Name

• It won't be called M3 CSL.
• Instead, BMW will either call it "M3 GT4 Street" or "M3 GT".

• Naturally aspirated engine with an increased displacement of 4,400 cc (based on the S65).
• At least 450 hp, likely more. (445 HP)
• No information regarding KERS (KERS will likely debut in the F10 M5)
• 7 speed DCT only, no manual transmission.
• 'State of the art' exhaust system, but not Akrapovic.- (ARVIN MERITOR /w/200-cell race cats and 2 resonators)

Chassis | Brakes | Aerodynamics:

• Brembo brakes (6 pistons front - 4 pistons rear) with steel brake discs. (365mm front, 345mm rear SLOTTED DISCS) Ceramic composite brakes optionally available.
• Weight reduction of 100 kg (220 lbs) compared to E92 M3, maybe even more. (due to the removal of the rear seat and the switch to lighter RECARO front race seats)
• Available as a 2 seater. However, rear seats are optionally available.
• Rollbars standard (there's a delete option).
• Adjustable front splitter. (made of ABS plastic)
• Adjustable mechanical suspension, no EDC. (SACHS)
• 25 mm lower compared to E92 M3
• Same width as the E92 M3.
• Fantastic new wheels. (BBS lightweight cast flow formed MESH)
• New 'state of the art' seats. (RECARO)

• Nuerburgring laptime: 7:40 min
• Not available through BMW dealer network, but directly from BMW Motorsport.
• Street legal (of course).
• Exclusively painted in Inka Orange (a hommage to early BMW race and sports cars). Availability of other colors at a later date.
• The car was tested secretly in France and on a private race track (likely Miramas).
• It will compete with the 911 GT3.
• Limited Production (some report 25 units per year).
• Price: Unknown, but less than the price for an 911 GT3. ($110,000 EUROS)

Note: There's no information as to its availability in the U.S. yet. (NOT AVAILABLE IN THE U.S.A.)

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.

Consistent lightweight construction, adjustable aerodynamic units, an increase in engine size and output on the V8 high-speed power unit and suspension technology meeting all the requirements of motorsport - all this gives the BMW M3 GTS a top position among high-performance cars built for Clubsport racing. Unladen weight according to the DIN standard is less than 1,500 kg (3,300 lb), the lightweight body comes with special mounts for six-point seat belts and a rollcage fitted behind the B-pillar.

Through its design and construction, the materials used and its special equipment, the BMW M3 GTS is a lightweight performer all the way, offering a genuine motorsport driving experience in every respect. In addition to the carbon fibre roof already featured as standard on the BMW M3, weight is consistently optimised by features such as silencers made of titanium, the extra-light centre console and door linings, the omission of rear seats, automatic air conditioning and an audio system, as well as sound insulation tailored specifically to this very special model.

The eight-cylinder power unit of the BMW M3 GTS enlarged in size to 4.4 litres and boosted in output to some 450 hp boasts construction principles and technical details carried over directly from motorsport. A supreme surge of ongoing power throughout a wide range of engine speed characterises the outstanding performance of the V8 with its high-speed concept. The features typical of a motorsport engine include the crankcase made of a special aluminium-silicon alloy and constructed in bedplate design, individual throttle butterflies, anti-knock sensors with ion flow technology, and, wet sump oil supply optimised for supreme driving dynamics.

Power is transmitted in the BMW M3 GTS by the M double-clutch gearbox with Drivelogic also available as an option on the regular production model. This seven-speed M DKG Drivelogic gearbox follows a principle also developed for motorsport, shifting gears without the slightest interruption of engine power. The transmission was developed specifically for a particularly powerful high-speed engine and offers ideal qualities for truly dynamic acceleration at all times. The gearshift characteristics on the seven-speed M DKG Drivelogic have been tailored specifically to the modified power unit of the BMW M3 GTS and the driver is able to shift gears both through the selector lever on the centre console and through special M shift paddles on the steering wheel.

To convey the supreme power of the engine to the road in equally supreme style even under the most extreme conditions, the BMW M3 GTS comes with suspension technology likewise derived from the highest realms of motorsport. While the suspension is based on the front and rear axle of the BMW M3 Coupé, the rear axle subframe is bolted firmly in position and the suspension features adjustment threads on the dampers for individual variation of the inbound and rebound strokes.

The high-performance brake system of the BMW M3 GTS features fixed callipers with six pistons up front and four pistons on the rear wheels. The race-oriented set-up of DSC Dynamic Stability Control naturally considers the supreme dynamic potential of the BMW M3 GTS. Different-sized tyres front and rear running on 19-inch M light-alloy Competition rims in double-spoke design ensure optimum transmission of acceleration and brake forces to the road.

To optimise the flow of air and adjust the car's downforce as required, the BMW M3 GTS comes with a race-oriented front air dam and rear wing. This allows appropriate adjustment of the car's aerodynamic qualities in motorsport and for other purposes, tailored to the specific profile of the respective track. The air guidance units on the front air dam, for example, may be varied in their geometry, just like the position of the rear wing based on the wing already featured on the BMW 320si raced in the WTCC World Touring Car Championship.

Exterior features such as the BMW kidney grille and the gills at the side finished in chrome on the regular BMW M3 come in special dark eloxy-plated chrome on the BMW M3 GTS.

The interior of the BMW M3 GTS clearly reflects the focus on supreme performance and safety on the race track. The interior features include classic bucket seats, interior trim in carbon and an M steering wheel finished in alcantara. The door and side panels at the rear also come in Alcantara, while six-point seat belts delivered with the car for subsequent use, a fire extinguisher and preparation for an emergency-off switch in motorsport round off the wide range of special features inside the car.

revealing new spy photos of the next bmw 3-series have landed in our inbox today. Despite only recently being facelifted, work is well underway in munich to develop the next 3-series, due in a motorway fast lane near you in three years' time.

we weren't expecting to see a new bmw 3-series for a while yet, why now?

the new 3-series family – internally codenamed f30 – has been moved forward because of a slump in sales of the current model. Car understands sales nosedived by 40% in the first six months of 2009, a cataclysmic drop which sparked change in bavaria.

Hence the new three project has been fast-tracked by a year, with a launch pencilled in for the 2011 frankfurt motor show.
Our spies in germany caught this early car being towed on a trailer, revealing a little about the next 3-series styling. Strip away the swirly-whirly disguise, and we're told it will look quite different – despite being signed off by former design chief chris bangle before he retired. Also expect influences from new styling boss adrian van hooydonk’s 2007 cs concept.
so this is a cooking 3-series, not the m3?

you got it! We have, however, learned a fair bit about the new sporting saloon of choice. Gone is the 4.0-litre v8 from today's m3, replaced with a straight six twin-turbocharged unit with direct injection. The engine swap not only cuts emissions, but saves weight too. Power remains unchanged at 414bhp, but even sharper acceleration is promised thanks to an upgraded dual-clutch gearbox available only to m3 customers.
what about the rest of the f30 3-series line-up?

further down the model range, the 3.0-litre inline six powerplant features a couple more times. The 335i makes a comeback, although it loses a turbo and power drops to around 280bhp to make room for a completely new car, the 340i. This one will have a pair of blowers, which help to muster 360bhp.
The other petrol engines will be four-cylinder turbocharged units displacing either 1.6 or 2.0 litres. High-performance diesels will also feature, with a 204bhp 323d and a 306bhp 335d appearing in the new 2011 f30 family line-up. Bmw expects most models to be fitted with the optional eight-speed automatic transmission complete with stop-start technology.
how about a 3-series gt version, like the 5-series gran turismo?

we are expecting bmw to produce a 3gt, akin to the 5gt. There will also be another 3-series convertible, but not with a folding hardtop like the current car. In an effort to save valuable kilograms, a canvas roof will make a comeback for the new topless 3-series.
Other technology that may appear in the range includes optional four-wheel drive, mild hybrid power and maybe even a plug-in hybrid.
So, a strong line-up for the top-selling bmw. We'll look forward to seeing the lines under that disguise over the coming months...