Delectable package? That would be an severe understatement. The all-new BMW M3 is ready for launch and India will receive the fastest 3 there is very soon. After all the debates and discussions which even included the possibility of a V6, BMW threw all rumours into the bin and revealed their F80 M3.
The F30 3 Series is a fantastic car to drive, but more power is always appreciated, especially by Bimmer fans. So, then, if you’re one of them, you will be even more excited to hear that BMW have gone ahead and put a dream package together. Straight-6 TwinPower Turbo motor up front, 6-speed manual transmission in the middle, and rear wheel drive: that’s about as good a definition of ‘perfect’ as it gets. There’s also a 7-speed M Dual Clutch Automatic for the others as well. But enough about single figures, let’s talk about the triple and four figures which matter.
The new engine, which goes in the M3 and M4, retains the company’s ‘optimum displacement per cylinder’ idealogy and packs 3.0-litres over its six cylinders. The peak output is 431 PS, available from 5,390 to 7,000 revs. That’s just 11 PS up on the old E92 M3 with its massive 4.0-litre V8. However, the key here is the torque – 550 Nm – 150 Nm more than the previous car, all of which comes in from 1,800 rpm and stays until 5,390 revs. Moreover, with a 7,600 rpm redline, this turbocharged six is part of a rare breed; high-revving turbo engines are not all too common. The high-precision direct injection engine with double VANOS and Valvetronic delivers a deluge of power while the M Differential ensures no horse runs astray.
The M3 will weigh just under 1,500 kg, offering a power-to-weight-ratio in the realm of 290 PS/tonne and an acceleration of 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds. The top speed will be restricted to 250 km/h, but the optional M Driver’s Package raises this to 280 km/h. Fuel consumption is stated to be in the 12 km/l range, and anyone would be more than happy to achieve anywhere near that figure. Pricing? We’ll just have to wait and see, but it will be comfortably over the eight-figure barrier. There’s a figure that’s best not mentioned, fly in the ointment that it is. 2014, then, will be a very good year indeed.
Watch the official launch video here:
