BMW M3 Coupè – Test Drive

Powered by the V8 of 420 hp Marbella (Italy) – Its very name is a symbol for unique performance on the racetrack and in everyday traffic. For two decades, BMW M3 has embodied the athletic heart of the brand in its most fundamental and succinct form. Its dominating role in motor sports and the ultimate driving experience it affords the driver on the road are inseparably intertwined. The qualities on which this synthesis is founded have given the BMW M3 the exceptional status it enjoys the world over. At BMW M GmbH, engineers have persisted in continuing this success story with the presentation of the new BMW M3 Concept Car. The concept study being presented to the public for the first time at the 77th International Motor Show in Geneva (8th to 18th of March, 2007) gives a first impression of what a future BMW M3 might look like. Individualistic body with emotional aesthetics. In keeping with tradition, the engineers at BMW M GmbH developed the BMW M3 Concept Car as a fundamentally individualistic vehicle. The level of commitment to this approach is clearly demonstrated by its body. While it is based on the dimensions and the underlying form of the BMW 3 Series Coupé, virtually all body elements have been newly developed and designed from the ground up. Apart from the supporting vehicle structure, only the doors and the luggage compartment lid were taken over from the series model. The diffuser and the double exhaust tailpipes positioned close to the vehicle’s longitudinal axis appear to pull the rear together at the centre and build up a tension in conjunction with the horizontal lines of the bumper. The tailpipes have a round cross section and are cut off vertically, as is typical for BMW M GmbH engineering. Exclusive roof with visible carbon fibre structure There is hardly a body element in the BMW M3 Concept Car that exhibits the level of advanced technology as clearly as the roof. It is constructed of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). Specialists at the BMW Plant in Landshut, Germany, rely on an exclusive production method in which the structure of the Formula 1 material remains visible and the finely structured surface is only coated with a layer of clear finish. As a highly visible advanced technology component, the CFRP roof dominates the technically innovative appearance of the BMW M3 Concept Car. Seen from the side, it lets the roof edge appear flatter and thus lowers the perceived body height. Apart from the exclusive appearance, the CFRP roof also offers a real technical advantage: It is considerably lighter than a steel roof. This not only reduces the overall vehicle weight, but by reducing the weight of the highest element in the body, the centre of gravity is lowered as well. Thus, the reduction in weight at this location is particularly beneficial to the agility and dynamic performance of the vehicle. Underneath its clothes…. …There is an exceptional hearth: the M air-cooled 8 cylinders unit, which is even lighter than the previous 6 cylinders version. The new 8 cylinders unit can offer an horsepower output of 420 hp, and a peak torque of 400 Nm at 3.900 RPM. Moreover, BMW M3 is Euro 4, and it is equipped with six speed manual gear. Per formance are, of course, exceptional: the car can go from 0 to 100 in just 4,8 seconds, and it can reach a top speed unitl 250 km/h, electronically controlled. On the road At the beginning of our test, we have many questions: how this powertrain will be? Will this car a proper “naughty” sedan? Let’s try to give you some informations and answer all our questions. Firstly, the powetrain represents the most interesting part of this new Serie 3. Its behaviour perfectly follows the “M” tradition: feelings come at high speed, at around 8.400 Nm. Traditional (no RunFlat) Michelin tyres guarantee excellent performance, while, on the other hand, the steering wheel requires some kilometers to work well. Nevertheless, we found an immediate feeling with the transmission, starting from the manual gear, which shows to be perfect and precise. How much does it cost? According to the latest gossip, the new BMW M3 is supposed to be priced at around 67.900 euro, as far as the Italian market is concerned.