Autoblog

There were around 1,400 examples of the BMW e46 M3 CSL built, and by all accounts they were exceptionally well received. However, according to Ludwig Willisch, the boss of the automaker's M division, the current e92 M3 won't get the same treatment. He – or perhaps the accountants – feel that "based on current numbers, there is most likely insufficient demand for the M3 CSL."

If a current scorching version of the e92 were to exist, it would have been bumped by anywhere from 36 to 56 horsepower, shed 200 pounds or more, worn some different tires and a set of bigger lungs. In light of the possible volume, though, which would be small, BMW – or again, its accountants – would rather focus on the X6 and X5 for now. Thanks for the tip, Mike!

[Source: Car]

Click above to view the BMW M3 ad.

Ever since Industrial Light and Magic dropped Jurassic Park onto the scene, it's rare to see a movie, TV show or advertisement that doesn't involve some form of CGI. It's amazing what can be done by a handful of programmers and a case of RedBull, but something gets lost in translation when computerized effects are used in place of their analog forbearers. The advertising firm IdeaCity recognized this and melded high-tech wizardry with old-school filmmaking to create an absolutely beautiful ad for BMW's new M3.

The edifice for the spot began with a tour of BMW's M facility in Munich, where the IdeaCity crew studied the inner workings of the M3's 4.0-liter V8. They had three complete engines shipped out to Belgium, where manifolds were cut, cylinders were shaved and lighting holes were drilled to mount special cameras, lenses and lights. After two weeks of intensive study and preparation, the team took another four, 20-hour days to film what happens inside the 420 hp mill during a single revolution. The completed spot was filmed at 10,000 frames-per-second and doesn't utilize any form of computer-generated effects. We've already watched it a half a dozen times and we think you'll do the same. Check it after the jump.

click above for more high-res images of the BMW M3 Convertible

Honestly, we couldn't care less about BMW's recent introduction of the M3 convertible. What did get our attention is the long-awaited addition of a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox on every vehicle donning an M3 badge.

The M DKG setup uses two clutches with 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th (plus reverse) on one shaft and 2nd, 4th and 6th on the other. Both clutches are oil-cooled and, like the systems offered by other manufacturers, the dual-clutch setup offers both quicker shifts and better fuel economy.

In typical BMW fashion, you'll have the option to select several different drive settings both in automatic and manual mode. Five shift programs can be selected when running around in the standard work-a-day auto setting, while six shifting selections can be made in manual, including the always entertaining launch control setting.

There's no doubt that all of this will be an improvement over BMW's SMG transmission, but we'll have to wait until next month to see how the DKG setup handles the rigors of track duty, the daily grind and performance tests.

BMW's full press release is posted after the jump.

Click the image above for plenty of high-res pics.

If you've got a hankering for a V8-powered, carbon fiber-roofed über 3-series, BMW has finally named its price for the M3 coupe and sedan. $57,275 will buy you entry into the M3 Coupe, and bargain hunters willing to settle for an extra pair of doors can get the M3 Sedan in their driveway for $54,575. The M3's come a long way since it's E30 homologation-special roots. The cylinder count has now doubled from that original car, the long serving six cylinders having been jettisoned in favor of a 414 horsepower V8. The interior of the new M3s is a level of luxury unknown to the E30, too. The optional wheel-mounted M-Drive control will allow the driver to customize engine and chassis responses, and iDrive shuffles media and navigation chores. These prices will likely be less than what typical M3s roll off the lot for, as most buyers will want to add some options, and in the world of BMW, options cost.

Press release after the jump.

The Essen Motor Show in Germany has become one of the major outlets for Europe's aftermarket tuners to show their wares to a dedicated fan base. Among the many models set to make their modified debut in the land of schnitzel and spatzel is the AC Schnitzer BMW E92 M3.

Details are scarce on what's been done to the suspension and under the hood, but if the exterior enhancements are any indication, we'd expect the folks at AC to bring their trademark blend of functionality and style into a comprehensive whole. Carbon fiber adorns the front splitter and side skirts, and we'd suspect that a C.F. rear diffuser is mounted out back – all of which ties in nicely to the exposed weave on the roof. The larger rolling stock (20s?) is typical Schnitzer style and the lowered ride height is likely a coilover system derived from their standard E92 setup.

As soon as AC Schnitzer releases its official details, we'll have more.

[Source: Motor Authority]

When it comes to comprehensive suspension tuning, Hotchkis has established itself as a premium player for both domestic and imported performance rides. Their WRX sway bars have proven to be some of the strongest and lightest on the market (not to mention three-way adjustable), and they've constantly been ahead of the curve by offering new products for vehicles soon after they appear on the market. Unfortunately, they're not as good about keeping their website up-to-date or being able to rattle off the diameter of their sway bars when inquiring minds, well... inquire.

Regardless, by the end of 2007 Hotchkis will begin offering sway bars for the E92 BMW 335i and they've got prototype bars for the Infiniti G37, due to be on sale in the beginning of 2008. They're already offering Stage One kits (springs and sway bars) for the Volkswagen GLI and the new Scion xB, and have begun to sell sway bars for both the Mazdaspeed3 and Audi RS4.

Click image for gallery

Dutch speeders take note: the police have a new weapon in which to chase you down and write you tickets. And with its 420-horsepower V8, it's more than capable as a pursuit vehicle. The car, of course, is the new 2008 BMW M3, and if the burnout shot at right is any indication, the officers who get to drive the car are probably going to have a little more fun with it than the average patrol car. That's what we call a favorable work environment. And here we think it's cool when our local police departments get Chargers.

UPDATE: From a commenter - "It was a stunt from the local BMW dealer for the national police day, they removed the stickers the next day...same thing happened last year when the KLPD got a Spyker for a day."

Back to Opels (or whatever) for you, coppers!

Thanks for the tip, Lou.

[Source: M3Post]

The expansion of BMW's M3 lineup is expected to take place sooner than we anticipated, and a new version of the Bavarian bomber will finally put the oft-maligned sequential gearbox to rest. According to Auto Telegraaf, BMW will be debuting the M3 sedan at a major Stateside auto show, likely L.A. or Detroit, and along with an extra set of doors, it'll be sporting the automaker's new dual-clutch gearbox. Rumored to be dubbed "M DCT," the new 'box will get seven forward gears that can be controlled by either a new shift lever, much like the one found in the new X5, or steering-wheel mounted paddles shifters. BMW also plans to offer a traditional six-speed manual for those who prefer to row their own gears.

The regularly spied convertible version of the M3 is also on its way, which is proving to be an engineering challenge for the M-division due to the extra tonnage the retractable hardtop tacks onto the curb weight. We've heard that a track-bred CSL is also under development, and that its debut is likely to take place some time in 2009.

[Source: Auto Telegraaf via Motor Authority]

Our friend Jason tipped us off to several photos at M3post.com, purportedly showing a prototype of the E92 M3 CSL making the rounds at the 'Ring. While we're not entirely convinced that this particular mule is the CSL, some cues, like the ducktail spoiler and what appears to be a wider track, make us think thrice.

If it is the M3 CSL, which BMW has practically admitted is coming, expect it to drop a few pounds and come equipped with more track-friendly accoutrements. Realtor's wives need not apply.

[Source: M3post.com]

click above image to view a gallery of the new BMW M3

Since its creation, nearly everything about the M3 -- cylinders, horsepower, weight, price, you name it -- has grown. The 2,866-lb, 4-cylinder, 192-hp E30 M3 cost a little more than $30,000 dollars when it was new, and sold 18,000 units. The new E92 M3 weighs in at 3,650 lbs with its 420-hp 8-cylinder lump, and will leave you more than $60,000 dollars lighter. It's more than twice the car at more than twice the money, and BMW wants to move more than five times as many of them, hoping to shift 100,000 models.

Said Carsten Pries of the M division, "With every new model, we want to offer a better product and sell more." That's only a 10,000 unit increase on the 3rd generation M3 that ceased production last year. With the variants to be offered on the new model, reaching the goal shouldn't be a challenge. But the move to a greater mass market draw also explains the pealing choir of journalists declaring that while it's still a fantastic driver's car and a lot of fun... it's soft. Of course, "soft" is a relative term in this case, and there could be worse things than having to see more M3s on the road.

[Source: Auto News]