The BMW M3 CRT or Carbon Racing Technology model is being released. It’s based on the M3 sedan and is a four-door variant of the M3 GTS Coupé. The driving force behind the model is BMW’s increasingly extensive use of lightweight materials, and the M3 CRT comes in at 45 kg less than the standard sedan, for a total of 1,580 kg.

The bonnet, roof and seats all use CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastic), which will also appear on BMW’s future ‘i’ electric models to counteract the weight of the battery packs to be used. The M3 CRT also gets a new titanium exhaust. The model is available only in Frozen Polar Silver tint, and has a black grille and exterior trim around the air intakes, and some red highlights around the aerodynamic features.

On the inside the black and red combination continues with red leather seats and rear separated sports seats which replace the classic bench seat. That makes the M3 CRT a four-seater car. The engine is a 4.4-litre V8 with 450 hp, M-DCT seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and a sprint time to 100 of 4.4 seconds. Top speed is 290 km/hr. A new coilover suspension has been fitted and we also get stability control and DSC traction control. Only 67 M3 CRT cars will be made at a price of about 130,000 euros.

Continue reading: BMW M3 CRT pics and details

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In the pics we see the BMW M3 Carbon Edition specific for the Chinese car market. It’s the third in a series of M3 special editions for China and indicates just how well BMW has courted that market. The model is as its name suggests, and uses carbonfibre for the roof, front splitter and air vents and the rear wing. The interior is also decked out in the minimalist material.

We love the M3 Carbon Edition’s bright white exterior and black stripes up the bonnet. It’s a pricey model though, with a starting price of about €130,000. See more pics and details from M3Post and autohome.com.cn.

In the meantime, Autocar is reporting that a hardcore BMW M3 sedan is on its way as a final version before the new 2012 M3 arrives next year. The last special edition will use the same 4.4-litre V8 engine as the coupé, but will be lighter than the sedan on which it’s based. Power will be between the 414 hp of the standard model, and the GTS 444 hp. That doesn’t give it much of a window but the British mag says it could reach the latter figure.

Apparently “several other surprises” are planned for the model to give it a fitting swansong before the new version arrives. It could be an opportunity to experiment with some styling upgrades before moving on to the new model, including new front and rear bumpers, lightweight body panels and a new front splitter and rear diffuser. While a sedan model, this new M3 is designed to take the place of the M3 CSL model, which sits between the standard and GTS versions. No news is available as to when we might actually see this.

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The lightweight M3 sedan that has been developed for the M Festival looks like it won’t be going to production in the future. The vehicle, more or less based on the BMW M3 GTS coupe but with four doors, will go on show at the festival taking place at the 24 hours Nurburgring in June.

Predictions about whether it would be produced now have to take into account the fact that Matt Russell of the M division for North America has stated that at least in that market, there won’t be an M3 sedan. He cites tight production times and problems with US homologation as the main reasons, but does mention that the components used on the lightweight model could carry across to other models.

We assume that means we probably won’t be seeing it in Europe either, but nothing specific was mentioned. Meanwhile, after Russell mentioned his interest in the new Ferrari four-wheel drive system used on the FF, speculation is now on whether we could see an all-wheel drive M model in the future. Extra weight would be an issue but a BMW M3 4WD is a tantalising prospect….

Source | M3Post via Autoblog.com

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