The new M3 borrows some tricks from the world of Formula 1. For example, the two turbochargers have electrical assistance for the waste-gate to maintain the optimum boost pressure. Besides, they feature smaller, lighter turbines that keep spinning at higher RPM even while the engine spins at a lower rate. This brings the turbo-lag to virtually zero, meaning you don’t have to tap on the steering while waiting for your head to be suddenly thrown into the seat’s headrest when you nail the throttle. All of it happens very quickly.
There are other smart things too, such as the variable valve timing, direct injection, and lighter engine components that make this engine a true performer. And it is this engine that gives the M3 an all-new character which will be appreciated by greenhorns as well as the aficionados. You can notice it the moment you floor the throttle. The acceleration is blisteringly fast as the M3 zooms towards the horizon at an alarming rate. It feels like a booster rocket, which is further assisted by turbines and afterburners. The power delivery is so linear that you forget that this is a turbocharged car. The great part about all that torque is that it is available right from 1,850 RPM all the way up to 5,500 RPM, allowing you to exploit the great low- and mid-range power the M3 has to offer.
The 4.1-second claimed 0-100 km/h figure takes the M3 very close to the supercar territory and if you look at the claimed figures for the new M5, the M3 is quicker to the tonne than its more powerful but heavier sibling. The power delivery is unbelievably smooth and linear for a turbocharged motor and you have to drive it to believe it.
The seven-speed DCT box is also a brilliant unit. The shifts in D mode are quick and precise and the transition is seamless. Switch tothe Sport mode, and it becomes even more responsive. There are three shift speed settings that you can select from depending on your preference. The best one is the mid-level setting which has a perfect balance between smoothness and aggressiveness.
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