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BMW M3 GTS – Click above for high-res image gallery
Well that was fast. As well it should be. Because what you're looking at is the most hardcore roadgoing M3 to date. It's called the GTS – not, as had been previously speculated, the CSL, GT or GT4 Street – and after seeing a few spy shots and some speculated details, BMW has just released its first official information on the most extreme machine in its stable.
The eye-catching orange paintjob is a throwback to extreme Bimmers of yore. But after you look past the timely Halloween color scheme, you'll notice a set of exclusive 19-inch competition alloys – coated with 225/35 rubber up front and 285/30 in the rear – protruding out of the bulging bodywork, housing six-piston calipers up front and four in the rear and mounted to yellow springs and an adjustable suspension. You can hardly miss the giant front splitter and rear wing protruding from either end, and the interior's been stripped down with contoured racing buckets, an emergency cut-off switch and a fire extinguisher taking the place of the air-con, nav and radio, along with mounting points for a roll cage and six-point harnesses and a Macrolon rear windscreen to replace the stock glass, helping the M3 GTS tip the scales at just 1490 kg (3285 lbs), some 419 lbs less than the stock M3 coupe's 3704-lb curb weight.
First deliveries are scheduled to begin in Germany next May, carrying a sticker price of 115,000 euros (about $170k) before taxes. Official engine specs haven't been released, but we're still looking at somewhere in the neighborhood of 450 horsepower from an enlarged 4.4-liter V8, driving through the Bavarian automaker's 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. That's about all Munich has given us so far, but we've got a gallery of photos and a video after the jump for your viewing pleasure.
damn i was just gonna post this.... i think neal has a spy in every auto company in the world.
Quote:
A year ago, BMW revealed it had no plans to produce a successor to the hardcore, lightweight, track-tuned M3 CSL. Today, we find the German manufacturer is preparing to launch the new M3 GTS -- another hardcore, lightweight, track-tuned M3.
Why the change in heart? From what we can glean from the M division's fan page, the answer is lap times -- Nürburgring lap times, to be exact. Not only has that figure become a status symbol of both a performance car's credentials, it also speaks to the abilities of a manufacturer's engineering and development skills. BMW wants to smash the ‘Ring time of the M3 CSL, which was reportedly able to lap the track in less than 8 minutes.
Let's start with what the folks at M added to the M3. Yes, there's the wild front diffuser and rear spoiler. Both are adjustable, and help force the bespoke 19-inch wheels to the ground. Those black wheels are wrapped with sticky 225/35 rubber up front, and 285/30 tires out back. M also fits a fully adjustable suspension, along with a fixed caliper brake system. (Each front caliper has six pistons; the rears sport four.)
M also manages to add a decent helping of power. The GTS uses the same 4.4-liter V-8 found in the M3, but power is boosted to nearly 450 hp. That figure eclipses the 414 hp produced in the stock road car, and approaches the 485 hp produced by the M3 GT2 race car. Unlike the GT2, which uses a sequential six-speed gearbox, the M3 GTS sports a tweaked form of the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission found on the base M3.
For all M manages to add to the M3, there's quite a bit it strips away. GTS cars do without air conditioning, radio, navigation systems, and a rear seat (M does fit a roll cage in the latter's place, however). Even the rear windows are devoid of glass; they're instead fashioned from a composite material. The diet seems to have helped, as approximately 419 pounds of content have been stripped from the car.
We wish we could bring you more specifications, but BMW has yet to officially (or completely, rather) launch the car. It does, however, state it plans on offering the car to German buyers in May 2010, with deliveries to the rest of Europe and other markets (not us, sadly) commencing in the summer. Pricing is expected to run approximately $171,000.
Whats the ****in point.. your buying a car thats useless on the street.. thats a track machine.. and for 170K you can buy a lot better
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For a company that earned its reputation years ago as "the Ultimate Driving Machine," BMW's more recent efforts seem to have been based around inherently less sporty vehicle formats – SUVs and wonky looking crossovers, namely. Further, like most everyone else, the automaker's roadsters and sports coupes have been getting bigger and heavier with each passing generation. But now, fans of lighter weight and higher performance have something to look forward to once again.
Last week, the Bavarian automaker released details and photos (and even a short teaser video) of the new M3 GTS. The track-bred, street-legal super-coupe packs an engorged 4.4-liter V8 in a lightweight frame with all the trimmings for serious tail-sliding and hardcore curb-pouncing. And now they've released a pair of videos showing the asphalt-munching street monster doing its thing. Follow the jump to check 'em out.
The dream is over. When dreams come true.
5. Nov. 09
There are some great dreams. But they’re just dreams - so you think. You’ve dreamt them so many times before. You wake up and say goodbye to them almost as if nothing had happened.
BMW M enthusiasts all over the world have a dream like this: a BMW M, consistently optimised for the race track. Pure M genes. A brilliant partner at the physical limits - away from public roads. Fast and honest. But registered for the best public roads, too. It's not where you go, but how you get there. Whether a demanding run on the race track or a pleasurable cruise along country roads and motorways.
And companies can dream, too. Sometimes they even have the same dreams as their customers and fans. In our particular case, this is hardly surprising as there's something which connects the two: pure M genes.
Then something amazing happens. You wake up and the dream doesn’t go away. It’s standing there right in front of you.
The BMW M3 GTS. Pure M genes.
All those who have been out to their garage to imagine what it would be like to see their BMW M3 GTS every morning after opening the door. And who look forward each time they do so to the moment when they can get in and fasten their seat belt in the body-contoured seat. And then close the door and concentrate on that incredible sound when the 4.4 l BMW M V8 high-performance engine roars for the first time. While they slowly place their hands on the Alcantara-covered steering wheel ...
All those who are already thinking about how they are going to be one of the first to be able to experience this sensation for themselves because they are the proud owner of the BMW M3 GTS ...
All those can register here. Among all those who are interested in the BMW M3 GTS we are holding a draw for places to attend the car’s first live presentation. Join the top management of BMW M GmbH and the project team and find out how nice it can be to wake up. When dreams come true.
I had to sign up for this forum just to respond to some of the ricer comments some of you ricers left. Some of you seem pretty cool but to those comments calling a car (a BMW M car for god's sake) crap is pure RICER especially when you throw in a few GTR comments here and there. Further this car is not a rumor, it's set for production and there's already 300 serious inquiries. Yes the car may be expensive for everyday people shopping for Maximas, Accords and even standard $75,000 M3s, but the niche market this product is made for don't care about the 170k pricetag. This car is mainly a statement by BMW to say look what we can do: make something superior to the previous E46 M3 CSL. BMW M thinks it will lap the ring at 7:40, the same as the 505HP Z06.
So quit with the uncle ben's and get a dose of reality. As fast as the GTR is around the ring, it still isn't a true driver's car. It's not me being biased as a fan of the M3, it's the reality. The same reality expressed by almost every single automotive journalist and tester. It's a fast balls to the walls car that drives itself with almost no driver input. All you Nissan fanbois know it's true.
M3 GTS is a piece of crap? hmmm and your 96 Maxima is what now?
I had to sign up for this forum just to respond to some of the ricer comments some of you ricers left. Some of you seem pretty cool but to those comments calling a car (a BMW M car for god's sake) crap is pure RICER especially when you throw in a few GTR comments here and there. Further this car is not a rumor, it's set for production and there's already 300 serious inquiries. Yes the car may be expensive for everyday people shopping for Maximas, Accords and even standard $75,000 M3s, but the niche market this product is made for don't care about the 170k pricetag. This car is mainly a statement by BMW to say look what we can do: make something superior to the previous E46 M3 CSL. BMW M thinks it will lap the ring at 7:40, the same as the 505HP Z06.
So quit with the uncle ben's and get a dose of reality. As fast as the GTR is around the ring, it still isn't a true driver's car. It's not me being biased as a fan of the M3, it's the reality. The same reality expressed by almost every single automotive journalist and tester. It's a fast balls to the walls car that drives itself with almost no driver input. All you Nissan fanbois know it's true.
M3 GTS is a piece of crap? hmmm and your 96 Maxima is what now?
The car itself isn't crap, its the price tag that makes it crap, even if you're really rich. The GTR at 80k is still faster, still looks better and will always be more exotic. And trust me this forum is ANYTHING except rice, so don't blurt out **** you don't know.
I had to sign up for this forum just to respond to some of the ricer comments some of you ricers left. Some of you seem pretty cool but to those comments calling a car (a BMW M car for god's sake) crap is pure RICER especially when you throw in a few GTR comments here and there. Further this car is not a rumor, it's set for production and there's already 300 serious inquiries. Yes the car may be expensive for everyday people shopping for Maximas, Accords and even standard $75,000 M3s, but the niche market this product is made for don't care about the 170k pricetag. This car is mainly a statement by BMW to say look what we can do: make something superior to the previous E46 M3 CSL. BMW M thinks it will lap the ring at 7:40, the same as the 505HP Z06.
So quit with the uncle ben's and get a dose of reality. As fast as the GTR is around the ring, it still isn't a true driver's car. It's not me being biased as a fan of the M3, it's the reality. The same reality expressed by almost every single automotive journalist and tester. It's a fast balls to the walls car that drives itself with almost no driver input. All you Nissan fanbois know it's true.
M3 GTS is a piece of crap? hmmm and your 96 Maxima is what now?
If somebody handed this car to me for free, well than thats great BUT I have many other cars that I would rather own before this one... Many under the $170k price tag. Why are you calling this peoples opinions "RICER?" Just because somebody likes a GTR or something better? Who are you? Do you even own a maxima?
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I had to sign up for this forum just to respond to some of the ricer comments some of you ricers left. Some of you seem pretty cool but to those comments calling a car (a BMW M car for god's sake) crap is pure RICER especially when you throw in a few GTR comments here and there. Further this car is not a rumor, it's set for production and there's already 300 serious inquiries. Yes the car may be expensive for everyday people shopping for Maximas, Accords and even standard $75,000 M3s, but the niche market this product is made for don't care about the 170k pricetag. This car is mainly a statement by BMW to say look what we can do: make something superior to the previous E46 M3 CSL. BMW M thinks it will lap the ring at 7:40, the same as the 505HP Z06.
So quit with the uncle ben's and get a dose of reality. As fast as the GTR is around the ring, it still isn't a true driver's car. It's not me being biased as a fan of the M3, it's the reality. The same reality expressed by almost every single automotive journalist and tester. It's a fast balls to the walls car that drives itself with almost no driver input. All you Nissan fanbois know it's true.
M3 GTS is a piece of crap? hmmm and your 96 Maxima is what now?
I can say with confidence, that a m3 at even 75k is over priced. if you took any vehicle in the m3's class and basically gutted it and made a barely street legal vehicle out of it you dont think it would be fast as well? if you gutted a 335i coupe and gave it a race prep treatment with a few more psi it would give this car a real run of its money. a c63 with this treatment would be absurd. but none of those cars would be able to justify a 170k price point due to its performance. maybe because of how rare it is, but performance wise if this 170k m3 and a gt-r were on any track together the gt-r would prob push it from start to finish line. let alone bring something nuts like a zr-1 or a acr onto the same track. a 7:40 time isnt worth 170k, if it pulled a 6:40 then it would be bargin of the century.
you have way to much time on your hands to run over here signing up to make that post.
also this 170k m3 seems to have the same fatal flaw as the gt-r which renders both of them unable to be called drivers cars.... they lack a clutch pedal.
now that i think of it, if this is supposed to be a street version of the gt2 m3 which really isnt winning alot of races, if gm/porsche/ferrari made street versions of their gt2 vehicles they would at least be able to demand 170k money since it WINS on race day.
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Exclusive: See the BMW M3 GTS live.
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