BMW M3 GTS unveiled!

[Aiolos]

So those earlier spy shots were true!

Looks cool!

Way too much money though...

BMW M3 GTS unveiled!

Source: Autoblog

Well that was fast. As well it should be. Because what you're looking at is the most hardcore roadgoing M3 to date. It's called the GTS – not, as had been previously speculated, the CSL, GT or GT4 Street – and after seeing a few spy shots and some speculated details, BMW has just released its first official information on the most extreme machine in its stable.

The eye-catching orange paintjob is a throwback to extreme Bimmers of yore. But after you look past the timely Halloween color scheme, you'll notice a set of exclusive 19-inch competition alloys – coated with 225/35 rubber up front and 285/30 in the rear – protruding out of the bulging bodywork, housing six-piston calipers up front and four in the rear and mounted to yellow springs and an adjustable suspension. You can hardly miss the giant front splitter and rear wing protruding from either end, and the interior's been stripped down with contoured racing buckets, an emergency cut-off switch and a fire extinguisher taking the place of the air-con, nav and radio, along with mounting points for a roll cage and six-point harnesses and a Macrolon rear windscreen to replace the stock glass, helping the M3 GTS tip the scales at just 1490 kg (3285 lbs), some 419 lbs less than the stock M3 coupe's 3704-lb curb weight.

First deliveries are scheduled to begin in Germany next May, carrying a sticker price of 115,000 euros (about $170k) before taxes. Official engine specs haven't been released, but we're still looking at somewhere in the neighborhood of 450 horsepower from an enlarged 4.4-liter V8, driving through the Bavarian automaker's 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. That's about all Munich has given us so far, but we've got a gallery of photos and a video after the jump for your viewing pleasure.

+ YouTube Video

[maxtortheone]

This + Clarkson + Isle Of Man ASAP

[nsx_23]

BMW M3 - Now pre-riced from the factory for your convenience.

If you want a hardcore BMW:

[Redliner]

I give a 9/10 because that rear wing looks like an afterthought, but seems great anyway.
Also, just 20-ish horses from a 0.4 liter increase? I expected much more.

[Polly]

want jizz omgz etc.

[MadCow809]

see, told you guys its not the new CSL, but the GTS.

Anyway,

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?

Segler: We have to be free of dogmas, I ask this of every staff member. It has always been a strength of M to question everything in a positive way.

MPW: Does that mean BMW M will be taking leave of longstanding beliefs?

Segler: Cars are created differently now. We clearly define our goals, derive the product properties from these and then decide which technology appears to be the best suited to the purpose.
MPW: Nonetheless, there are lots of customers who are very attached to tradition. What do you have to say to these fans?

Segler: I will say that they will continue to get fascinating products from BMW M. And I am sure that this applies more than ever before. We don’t just listen to our customers: we also act on what they say.
MPW: What does that mean in practical terms?

Segler: The BMW M3 GTS which we are currently preparing in our BMW M production workshop is a response to frequently expressed customer wishes. This M3 is even hotter: lower weight, more power - including an increase in capacity - and lots of technical details which were only previously available on the tuning market, if at all. Complex and highly individual offers are available ex works.
MPW: What other features does the BMW M3 GTS offer?

Segler: We have a chassis which can be adjusted in compression and rebound, the car is fitted with a fixed caliper brake with six pistons at the front and four at the rear, and the rear silencer is made of titanium. The aerodynamics can be adjusted at the front and rear. We provide 6-point seatbelts for the racing bucket seats, a bolted roll-over protection structure is installed as is a fire extinguisher.
MPW: A nice package which ought to have a broad appeal.

Segler: Yes, I strongly believe it will. If there is a detail here or there which is not to somebody’s liking, that’s not the end of the world. What we are presenting is a standard configuration. If necessary, we are flexible enough to respond to specific requests, too. After all, these vehicles are built in the BMW M production workshops - where we built the M3 GT4, too.
MPW: Was that what sparked off the idea for the M3 GTS?

Segler: Partly, yes. We’ve known about fans who would like more for a long time now. There are some who would like a model which is even closer to motor racing. They want to drive the car to the race track, take part in a race and then drive home again - theoretically that is possible with the BMW M3 GTS. That’s the classic club sports idea, if you like. But collectors will also be interested in this fascinating automobile.
MPW: This brings us to an important point. What is the price and how can I order the M3 GTS?

Segler: The price for the standard configuration is 115,000 euros in Germany. Deliveries will begin next spring.
MPW: What else can we expect from BMW M in the near future?

Segler: Our leitmotif is: “Automobile dreams come true”. The M3 GTS sends out a clear signal here. The X5 M and X6 M have just gone out to dealerships and round off the top of our product range. But what I would most like to see is for BMW M to stay a young brand within people’s reach. This is why a product below the BMW M3 more important to me than a super sports car which is only accessible to a few. As I have already mentioned in other interviews, we are currently looking closely at the options in this area. I hope to be able to tell you more the next time we speak.
MPW: Dr. Segler, thank you very much for the interview.

[Vltros]

Nice!

[LeVeL]

An orange beefed-up M3? With an orange roll cage? And race buckets? Yes please!

[nsx_23]

Wonder where they got that paint scheme from:

[Elvis313]

Yes, how dare they. What a blatant copy!!1!
It's such a complicated paint scheme, clearly they're violating copyrights!!111!



Anyway: do badly want

[Aston Martin]

Ford want their paint back

[racingfan1]

Originally Posted by Aston Martin

Ford, GM, and Chrysler want their 70s paint back

FTFY.

So is it Grabber, Hugger or Hemi Orange?

[VR6]

Originally Posted by Redliner

I give a 9/10 because that rear wing looks like an afterthought, but seems great anyway.
Also, just 20-ish horses from a 0.4 liter increase? I expected much more.

Ya they could have gotten an extra 26hp with an adjusted tune, with .4 litres this thing better have a bunch of extra torque, but since it's a "race car" it really doesn't need it.

[ja404]

I'm not exactly sure what segment they're trying to compete in with this. Spend a little more and you could have a quicker F430, Gallardo, etc. Spend less and have a "still probably quicker" GT3 RS, Audi R8 V10, etc. What market share are they trying to take buyers from? The numbers just don't seem to add up for the price/performance.

[jayhawk]

Nice, but it looks like it was built by a tuner shop for SEMA.

[smib]

Originally Posted by jayhawk

Nice, but it looks like it was built by a tuner shop for SEMA.

[4G92Lancer]

Yuck. You'd look like a complete tool driving an orange M3 with a tacked on spoiler...

[jayjaya29]

I'd take the spoiler off and rep this thing HARD

[Jacobfox]

Mmm...Macaroni and Speed.
I like it. It looks mean. Now just throw a CSL livery and it'll be the fanboys' wet dream.

[racingfan1]

Originally Posted by ja404

I'm not exactly sure what segment they're trying to compete in with this. Spend a little more and you could have a quicker F430, Gallardo, etc. Spend less and have a "still probably quicker" GT3 RS, Audi R8 V10, etc. What market share are they trying to take buyers from? The numbers just don't seem to add up for the price/performance.

They're going after BMW brand-whores that wouldn't consider anything but an M3.

I'll have one in each stupid color they offer.