THE BENCHMARK IS BACK: The new M3

[Lord Deacon Of Frost]

For some reason I kinda like the exterior (dont start D!  :wink: )

It's finally here. After a seriously protracted gestation - and with BMW still smarting after losing its crown to Audi's RS4 - the M3 has arrived.

And it looks good. BMW has succeeded in melding the lines of the 3-Series with the styling cues we expect from the M-division - side gills, fat front fender and that beautiful bonnet bulge.

But the big news is what's hiding under that bonnet bulge - a 420bhp V8. BMW has finally ditched its tried-and-tested V6 and upgraded to a 4.0-litre eight-cylinder engine.

That's a big move. Purists worried that the extra coupe of cylinders would make the M3 front-heavy, but the V8 is actually 15kg lighter than the outgoing six-cylinder engine.

It's one hell of an engine, too. The crankcase is made from an aluminium-silicon alloy that does away with the need for cylinder liners by allowing the pistons to run directly into the cylinder bores.

The V8 also gets BMW's variable double-VANOS camshaft control, which keeps valve timing quick and improves engine output and torque.

Each cylinder gets an individual throttle butterfly, too, giving a more immediate reaction at low revs.

Technical, yes, but what it means is that the M3 can serve up 85 per cent of its peak torque - 295lb ft of the stuff - across the entire rev band.

The M3 should have the real-world performance to go with the stats, too. With the exception of the doors, bootlid and lights, all the rest of the M3's body components have been developed bespoke.

Most importantly, that includes the carbon-fibre roof promised in the concept. Not only does it look cool, it'll keep the M3's centre of gravity low.

So will the M3 live up to our expectations? And more important, will it topple the benchmark RS4? We'll find out when we drive it this summer.

Bring it on...

[Lord Deacon Of Frost]

bump  

[Deuce'sScoundral]

FINALLY, I'm tired of bloody Audi's and Merc's murkin BMW- THE BAVARIAN STRIKES BACK BITCH!

[Lord Deacon Of Frost]

WILL YOU LOOK AT THAT

Derived from the potent 5.0L V10 engine used in the larger M5 and M6, the new V8 unit will displace 4.0L and produce its peak 420hp output at a lofty 8,300rpm, while maximum torque is 400Nm at 6,500rpm. Though this latter figure might not seem impressive, 85% of twist will come from just 2,000rpm. Yes that’s right. Thanks to the Double Vanos valve technology, the new V8 engine delivers up to 340Nm of torque from only 2,000rpm. This means the new bahn-stormer will have an almost perfectly flat torque curve and a smooth power band stretching more than 6,000rpm. Because of the use of aluminum and composite materials in its construction, the mighty motor weighs in at just 202kg. Amazingly, this is 15kg less than the 6-cylinder engine found in the previous M3.

The M3 will also feature brake regeneration technology, which charges the car’s battery without tapping on engine power.

The numbers dont lie mang

•First eight-cylinder for the BMW M3 sports car.
•Supreme performance ensured by 309 kW/420 hp from 4.0 litres.
•Maximum torque of 400 Newton-metres (295 lb-ft) at 3,900 rpm, 85 per cent of maximum torque over a speed range of 6,500 rpm.
•Unique thrust and muscle ensured by consistent implementation of the M high-speed engine concept, maximum engine speed 8,300 rpm.
•Consistent lightweight construction of engine and ancillary units, new V8 power unit one of the lightest eight-cylinders in the world, lighter than the straight-six power unit in the former model.
•Variable camshaft control, low-pressure double-VANOS for an optimum charge cycle, system offering full power and performance even with normal engine oil pressure.
•Eight individual throttle butterflies for spontaneous engine response.
•Consistent and reliable oil supply with longitudinal and lateral acceleration up to 1.4 g ensured by two oil pumps and wet sump oil lubrication optimised for supreme dynamic behaviour.
•Exhaust system optimising cylinder charge, optimised for weight and function by means of internal high-pressure remoulding, exhaust emissions fulfil EU4 and LEV 2 standards.
•Upgraded MSS60 engine control unit for optimum coordination of all engine functions with the various control systems in the car.
•Ion flow technology recognising and distinguishing engine knocking phenomena as well as misfiring and miscombustion by measurement of ion flow in the combustion chambers.
•Brake Energy Regeneration with intelligent alternator control.

[Dpleezy]

still ugly tho  :?

[Lord Deacon Of Frost]

still ugly tho  :?

Nah mang I really like the bitch

[BHLAKHROZE]

no. not for me. but you were serious mr frost. ama stats chap. ja. no. when we start seeing graphs. its serious. haha.

what is torque about exactly...

[Original Syn]

what is torque about exactly...

Good thing I just got my white coat back from the drycleaners....

*dons his coat and adjusts his quasi-bavarian accent*

Vell joo see Fraulein, torrrque iz ze mekanikal forrrrs off akselerrrrayshun... baziklee und enjin prrrodoosis powaaar vich must be trrrranzlytid too zee grrrownt too moof ze automobil. Torrrque iz zee ooonit off mezuurmint bi vich ve kakulaat zis forrrs, it iz mezuurt in Newton meters... zo to zay it iz how harrrt ze automobil iz pooshink aghenzt ze grownt, in orrrterr zat it kan goo forrrwardt kvickly...zerforrr haai torrrque meenz haai akselerrrratshun... baht not nesesarrrili haai spiet.
kla** dizmizt.

*he removes his snazzy coat and spits out the monstrous ball of phlegm talking in the accent has summoned*