German Car Zone

Sexy stuff!

I don't mean to be asking questions when we all should be celebrating and cheering this amazing car, but I'm curious as to why the recent BMW engines have only managed to produce ~103hp/L, where as the previous generation M3 variants managed a tad higher figures.

E92 M3: 414hp/4.0L = 103.5hp/L
E92 M3 GTS: 450hp/4.4L = 102.3hp/L

E46 M3: 343hp/32L = 107.2hp/L
E46 M3 CSL: 360hp/3.2L = 112.5hp/L
E46 M3 GTR: 444hp/4.0L (V8) = 111hp/L

A few horsepower here or there isn't a problem in the real world, but looking purely at the numbers, is there a reason why the new M3 isn't as highly strung as the E46. Does it have something to do with a V-configuration compared to the inline-6 (though the M3 GTR was a V8)... or because the engine in the E92 M3 came from the E60 V10, so there may have had to be a small compromise ...or is there some 'rule' that the more cylinders you add, the lower your hp/L figure becomes (coz with the M5 V10, it's hp/L is 101.4)?

Just curious about this, because eventhough 450hp is nothing to complain about, but for such a 'hardcore' model with an increase in displacement, the figure of 450hp seems a bit conservative. I'm not very technically knowledgeable when it comes to engines, so I was hoping a few members on here could give a possible explanation to this issue.




By the way. The great looking CF front splitter, the big rear wing, and the stripped out interior. If this car wasn't a BMW, I'd say this car was headed for a future in NASCAR!

Great car! Loving the color, and the macho factor!

Let's hope that Audi will build a RS5 + or something in the future, with the new aluminum body of the A5, so they can match this baby

What a beast ... pure shmexyness! Me like!

From Teamspeed:
The price of the BMW M3 GTS with the features shown is expected to be EUR 115,000.- for delivery in Germany, including 19% VAT.
The first vehicles are due to be supplied in May 2010.
The first vehicles to be produced will be those for individual registration in Germany
Registrations in other countries will be possible from summer 2010
450 BHP (4.4l V8)
1490 kg (3278 lbs)
6 / 4 piston brake system
6 point harness
255 35 19 F
285 30 19 R
Rollbar behind the front seats ( only 2 seats )
Front splitter and Spoiler ( adjustable )
Fire hydrant
Racing combo with helmet

Just saw this.........WOW. Will this be sold in the U.S.?


M

Sweet, looks way more hardcore than the CSL. And yea, hope it comes state side, but I am not too hopeful.

Anyone figured out what GTS (gran turismo sports?) stands for?

Awesome!

I was hoping for a few more bespoke aesthetic changes such as a revised trunk, front bumper and new wheels too (surprised they still using the E46 CSL wheels). Anyways, im definitely not complaining, the uprated engine is already making me go crazy!!

I imagine the 'S' refers to Street since one of the possible names was M3 GT4 Street

Either that, or it's a backwards acronym for 'STiG', coz if you look at the video of this car, you'll notice that there's a white racing helmet and white gloves. Sometimes putting 2 and 2 together doesn't equal 4... this might be one of those mysteries. GTS = STiG backwards. (cue to play the X-files theme music)

LMAO ^^

I don't know, maybe we should ask Pekka or Centurion, the Porsche boys

More important, I fail to find a good conversion for hp to bhp; I want to know how much hp 450 bhp is. Should be around 460 hp...