The BMW M3 convertible gets a tuning by ATT-TEC that takes power up by 80 hp to a total of 500 hp, for our second tuning job this week. The 4.0-litre V8 managed the extra power with a compressor system, improved engine software and a new exhaust system.
Other features of the M3 tuning include new 20-inch alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport tyres measuring 245/30 at the front and 285/25 at the rear, all of which costs about 3,475 euros. ATT also added a KW coilover suspension system for 2,000 euros. It’s an expensive tuning job as the engine modifications alone are 11,749 euros (including fit-out).
For a real tuning touch, the interior can feature carbon fibre or Swarovski crystals, depending on your taste. ATT has given it the name BMW Thunderstorm M3, and so we guess the exhaust system is doing its job on the sound.
Here’s a lovely gallery of the BMW M3 GTS (previously known also as the M3 CSL, GT and GT4) and while we don’t have a lot of info from BMW right now, as least we’ve got the pics. The M3 GTS is fully kitted out with an orange paint job, 19-inch competition alloy wheels shod 225/35 at the front and 285/30 at the rear and with six-piston calipers front and four for the rear.
The front splitter is very in your face, though you’re more likely to see the rear wing when this extreme M3 gets out on the road. The interior is minimalist in style, with racing bucket seats, roll bar mounting points, racing harnesses and Macrolon rear windscreen. The M3 GTS weighs in at 1,490 kg, quite a bit less than the standard M3 at about 1,680 kg.
No engine specs are available yet, but reports say the BMW M3 GTS should have a 4.4-litre V8 engine producing 450 hp, and should have a seven-seven duel-clutch transmission. After the jump are two videos, one of the studio shots and another video of the M3 GTS track action where you can here some more of the tantalising engine sound.
Autocar’s Chris Harris, whom we have got to know from other interesting test-drives on the website, presents us with a face-off that will really get the fans going. The new Nissan GT-R is pitted against two german competitors. In place of the Porsche 997 Turbo, its ‘natural’ competitor (it has the same horsepower and it was the target of Nissan engineers), we find instead the BMW M3, which is within the same price-range and the Porsche 997 GT3, more extreme and expensive but with a driving experience similar to that of the Japanese monster.
Continue reading: Video: Autocar drives the Nissan GT-R, BMW M3 and the Porsche 997 GT3