Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[BMW M3 GTS unveiled!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/bmw-m3-gts-unveiled/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/bmw-m3-gts-unveiled/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/bmw-m3-gts-unveiled/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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.


Gallery: BMW M3 GTS



[Source: BMW M division]

Continue reading BMW M3 GTS unveiled!

BMW M3 GTS unveiled! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbmw m3bmw m3 cslbmw m3 gtbmw m3 gt4bmw m3 gt4 streetbmw m3 gtsBmwM3BmwM3CslBmwM3GtBmwM3Gt4BmwM3Gt4StreetBmwM3Gtsbreakingm3m3 cslm3 gtm3 gt4m3 gt4 streetm3 gtsM3CslM3GtM3Gt4M3Gt4StreetM3GtsvideoWed, 04 Nov 2009 13:55:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19223302/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/04/bmw-m3-gts-unveiled/19223302/article-detail.xml 19223302 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/bmwm3gts000_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/bmwm3gts000_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Rumormill: $170k BMW M3 GT/GT4 Street probably not coming to U.S.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/03/rumormill-170k-bmw-m3-gt-gt4-street-probably-not-coming-to-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/03/rumormill-170k-bmw-m3-gt-gt4-street-probably-not-coming-to-u-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/03/rumormill-170k-bmw-m3-gt-gt4-street-probably-not-coming-to-u-s/#commentsFiled under: , ,


BMW M3 GT4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

No three letters get Bimmer fans as riled up as CSL. The initials have historically been applied to lightweight, performance-focused versions of BMW's most extreme machinery. But while BMW isn't currently offering any CSL models for public consumption, the emergence of an M5 CSL and spy shots of a potential M3 CSL have Munich's followers frothing at the mouth.

The former turned out to be a one-of-a-kind special. But details on the latter are beginning to circulate, and they look promising. Firstly, sources suggest that the model won't wear the CSL designation at all, and instead be labeled either M3 GT or M3 GT4 Street, in reference to the homologated racing version.

First, the good stuff: the engine is tipped to be tuned in the neighborhood of 450 horsepower, give or take, driven exclusively through the 7-speed dual clutch transmission with no manual expected to be on offer. Stopping power is anticipated to come from Brembo 6-piston calipers up front and 4-pots in the rear gripping slotted steel discs, and while carbon-ceramics may be on the options list, the jury's still out on when BMW will roll out the production version of its F1-derived Kinetic Energy Recovery System, a.k.a. regenerative braking. Recaro buckets and the removal of the rear seats should help the M3 GT (or whatever it will be called) shed some 220 lbs of weight, sitting 25mm lower on BBS alloys mounted to a Sachs suspension with standard roll bars.

The prototype is said to have already lapped the Nurburgring in 7:40, with testing still underway in France. Targeting the Porsche 911 GT3, the hard-core M3 will be extremely limited in production - possibly as few as 25 examples annually - available directly from BMW Motorsport but certified for road use - at a price point hovering around 110,000 euros ($172k). Unfortunately, the signs suggest that it won't be making the transatlantic voyage Stateside. Thanks to Tim for the tip!

[Source: M3Post.com]

Rumormill: $170k BMW M3 GT/GT4 Street probably not coming to U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbmw cslbmw mbmw m3bmw m3 cslbmw m3 gtbmw m3 gt4bmw m3 gt4 streetbmw motorsportBmwCslBmwMBmwM3BmwM3CslBmwM3GtBmwM3Gt4BmwM3Gt4StreetBmwMotorsportcslm cslm3m3 cslm3 gtm3 gt4m3 gt4 streetM3CslM3GtM3Gt4M3Gt4StreetMCslTue, 03 Nov 2009 13:20:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19220304/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/03/rumormill-170k-bmw-m3-gt-gt4-street-probably-not-coming-to-u-s/19220304/article-detail.xml 19220304 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/01-bmw-m3-gt4_opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/01-bmw-m3-gt4_opt.jpg <![CDATA[Spy Shots: BMW resurrecting the M3 CSL?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/20/bmw-m3-csl-spy-shots-1/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/20/bmw-m3-csl-spy-shots-1/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/20/bmw-m3-csl-spy-shots-1/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

We're not sure what to believe anymore. A bit over a year ago, reports surfaced that BMW was planning a successor to the E90-generation M3 CSL, a highly coveted, track-focused version of its legendary sports coupe. Within a month, the Bavarian automaker had announced that it was canceling the program. And then these photos show up.

This M3 test mule was seen lapping the Nürburgring with a host of modifications and little in the way of camouflage. Knowing full well that the Nordschleife is swarming with more papparazi than Lindsay Lohan's front lawn, the Bavarians had to know we'd start asking questions. The car in question appears to be sporting a big front splitter, giant rear wing, a wider track housing bigger wheels and semi-slick tires. Underneath, reports suggest the 4.0-liter V8 benefits from new valves and a carbon-fiber airbox to deliver some 470 horsepower.

Call it an M3 CSL or a roadgoing M3 GT4, but with Audi's upcoming RS5 just around the corner, the smart money's on BMW putting up a fight of some kind.

[Source: NextAutos]

Spy Shots: BMW resurrecting the M3 CSL? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW M3 GT4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Although BMW's M division may have arguably veered off course with the recent introduction of the X5M and X6M, well-to-do M-ophiles may have something to look forward to in the form of a M3 GT4 available to consumers.

Campaigned at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring this past May, the GT4 variant of BMW's V8-powered M3 is fitted with all the race-ready kit you'd expect in something developed to tackle the Green Hell, including an Ohlins suspension setup, aerodynamic enhancements, a full roll cage, airjack system, race buckets and a modified engine and transmission. "It would be specifically for motorsport drivers," BMW's M division head, Dr. Kay Segler told Autoblog. Translation: Don't expect to see this car on the street - it's a trackday toy or competition-only machine.

Although the trigger hasn't been pulled, Segler said it's being actively considered. If we had to bet, we'd expect the GT4 to be available to gentlemen racers sometime in 2010.


Gallery: BMW M3 GT4

BMW considering offering M3 GT4 to gentlemen racers originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbmw m3 gt4BmwM3Gt4gt4m3Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19088386/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/07/07/bmw-considering-offering-m3-gt4-to-gentlemen-racers/19088386/article-detail.xml 19088386 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/02-bmw-m3-gt4-580op_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/02-bmw-m3-gt4-580op.jpg <![CDATA[BMW M3 GT4 to campaign in Nurburgring 24-hour enduro]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/10/bmw-m3-gt4-to-campaign-in-nurburgring-24-hour-enduro/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/10/bmw-m3-gt4-to-campaign-in-nurburgring-24-hour-enduro/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/10/bmw-m3-gt4-to-campaign-in-nurburgring-24-hour-enduro/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


BMW M3 GT4 - Click above for a high-res image gallery

BMW is far and away the most prolific automaker at the annual 24-hour Nurburgring race, with 114 class victories over the event's 29-year history and almost one-third of last year's field comprised of Bimmers. This year, BMW's Customer Racing program will partner with Schubert Motorsport to bring out a BMW M3 GT4 to campaign in the GT4 class, with FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) drivers Agusto Farfus, Jorg Muller and Andy Priaulx joining two journalists from German magazine Sport Auto.

The M3 GT4, which benefits from all the race-ready hardware you'd expect in a vehicle prepped for a 24-hour enduro, made its debut at last weekend's ADAC Westfalenfahrt at the 'Ring, taking the win in the SP10 class and finishing 30th overall. The M3 will be back at the Nordschleife for the 24 hour race the weekend of May 23 and 24.


Gallery: BMW M3 GT4

BMW M3 GT4 to campaign in Nurburgring 24-hour enduro originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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