German Car Zone

Some pretty exciting news for M3 fans:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=315174

Here's info posted on M3post of a special edition road legal M3 to compete with the 911 GT3!


- 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)
- 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)

Sounds exciting. If they do increase the displacement to 4.4l, I doubt the power will be limited to 450HP. Cause it will be less HP/liter than the normal S65. So my guess is either ~450 Hp and same 4l displacement or 4.4l and more power (~460+).

Also while I don't care what they call it, I don't get why they won't call it CSL. But M3 GT is pretty sexy too. M3 GT4 not so.

Me neither, the CSL name already has such cache behind it.

I'm just sad that of course once again the US likely won't get this car.

It's as if they were ashamed of it, and btw why are they even bothering, isn't this sort of car now a taboo for them ?

Well, you said it yourself, they are ashamed and it is taboo But on the other hand, BMW will have to make some real sporty cars to keep the sporty image.

Sort of the same thing as with the Performance line for the 1 and 3-series; no advertisments and almost no information at the dealers (if they have even heard of it) and not possible to get factory fitted.

M3 GT....5er GT....I hope they choose another name. GT isn't hardcore. M3 GT4 maybe, but GT4 sounds AWD-ish...
This info is wonderful, and so specific it must be true for the most part.
But like Sunny said, 450 hp wouldn't be enough. 460 at least.

I think the reason why they don't want to give it the 'CSL' name-tag is coz it won't be a true CSL in the spirit that the previous generation E46 M3 CSL was. I doubt they'll strip the car down to its bare necessities, or throw lots of carbon-fibre to it. IMO it'll be a half-ass CSL because BMW/M don't want to spend extra resources on excessive weight-reduction efforts. They figure they can sell just as many M3 GT's as M3 CSL's, but do so at a higher ROI.

As for the actual name of the car... hmm, they've got another dilemma. Simply calling it an M3 GT sounds mighty nice and proper, but 'GT' in BMW's line-up is better known to represent 'niche' lifestyle variants such as the 5er GT and the upcoming 3er GT, and 6er GT (might have changed to 7er CS now, too confusing to keep up with BMW). So, IMO that's why BMW/M are having to consider the tacky M3 GT4 Street name rather than just M3 GT.

I think the reason why they are not calling it csl is because this car is more track orientated.

CSL was compromise this new thing will not it will be hardcore.

I am interested in this car. Because i was almost at the point of buying an secondhand GT3. But i am bmw enthusiast.

I hope bmw get it right this time. Build us something special which we can enjoy on track. The only concern i have is the pricetag.

I forgot about BMW's new naming strategy. I guess the great M3 GT can't be used. Not that it is that important, but GT4 Street, that has to be the corniest name ever... Furthermore, you cannot compete against something named "GT3" with a product named "GT4", unless you are brutally honest and knows that your product does not stack up.

Regarding name, I think it would be the most honest way to call it "M3 GT4 Street", because that's what it is, the street legal version of the M3 GT4 racecar. M3 GT might be better as marketing is concerned, though. There was a special edition of the E36 called "M3 GT", so there's some kind of "heritage" here.


Best regards,
south