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The Australian arrival of the eagerly awaited fourth-generation BMW M3 is one
step closer today with pricing officially announced.
The first-ever BMW M3 with an eight-cylinder engine will go on sale on 11
October, immediately after its debut at the Australian International Motor Show.
“With over 1,200 examples of the E46 generation coupé sold in Australia, the
BMW M3 is undoubtedly Australia’s most useable and sought after super coupés,”
said Tom Noble, general manager Marketing, BMW Group Australia.
“The key to all BMW M3’s is the car’s supreme agility. High cornering grip
means plenty of fun for drivers.
“It seats four in comfort over long or short distances, has a practical
luggage compartment and of course the power and performance to put many much
more expensive cars to shame.
“The new M3 will provide drivers with more fun and more performance than
ever,” said Noble.
Developing 309kW at 8,300rpm, the new high-revving V8 engine features eight
individually controlled throttle butterflies, normally found on race cars and
each weighing just 22 grams, for faster response and additional performance, as
well as variable double-VANOS camshaft control.
Peak torque of 400Nm arrives at 3,900rpm with the new engine management
system capable of processing more than 200 million operations per second.
Weighing 15 kilograms less than the six-cylinder engine in the former model,
the 4.0-litre V8 continues the BMW M tradition of high-revving engines and
lightweight engineering and is capable of revving all the way to 8,400rpm.
Some 85 per cent of the engine’s peak torque remains available throughout the
enormous speed range of 6,500rpm.
The engine block comes from BMW’s light-alloy foundry in Landshut which
builds the blocks used in Formula One by BMW Sauber.
Accelerating from zero to 100km/h in just 4.8 seconds, the new
high-performance sports car from BMW M GmbH is the first BMW sold in Australia
to be equipped with Brake Energy Regeneration.
Power is transmitted to the rear wheels by a six-speed manual gearbox
interacting with a brand new final drive.
The new M3 is the first production vehicle in its segment to feature a carbon
fibre-roof, serving to reduce the weight of the car by 5kg and improve handling
thanks to the lower centre of gravity.
As a result of these and many other light-weight engineering measures,
average fuel consumption for the high-performance BMW M3 is a respectable12.4
litres per 100km.
The highly dynamic driving experience of the new BMW M3 is the result of
50/50 front-rear weight distribution, rear wheel drive, newly developed chassis
with special, weight-optimised components, characteristic BMW M axle kinematics,
forged aluminium track control arms, compound high-performance brake system and
Electronic Damper Control (EDC).
With the exception of one small detail, the lower trailing link, the
five-link rear suspension has been completely redesigned.
Ensuring that power is used and not wasted, especially during fast cornering,
the new BMW M3 benefits from the class leading Variable M Differential Lock,
providing up to 100 per cent locking action.
Drivers of the race-bred BMW M3 can also tailor the car’s behaviour and
performance thanks to MDrive, which is positioned on the steering wheel for
immediate access to the vehicle setup saved in the MDrive menu. Steering forces
can be varied between Normal and Sports settings, Electronic Damper Control can
be adjusted with three different settings – Normal, Comfort and Sports, and the
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) can be completely deactivated, all at the touch
of a button.
For the first time, Australians can order their new BMW M3 with Melbourne Red
or Jerez Black paintwork, which like other M colours, is named after famous
Formula One circuits around the world, including Interlagos Blue and
Silverstone. Other paintwork options include Alpine White and Black as well as
Sparkling Graphite and Space Grey metallic.
An aluminium bonnet with striking power dome, large front end air intake
scoops and muscular, powerfully flared wheel arches underline the athletic and
authentic BMW M look of the car.
Due to the increased demand for air by the naturally aspirated V8 engine, the
intake air plenum is located under the power dome and receives air from behind
the kidney grille, front air dam and left side of the bonnet. At maximum speed,
the V8 engine requires around 17 cubic metres of air per minute.
Air intake gills in the front side panels, M-specific side-sills accentuating
the rear-wheel drive concept, discreet spoiler lip, and roof in clearly visible
carbon-fibre look as well as four impressive tailpipes arranged in two pairs
typical of BMW M, round off the exterior design.
Highlights of new standard equipment, compared to the previous model,
includes the new V8 engine, Novillo leather upholstery, Electronic Damper
Control (EDC), MDrive, Adaptive Headlights, High-beam assist, Voice recognition,
Comfort Access system for keyless entry and starting with Start/Stop button,
front as well as rear Park Distance Control (PDC), BMW Assist, sunroof
(available at no additional cost), heated front seats, Brake Force Display, as
well as metallic paintwork.
Pricing and options
M3 Coupé six-speed manual: $157,000
Electric sunroof – glass: No Cost Option
Electric rear roller blind:
$550
BMW Individual High End audio system: $1,900
19-inch forged M
light-alloy wheels: $3,800
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