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Major Mojo: First look at the fourth-gen BMW M3

weaponX submitted on 04/03/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 12:50 PM
from: www.autoweek.com

[26] user comments | category: New Cars

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Major Mojo: First look at the fourth-gen BMW M3

By GREG KABLE

AutoWeek | Published 04/02/07, 10:55 am et

We suspect it might be something special, this new fourth-generation BMW M3. A car that takes the sonorous engine note, rabid performance, superb chassis balance, impressive build quality and pure technical brilliance of its predecessor and hauls every last nuance of it to a whole new plane. A car not so much to admire but to lust after. A car to thrust BMW’s M division ahead of Mercedes-Benz’s AMG and give the engineers at Audi Sport more than a few sleepless nights.

And special it is. Four weeks after BMW unveiled its M3 concept at the Geneva motor show, the German automaker is now revealing the production version of the 2009 M3 due to go on sale in North America in mid-2008.

As electrifying as the third-generation M3 was to drive, there was no way a mere upgrade would do for the fourth-gen model—not with heavy-hitting competition such as the Mercedes-Benz CLK63 Black Series and the Audi RS5 ready to join the party. Although BMW’s M division hasn’t deviated from the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive format that has underpinned every model, the new M3 appears to have evolved into something more grown-up. It’s still astonishingly quick from point to point and no doubt utterly decisive in its actions but perhaps a little more grand tourer and practicality than the out-and-out racer this time.

The story of the new M3 begins in 2002 with the M division’s decision to proceed with a 4.0-liter V8 engine in place of the outgoing model’s sublime 3.2-liter inline-six. “It wasn’t so much us thinking the new car needed a larger powerplant than news that the competition was preparing cars in excess of 400 hp,” says the company’s development boss, Gerhard Richter, adding, “To stay in the game, we simply needed a bigger engine with greater power.”

With work on the M5’s 5.0-liter V10 already well advanced at the time, it comes as no surprise to find the two engines share the 90-degree cylinder-bank angle and a lot of other common elements, including bore and stroke measurements, four-valve-per-cylinder layout and 12.0:1 compression ratio.

With double Vanos variable valve timing, individual throttle butterflies for each cylinder and highly sophisticated electronics capable of doling out a staggering 200 million operations per second, the new V8 is a classic piece of M division engineering—intended to be equally fit for the racetrack or the open road.

Thanks to the aluminum block, magnesium cam covers and aluminum-silicon alloy for the crankcase, the V8 weighs just 445 pounds—about 30 pounds less than the inline-six it replaces. With 420 hp at 8300 rpm, the new V8 delivers 77 hp more than its predecessor, while torque is up 26 lb-ft to 295 lb-ft at 3900 rpm.

The M3 is also a techno-marvel. BMW’s recently unveiled brake energy regeneration system stores power generated on a trailing throttle and under braking, using it to top up the battery when required rather than drawing precious power from the engine to spin the alternator. The new engine’s ability to rev to a stratospheric 8400 rpm is the real defining element, however. “It is what sets our cars apart,” says Richter.

Having experienced the raucous bark of the new V8 up close, we can confidently say it should possess the characteristic sharp throttle response and rev-driven attitude of the six-cylinder engine it replaces, combined with the added low-end punch and high-end heroics that come with the extra two cylinders and increased capacity.

The new car gets a six-speed manual gearbox with a revised 3.82:1 final drive, dumping power through a hydraulic differential providing 100 percent lockup to the rear wheels. The result, according to Richter, is a car that has lost none of its renowned traction qualities yet can be pushed into lurid powerslides despite the addition of nearly every driving aid in BMW’s new catalog—ABS, ASC, CBC and DSC for those keeping tabs. A double-clutch gearbox might be closer to introduction than first thought, since there will be no sequential-manual gearbox option.

M division design boss Ulf Weidhase modified the exterior to appear even tauter and more athletic than the standard car. Cues include a deep front spoiler carrying a trio of large ducts to feed air into the engine bay, a distinctive hood power dome, signature chrome gills behind the front wheel arches, widened fenders, an extended rear valance, four chromed tailpipes and 18-inch forged alloy wheels. The lightweight carbon-fiber-reinforced roof helps lower the center of gravity.

The production coupe shown here is the first of four M3 variants. A convertible, sedan and wagon also are in the works, the convertible fitted with a folding aluminum hard top.

BMW claims 0 to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds, 0.4 second quicker than the previous model. But don’t make the mistake of dwelling too much on the M3’s straight-line performance—handling and agility have always separated the M3 from its rivals. The latest model uses a combination of MacPherson struts up front and multlinks at the rear; however, the wheelbase is dramatically longer and wider, and the suspension geometry has been radically altered. Buyers will also be able to specify electronically controlled dampers providing three levels of firmness: normal, comfort and sport. They are chosen via the new MDrive button that also is used to alter engine mapping and steering response. Ventilated disc brakes measuring 14.1 inches up front and 13.8 inches at the rear complete the package.

The only question remaining is whether the sum of the new M3’s spectacularly sophisticated new parts can match its predecessors from the past 21 years. We hope looks—and hardware—aren’t deceiving.
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BMWM - 4/3/2007 1:05:26 PM

+8 Boost

IT'S GONNA BE A BEAST! I want one......*tear*

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AUTO_UNION - 4/3/2007 1:06:31 PM

+9 Boost

Everyone wants one of these!

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M53R - 4/3/2007 1:12:15 PMView My AgentSpace

+8 Boost

He meant people with a positive IQ; humans.

Terminal10 - 4/3/2007 1:17:39 PM

+5 Boost

This car is just awesome! I cannot wait till they get to test drive it.

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TheSailor - 4/3/2007 1:27:23 PMView My AgentSpace

+5 Boost

Want one, want one, want one!

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SilverAero - 4/3/2007 1:30:33 PM

+8 Boost

LexusKing, the IS-F is a riced up sedan you dumbass.

reply to this comment

SilverAero - 4/3/2007 10:11:14 PM

+4 Boost

Wipe your mouth LexusKing, you got a little bullshit hanging out.

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Terminal10 - 4/3/2007 4:20:37 PM

+3 Boost

I recently went to my BMW dealership and they told me that they will begin the build on the new M3 in January 2008 and they will be for sale in February 2008.

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S4cabriofoxone - 4/3/2007 5:28:43 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

I've seen about four "first looks..." but I still can't get enough of this car! The specs are intoxicating by themselves! 420hp, DSG/manual options, high-revving V8... BMW is super-aggressive with all their new engines, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

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investor27 - 4/3/2007 7:18:15 PM

+2 Boost

This M3 is going to cost around $59,000, which is the same cost for a Porsche Cayman S. Which would you rather have? A BMW or a Porsche?

reply to this comment

weaponX - 4/4/2007 10:20:25 AM

-2 Boost

I’m sorry but the flat-6 is a piece of cow dung compared to this new V8.

The 105 hp/litre figure is simply astonishing.

Even the last gen M3 inline-6, which won numerous engine of the year awards, put the Porsche flat-6 to shame.

MookGmbH - 4/3/2007 7:45:09 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Well... I had a hard time getting used to the Bangle-isms of the new BMWs. The "flame kissing" reminded me of a BK Whopper. Don't get me wrong I love the Roundel. Now I've come to life and seen the innovation taken by the brand. Props the the styling. There is nothing better than a shrieking V8 at high RPM. Its good to see that they used the technology from the M5's V10 and BMW Sauber's F1 division. BMW gets a +1 Boost.

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MunichRob - 4/4/2007 12:21:52 AMView My AgentSpace

+3 Boost

"LexusKing" what the hell do you think a riced up sedan is?

Ever seen Fast & the Furious, ever notice how the Lexus IS-F would fit the star role in the series next flick? Yeah right, that's because the IS-F is the most rice you can get in a production package.

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S4cabriofoxone - 4/4/2007 10:14:01 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

The bodykit on the SS is pretty modest. It just has a big wing.