Autoblog

Pics Aplenty: BMW celebrates 40 years of M

Jeff Sabatini — Wed, 16 May 2012 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Performance, BMW, Luxury

When we think of the BMW M division, the 1978 M1 comes instantly to mind, followed by the E30 M3 and then the 2001-2002 M Coupe. But the company's in-house hot rod shop actually dates back to 1972, when it was formed as a subsidiary to manage the company's racing operations, dubbed BMW Motorsport.

It was this month 40 years ago that what is known today as BMW M GmbH was launched. So to celebrate its anniversary, BMW has offloaded some 50 lustworthy images celebrating that performance history. See them all in our gallery.

Pics Aplenty: BMW celebrates 40 years of M originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 May 2012 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW 1M Coupe chases M3 CSL around the Nürburgring

Zach Bowman — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe, BMW

When BMW finally revealed just all that there is to love about the 1M Coupe, plenty of onlookers immediately began debating whether or not they'd lay claim to the baby M or the legendary M3 if it were their cash on the line. We're still not entirely sure where we'd put our hardly earned money if it came right down to it, and the video after the jump doesn't make the decision any easier. In it, a professional race driver takes to the helm of the newest addition to the M stable in an attempt to keep pace with an experienced M3 CSL driver around the infamous Nurburgring.

How's that for a match made in Germany?

The two BMW heathens fight their way through traffic and generally have a good go at one another. Officially, the M3 CSL carries a 'Ring time of 7:50 while the 1M Coupe can do the deed in 8:15, though in this case, the driver of the smaller M says he thinks he can break eight minutes in his steed with a little practice. Hit the jump to check it out for yourself.

Continue reading BMW 1M Coupe chases M3 CSL around the Nürburgring

BMW 1M Coupe chases M3 CSL around the Nürburgring originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW won't market an M3 GTS sedan... at least, not in the U.S.

Noah Joseph — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:21:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Europe, BMW

BMW M3 Sedan lightweight concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

You may recall that earlier this month, BMW revealed a unique M3 Sedan that had been stripped of weight and toughened up, packing the same sort of approach applied to the hard-core M3 GTS coupe, albeit with a couple of extra doors. The one-off was made for the M Festival set to take place during the 24 Hours of Nürburgring this coming June, but naturally, speculation on its production potential has ensued.

The good folks over at M3Post pinned down Matt Russell, the guy who handles the M range (along with Alpina) for BMW North America, and asked him about the lightweight M3 sedan's future, and according to him, there are no plans to market such a vehicle in the United States. Naturally, Russell didn't comment on markets outside his purview, neatly avoiding comment on whether the hardcore sedan will be available somewhere. But given the short time remaining in the current M3's lifespan and the stringencies of U.S. regulations, any such vehicle apparently isn't fated for these shores.

Elsewhere in the interview, Russell professed his admiration for the all-wheel drive system developed by Ferrari for the new FF. Could BMW incorporate AWD into future M products? Potentially, but as with the lightweight M3 sedan, the extra heft would be an issue.

Gallery: Lightweight BMW M3 Sedan

[Source: M3Post via Motor Authority]

BMW won't market an M3 GTS sedan... at least, not in the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 14:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW M3 GTS unveiled!

Noah Joseph — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:55:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, BMW

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.

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Rumormill: $170k BMW M3 GT/GT4 Street probably not coming to U.S.

Noah Joseph — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:20:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, BMW

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.

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Spy Shots: BMW resurrecting the M3 CSL?

Noah Joseph — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, BMW

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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REPORT: BMW cancels development of E92 M3 CSL

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:55:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, BMW, Specialty

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]

REPORT: BMW cancels development of E92 M3 CSL originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: BMW M3 CSL

Noah Joseph — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, BMW, Rendered Speculation, Rumormill

Lighter means faster. If you have yet to grasp that concept, have a look at the Ferrari 430 Scuderia, Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera or Porsche 911 GT3 RS - each capable of leaving the heavier versions of each lightning-quick sportscar on which they're based in the dust. The performance gap is widened not by more power, but by a higher power-to-weight ratio resulting from an aggressive kilo-trimming program. Another in their ranks: the gone-but-not-forgotten, previous-generation BMW M3 CSL. By removing a bit of excess weight, the CSL was capable of outgunning its heavier counterpart by a considerable margin (how does a 7:22.8 'Ring lap sound?).

It's been just under a year since M-guru Gerhard Richter promised us a new M3 CSL based on the new V8 model, but aside from a few spy shots here and there, we've yet to see one materialize so far. To keep our appetites whet, German car mag Autozeitung put out this rendering of what the new CSL could look like, complete with carbon-fiber hood, a more aggressive front bumper and some new vents. Close enough to the mark? We'll just have to wait and see.

[Source: Autozeitung via CarScoop]

Rendered Speculation: BMW M3 CSL originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New 'Ring record: BMW M3 CSL laps in 7:22.8 seconds

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:27:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions, Etc.

The era of 'Ring attacks has begun. Next atop the heap of Nord-lappers is a lightweight, supercharged BMW M3 CSL that took a full five seconds off the Pagani Zonda F's best run. The car has, of course, been modified, but the changes aren't outrageous -- you might see more extreme mods at your local M3 gathering.

The incredible thing is that the car puts out 532.7 rear-wheel horsepower and weighs 3,139 pounds with thirty liters of fuel. That means it has 70 fewer HP and weighs 400 pounds more than the Pagani Zonda F it dethroned. The car can't be faster down the straights, so this must be all in the corners. We wouldn't mind seeing videos of the two laps side-by-side to find out where the BMW leaves its Italian competition behind.

And get this: you can win this car in an auction. The Loaded.se team is putting the car up via bid2aid.com, and to win you have to place the lowest unique bid. That means that whatever you bid needs to be the only bid of that amount. Crazy concept for an auction, so good luck with your bid of $.02. Check out the video after the jump and see what you think.

Thanks for the tip, Maestro1!

[Source: Carscoop]

Continue reading New 'Ring record: BMW M3 CSL laps in 7:22.8 seconds

New 'Ring record: BMW M3 CSL laps in 7:22.8 seconds originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Enter the rumormill: Lexus IS-F Evo in the works?

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 08:06:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Lexus

In an attempt to steal another page out of BMW's sport sedan playbook, rumors have surfaced that Lexus is in the process of developing a lightweight version of the IS-F, in the same vein as the M3 CSL. Internally dubbed the IS-F Evo, this limited edition sedan will benefit from an expensive diet, including lots of fiber (the carbon kind) and a bare-bones interior.

The reduced weight, combined with the 400 HP V8, is expected to drop the 0-60 time to below five seconds and on to a top speed of 155 MPH. Naturally, there's no word on pricing, but according to AutoExpress, it should arrive at dealers sometime in 2009.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Enter the rumormill: Lexus IS-F Evo in the works? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Mar 2007 08:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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