BMW M3 GTS Sedan Concept

Such a model was previewed by the Lightweight M3 Sedan Concept shown this past April, and now the company is putting the production version through its paces at the Nürburgring. Heck, the car seen here may actually be the “concept,” as it looks identical—right down to the black wheels—excepting windows you can actually see through and the missing chin spoiler.

This special M3 won’t be an exact, tit-for-tat partner for the GTS. BMW says that, in the interest of streetability, the GTS sedan will instead occupy the wafer-thin real estate between that hard-core variant and the stock car. It’s thus unlikely to make as much power as the 444-horse GTS (or get that car’s bored-out 4.4-liter), instead utilizing a slightly brawnier version of the regular 4.0-liter S65 V-8, which is good for 414 hp in basic tune.

It also clearly won’t get the GTS’s huge, junge-racer spoiler, and the navy paint is several steps less garish than the two-door’s tangerine stuff. It will, however, follow the GTS’s lead in reducing curb weight, although the exact method is unknown at this point. Figure on expanded use of carbon fiber, as well as a few key equipment deletions.

Full details on the car—including the final name, which could incorporate GTS or even resurrect the old Evolution addendum—will emerge from the M division’s big party at the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring in June. Don’t rush to your local dealer to drop a deposit, though, as this one’s probably joining the GTS as a limited-production European exclusive.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

2011 BMW M3 Sedan

2011 BMW M3 Sedan

Powertrains and Performance 2011 BMW M3 Sedan

A 4.0-liter V8 powers every 2011 BMW M3, sending 414 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and a seven-speed dual-clutch automated-manual transmission (M DCT) is optional. The latter offers manual operation via steering-wheel paddles as well as a full automatic mode. All M3s feature a specialized locking rear differential.

We’ve tested just about every variety of M3. The coupe with traditional manual went from zero to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds, while the sedan with a manual and the convertible with M DCT did it in 4.8 seconds. With either transmission, EPA-estimated fuel economy is 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway and 16 mpg combined. A manual-equipped convertible gets 13 mpg city.
Safety

Standard safety features for the 2010 BMW M3 include front seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, antilock disc brakes, traction control and stability control. The convertible lacks the side curtains, but the regular front side airbags extend up to head level, and there are also pop-up rollover hoops. Braking is phenomenal — in our 60-0-mph braking test, the M3 came to a halt in just 100 feet, which is among the shortest distances we’ve ever recorded.

The M3 itself has not been crash-tested, but the 3 Series sedan scored four stars (out of five) for frontal impacts for both driver and passenger in government tests. It garnered a perfect five stars for side impacts for both front and rear occupants. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests gave the 3 Series sedan “Good” ratings (the highest possible) in both frontal-offset and side-impact crash testing, although the convertible received a second-lowest “Marginal” score.

Source: edmunds