BMW BLOG

MotoGP World Champion, Valentino Rossi, was one of the first people to test drive the new almighty BMW M3 GTS. BMW M Power is the ffficial Safety Car provider of the MotoGP World Championship and several M models have been used throughout the season.

Coinciding with the BMW M award prize giving to this year’s Best Qualifier, Rossi was also treated with a few laps around the Ricardo Tormo circuit in the new M3 GTS.

In an interview for MotoGP, Ross says “It was amazing in the GTS, just amazing. It was great, especially under braking with the light weight that it has”.

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So with BMW bringing out the new E92 M3 GTS, I thought to myself, “Well, here’s the closest thing to a CSL we’ll see from BMW for the current M3.” But then I started thinking, “Could this actually be closer to that of the E46 M3 GTR?”

The GTR was made in such limited numbers that only five are believed to be in existence. The GTR was also the first factory V8 powered M3. It had a a 4.0L V8 producing roughly 380hp DIN and 288lb-ft of torque (DIN is the modern German standard for horsepower ratings. It can be seen as DIN or PS. It also is measured in Metric Horsepower, instead of the American way of Mechanical Horsepower. DIN hp is measured at the output shaft.), or roughly 374hp in our standard. All this was to power an amazingly light car of only 2,976lbs.

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Our friends over at BMW.tv are back with two new videos of the spectacular BMW M3 GTS. As always, you’re among the first to enjoy this footage and believe us, it is absolutely worth it.

For those of you that missed our previous coverage on the BMW M3 GTS, here is the summary. M3 GTS is powered by a 4.4-litre V8 based on the 4.0-liter engine found in the standard M3. Maximum power is 450 horsepower, 36 ponies more than than the regular model, and the transmission is the 7-speed M dual clutch transmission (M-DCT) with adapted shift characteristics.

Suspension upgrades include the utilisation of yellow springs for a threaded suspension while the rear axle support is said to be bolted in place. The big rear wing and front splitter are both adjustable for increased cornering precision, handling and performance. BMW M3 GTS is all about weight reduction and features several design elements made out of carbon fiber, starting with the roof. M3 GTS weights 1490 kg (3285 lbs), 419 lbs less than the stock M3 coupe’s 3704-lb curb weight.

The GTS sits on exclusive 19-inch aluminum wheels wrapped by 255/35 front and 285/30 rear tires. First deliveries are scheduled to begin in Germany next May, carrying a sticker price of 115,000 euros (about $170k).

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At the Frankfurt Auto Show, BMW introduced a limited edition of the popular BMW M6 model. Along with some specific features for this limited model, BMW also introduced the Frozen Grey mate finish paint.

A few weeks later, a BMW fans posted the first photos of an M3 featuring the same paint. The Frozen Grey paint is an Individual Color based on Space Grey Metallic. A special matte clear coat (FF95-0550) makes for the matte finish.

Earlier this week, two members of m3post published photos of their M3 Coupe models at the BMW Welt. Nothing special so far, some of you might say, but when we add the Frozen Grey mate finish to them, they suddenly becomes somewhat special.

According to them, BMW Individual produced only 30 M3’s in Frozen Grey for the world market in October. Along with this Individual finish, both of them decided to add the “Edition” black wheels as well, giving the M3 one of the best looks we’ve seen.

BMW M GmbH now offers a truly outstanding performer based on the BMW M3 Coupé also ideal for Clubsport events – exactly the right car for the truly discerning customer demanding the very utmost in terms of power and performance. The BMW M3 GTS is largely hand-built by the most skilled craftsmen at BMW M GmbH as a perfectly harmonised package of outstanding modifications, with production exclusively to the customer’s personal order. Focused on motorsport, the modifications comprise both the drivetrain, the suspension and the body of the car, as well as its interior. Market launch of the BMW M3 GTS will be in spring 2010.

Offering this truly exclusive model for the genuine motorsport enthusiast, BMW M GmbH is continuing a great tradition introduced on former generations of the BMW M3. Once again, the outstanding sports potential of the BMW M3 is being consistently enhanced and upgraded to an even higher level, the customer benefiting from the Company’s wide range of know-how in the development and production of racing cars. Through its race-oriented modifications enhancing both performance and safety, the BMW M3 GTS is ready to go in Clubsport events on the track and comes with the option for homologation on the road. So that the driver is able to make his way to the race track in the very same car he will use for racing.

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Beside being a very charismatic person, Dr. Kay Segler is also a huge car enthusiast. Coming from the MINI brand where he oversaw the Coopers and Cooper S Works development, Segler took the reign at the Motorsport division in May 2009 and during this short period, two production M cars were launched, X5 M and X6 M, and also the one-off M5 “CSL”. While these projects started prior to his involvement at the M division, several new products under his command will be launched in the near future.

The fellows over at M-Power sat down with Dr. Segler for an interview on the new BMW M3 GTS and the future of his division.

Just half a year has passed since he took up his position as CEO in May 2009, and the BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M have been launched as new models during this period. So it’s time to ask Dr. Kay Segler where BMW M is heading.

MPW: Dr. Segler, BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M deviate from a number of dogmas. Turbo, all-wheel drive, automatic transmission – is this the new M?

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Earlier today, BMW unveiled one of the most exciting models we have seen this year or….maybe even in the last few years:  BMW M3 GTS. As any bimmer enthusiasts, we get excited about new M products and the M3 has been one of our all time favorite cars. For those of you that missed our previous M3 GTS coverage, feel free to go scan through our previous articles.

Without any further ado, let’s have a look at the interview with Markus Schadow, the man responsible for the BMW M aerodynamics development, courtesy of M-Power:

MPW: Mr. Schadow, the BMW M3 GTS has clearly visible dynamic measures with its front splitter and rear wing.  The aerodynamics of the BMW M3 GTS is clear for all to see. Optimised for downforce. Why?

Schadow: The power which can be transferred from the contact area of the tyres to the road depends on tyre properties, the position of the tyre on the road  – i.e. axle kinematics – and the wheel vertical force. Our measures are all about increasing the wheel vertical force. The higher the wheel vertical force, the higher the level of longitudinal and transverse acceleration which can be achieved.

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Even when you see it from a distance, you are instantly electrified. As a BMW M enthusiast, every step you take towards the orange painted concept vehicle of the BMW M3 GTS with its numerous matt black applications raises your adrenaline level a little more.

Exclusive 19-inch wheels with ample 225/35 tyres at the front and 285/30 at the rear catch your eye.

All this is certainly nice looking and sensible, but what you glimpse through the spokes of the aluminium wheel rims is even more exciting: a generously sized fixed caliper brake system with six pistons at the front and four at the rear.

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And here it is ladies and gentlemen, the first video of the BMW M3 GTS…yes, the name is GTS and not CSL or GT4 as many of us believed it will be.

Thousands of BMW M fans worldwide have been waiting for the BMW M3 GTS. It’s a pure high performance car. Optimized for race tracks, but street-legal.

The video is courtesy of BMW Youtube Channel.

Stay tuned for more exclusive information in the next hours…it will be worth it.

First BMW M3 GTS photos

Update below Last week, GM’s former vice-chairman Bob Lutz threw a challenge at everyone interested to compete against the Cadillac CTS-V. Car owners, journalists or anyone interested on taking on the CTS-V, were invited to sign up for the event taking place on October 29th at New York’s Monticello Motor Club on a 4.1-mile track.

Journalists and “regular” car owners brought out a variety of cars to challenge the Cadillac CTS-V, from BMW M3 and M5, to Mitsubishi Evo, Jaguar XF and even Audi RS4.

Prior to the race, Car and Driver Editor-in-Chief Csaba Csere was on track to verify that all sedans are at stock options.

While the M5 came a bit short of Lutz’s CTS-V, 3:05:398 vs. 2:56:321, Michael Cooper, a 21 year old driver, and his BMW M3 sedan defeated the CTS-V driven by Lutz, with an impressive 2:50:424 lap time.

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