Page 1: Overview (I)
Page 2: Overview (II)
Page 3: Specifications
Athletic body design as a visible expression of superior power.
The exterior of the new BMW M3 was designed and developed from the start to give the car a truly unique and sporting look. So applying the principle of "form follows function�', the designers at BMW M GmbH, in giving the body of the car its particular look and appearance, have succeeded in finding
a perfect match of supreme technology, on the one hand, and authentic sporting design, on the other. Reflecting this clear-cut principle, the engine compartment lid made of aluminium features an impressive powerdome right in the middle. Together with the recesses right next to the powerdome providing space for additional air intake openings, this special design feature clearly hints to the supreme potential of the eight-cylinder power unit within the engine compartment. The contours of the powerdome and air intakes follow the forward-pointing arrow shape of the engine compartment lid, blending harmoniously into the overall design of the front end even longer than on the “regular�' BMW 3 Series Coupé.
Front end designed for maximum air intake.
The front end of the car boasts three large air intake scoops beneath the radiator grille serving to feed intake and cooling air to the engine. The air intake scoops border on either side on large, vertical bars and further enhance the characteristic design language of the car. Together with the double kidney grille so typical of BMW and the low-slung headlight units with their xenon main beams, the air intakes give the new BMW M3 a highly dynamic appearance right from the start.
Primarily, however, the particular design and structure of the front end is determined by the supply of air required for the high-performance power unit: Almost the entire front end opens up to supply the naturally aspirated engine with a sufficient flow of air. So it is only consistent that the new BMW M3, like BMW M Cars in general, does without the foglamps so characteristic of the “regular�' models in the range.
In their function and size, all the air intakes are precisely defined according to technical requirements. Their arrangement and dimensions are geared precisely to the cooling and intake air required by the engine and its ancillary units.
Light and shade effects creating a firm and taut side-line.
The powerfully chiselled front wheel arches on the new BMW M3 stand out clearly as a symbol of supreme agility anddriving stability. Together with the weight-optimised 18-inch light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design again so typical of a BMW M, the wheel arches accentuate the particularly wide track of the car.
Forged light-alloy wheels measuring 19 inches are available as an option. And looking through the spokes of the wheels, regardless of the version chosen, the beholder will immediately admire the compound high-performance brakes developed exclusively for BMW M Cars.
Both front side panels come with a particular sign of distinction to be seen only on a BMW M Car – the air intake “gills�', as they are called by the designers. The elaborately modelled contours of the car highlight the course of the profile line extending back along the side. The chrome trim distinguishing between the various sections, in turn, further enhances the three-dimensional structure of this particular element, accommodating both the long and sweeping direction indicator as well as the M3 logo.
The exterior mirrors developed exclusively for the new BMW M3 also serve to enhance the car’s aerodynamic qualities. The most characteristic feature on the mirrors is the double arm finished in black and reminiscent in its design of the wings of an aircraft. Through their horizontal contour edge and their particular shape narrowing to the outside, the exterior mirrors not only accentuate the sporting look of the car, but also help to reduce air drag thanks to their particular shape optimised in the wind tunnel.
Two surface elements literally twisting around one another form the significantly flared side-sills and generate a smooth but interchanging flow of light serving to give the car an even lighter and more sporting look from this angle by making the side panels look even lower. In their design, the side-sills correspond with the particular shape and appearance of the clearly contoured profile line along the body. A further point is that the distinctive contrast of light and shade generates a feeling of tension on the likewise muscular, widely flared side panels and the wheels beneath, thus giving particular emphasis to the significance of rear-wheel drive in the outstanding performance it gives the new BMW M3.
Discreet spoiler lip and rear diffuser for optimum aerodynamics.
Seen from the rear, the new BMW M3 again boasts superior and powerful proportions. At the same time the rear end design of the car takes up the characteristic look of the front end, the side-line moving down smoothly and gently and the rear wings extending into a carefully chiselled concave panel underlining the concept of rear-wheel drive and visualising the superior dynamics of the car. A discreet spoiler lip on the lid of the luggage compartment also referred to in racing terms as the “Gurney Flap�' optimises the streamlining of the new BMW M3 and serves to further reduce lift forces at the rear. The contours of the diffuser split up into individual sections by carefully modelled bars beneath the rear bumper again takes up the shape and design of the air intakes at the front. The air flow duct and the dual tailpipe moved far towards the centreline of the car appear to visually contract the rear end in the lower middle section, building up a feeling of superior tension in the eyes of the beholder extending all the way to the horizontally flowing lines of the bumper.
As yet another feature typical of BMW M Cars, the four tailpipes are circular in shape and cut off in a straight line at the rear, giving the rear end an even more muscular stance and again focusing the beholder’s attention on the powerful wheels of the car.
Roof in high-tech carbon-fibre: low weight, big effect.
Carbon-fibre has made its way successfully into Formula 1 as an extremely stable, but nevertheless very light material. So it is only consistent for the designers and engineers responsible for the new BMW M3 to use precisely this material originally applied in aerospace in order to further lower the centre of gravity of the new BMW M3 – carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFP) is used where it counts most, on the outer skin of the car, saving about 5 kg or 11 lb in the process. With this weight being saved at the highest point on the body, the effect on driving dynamics is of course particularly positive.
To enhance the high-tech character of the car also in visual terms, the roof is finished only in clear paint, thus proudly maintaining and demonstrating the woven structure of the carbon fibre. A further point is that the dark look of the roof makes the roof pillars look even lower from the side, creating the impression as if the entire car were resting in an even lower and more dynamic position on the road.
The production technology developed especially for the CFP roof is currently applied exclusively by BMW’s specialists at the Company’s plant in Landshut just north of Munich. Originally, this technology was developed for the production of very special cars built in limited editions for the most demanding connoisseurs. And now, thanks to the unique know-how of BMW’s production engineers at the Landshut Plant, new ways and means of using and processing CFP have been developed, opening up the door to the use of this material in far larger numbers, for example on the roof of the new BMW M3.
Special M body colours adding a further touch of exclusivity.
The new BMW M3 is available with a choice of no less than four M metallic paintwork options giving particular emphasis to the interaction of the body surfaces, the contours and proportions of the car. Coming with a light shimmering effect, Melbourne Red, for example, combines unique brilliance and colour depth. Jerez Black, on the other hand, boasts blue pearl pigments to again provide unique highlights and unprecedented appeal. Powerful Interlagos Blue, in turn, incorporates red colour pigments to provide a highly attractive interaction of blue and violet from various angles.
The fourth colour already well known from the BMW M5 and BMW M6 is Silverstone, a light silver colour with a slight touch of blue.
In addition, the new BMW M3 is available in both Alpine White and Black as well as Sparkling Graphite and Space Grey metallic, all body colours highlighting either the technical and sporting character of the car or its superior and elegant look.
Another feature typical of BMW M: rev counter with variable warning zones.
The exterior impressively symbolises the outstanding performance and sporting qualities of the new BMW M3. The interior, in turn, supplements this supreme flair, seeking to offer the driver an unparalleled driving experience and all the other occupants a beautiful ambience tailored to their needs. Well-conceived and sophisticated ergonomics within the interior serve to ensure a complete symbiosis of man and machine, the driver and passenger coming together to form one complete whole.
In its design, however, the new BMW M3 differs on some essential points from the “underlying�' BMW 3 Series Coupé, making the new BMW M3 a truly unmistakable car right from the beginning as soon as you get inside. Indeed, door entry trim embellished with the M logo shows the driver and passengers from the start that this is a very special car.
The dual dials (speedometer/fuel gauge and rev counter/oil temperature) typical of BMW from the start come in this case in specific BMW M configuration, again visualising the supreme power and performance of the eight-cylinder. The numbers stand out in white from the black background, the indicators in the traditional red colour of BMW M GmbH are particularly clear and easy to monitor A special feature typical of a BMW M Car is the rev counter with its variable warning field informing the driver while the engine is warming up of the speed range currently available as a function of engine oil temperature. In this process, the borderline between the pre-warning zone shown in yellow and the actual warning area shown in red moves as a function of increasing oil temperature in the BMW M3 all the way to the maximum permissible speed of 8, 400 rpm. The digital instruments presenting the time, the exterior temperature, trip mileage and telltales are housed in between the two circular instruments. The BMW M leather steering wheel serves as the perfect interface between man and machine. The steering wheel rim offering simply perfect grip also thanks to special contours allows precise movement of the steering wheel according to the driver’s commands. The cross-brackets on the steering wheel, in turn, house the remote control buttons for the audio system and mobile phone as well as the optional MDrive button serving to call up the particular set-up of the car saved in advance within the system. A further button is freely programmable by means of iDrive.
An integrated footrest gives the driver’s left foot a secure position whenever he is not required to operate the clutch pedal. The trim made of brushed aluminium and the anti-slip cover in the middle highlight the sporting character of this functional element, allowing the driver to keep his left leg in a particularly comfortable position while driving steadily at a consistent speed.
Newly designed centre console and enhanced iDrive.
The control area in the cockpit directly in front of the driver merges into the newly designed centre console between the front seats oriented in its entire geometry to the driver through its discreet sweeping arrangement.
On all trim versions of the new BMW M3, the console is finished in black leather, harmoniously extending the instrument surrounds and control area in both the right colour and design.
Three function switches (Power, DSC and, as an option, EDC) face towards the driver, enabling him to conveniently activate or deactivate the various electronic driving programs. The intuitive user guidance provided by the iDrive control concept and enhanced in this case by MDrive reflects the control philosophy already boasted in the BMW M6.
Quality craftsmanship and sophisticated materials.
Apart from the clear design and optimum ergonomics of all controls and instruments, the choice of colours and materials within the interior of the new BMW M3 seeks to support the driver in concentrating on driving conditions and the traffic around him.
Regardless of the colour chosen, the footwells and parcel shelf as well as the upper half of the instrument panel are finished in dark Anthracite. At the same time the dark roof lining and dark trim on the A-pillars further accentuate the clear orientation to the driver so typical of BMW M. This dark colour scheme around the windscreen helps the driver furthermore to concentrate his eyes and all senses on the road, giving him a particularly good feeling of through, consistent control over his vehicle.
The colour scheme surrounding the front passenger and the passengers at the rear likewise enhances their feeling of travelling in a genuine sports car: Through the use of black leather on the upper levels both the door panels and the rear side panels appear to be lower and even more dynamic in their dimensions, the dark areas seemingly “flowing�' around the driver and passengers.
The sporting ambience within the interior is upgraded even further by an exclusive impression of quality provided by high-class materials and perfect finish in top-class craftsmanship. A double-clip seam accentuating the demanding character of the car and its high standard of production separates the upper section of the door and side linings from the interior elements kept in the trim colour chosen by the driver.
All four seats in the new BMW M3 offer both supreme comfort on long distances and excellent side support in fast bends. As an option, both the driver and the front passenger are able to choose special seats with adjustable backrest width. The rear seat bench comes complete with through-loading available as an option with a ski-bag retrofittable if desired. And last but not least, the partition between the two rear seats designed as an extension of the centre console houses an additional storage box for extra convenience.
Wide range of customisation within the interior
The new BMW M3 is available in three exclusive equipment and trim variants differing significantly from the “regular�' BMW 3 Series Coupé in their material, colour and finish. The sporting, “basic�' trim is a combination of cloth and leather called “Speed�'. Newly developed, fully tanned Novillo leather then comes as an option offering a particularly smooth and velvety surface in elegant and sporting style. Apart from classic Black, Novillo leather is also available in Palladium Silver, Bamboo Beige, and Fox Red.
As a further option, Novillo leather can be extended to the lower section of the instrument panel, the cover on the glove compartment, and the side covers on the centre console.
Four exclusive trim strips extending throughout the entire width of the dashboard beneath the Control Display and instrument cluster, provide further options in customising the new BMW M3. The “basic�' trim comes in Titanium Shadow, with Aluminium Shadow and special leather tanned in carbon design as well as high-class wood in fine-grain surface design and platane wood in Anthracite all being available as an option. In each case, the trim strip gives the interior of the new BMW M3 its own very special touch ranging from cool high-tech to sporting elegance.
BMW Individual high-end audio system for perfect music enjoyment.
The new BMW M3 comes as standard with a high-class audio system. Various navigation systems, the BMW Online mobile internet portal, BMW Assist telematics service, and BMW TeleServices serving to transmit service-relevant data to the driver’s BMW Service Partner are all available as optional extras.
As yet a further option the new BMW M3 may also be fitted with a BMW Individual high-end audio system specially developed by BMW M GmbH and tailored exclusively to this special car. In this case up to 16 high-performance loudspeakers with neodym magnetic drive and extremely stiff hexacone membranes, a digital nine-channel amplifier with maximum output of 825 Watt and precisely acting frequency switches, guarantee unparalleled quality of sound.
A feature truly unique in the automobile is DIRAC live technology serving to process signals. DIRAC technology corrects the impulse response by the loudspeakers and thus ensures linear, precisely timed playback within the car. The clean impulse quality generated in this way in the playback process gives not only the drier, but rather all occupants in the new BMW M3 an extremely versatile and realistic experience of sound.
Sound quality truly perfect in all situations is also ensured by speed-related volume control and speed-related equalising. The BMW Individual high-end audio system is controlled and masterminded by the iDrive Controller, with its basic functions also being controlled whenever required, as with all entertainment systems, via the audio control elements in the centre console.
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