Bmw M3 Concept

[carbonrevo]

Presented at the Geneva Motor Show, the BMW M3 Concept Car previews the next generation M3 series model. The muscular design is coupled with a new V8 engine capable of 420 hp.The basic form for the BMW M3 Concept Car is a derivative of the new BMW 3 Series Coupé.

The few components adopted directly from the series model are the headlamps and taillamps and, for the body, the two doors and the luggage compartment lid.Apart from the supporting vehicle structure, all the other body elements have been newly developed and designed from the ground up.Unique features for the BMW M3 Concept Car are the special trim at the front and rear, the engine compartment lid with its bulging Powerdome and two air intakes, the lateral air slots in the front side walls, the side skirts and the exterior mirrors in a BMW M typical design.

The three front large air intakes below the cooling grille supply the engine with additional intake and cooling air. Strong, vertical struts delineate the air intakes and enhance their characteristic form.BMW M3 ConceptThe aluminium engine compartment lid exhibits a wide bulging curvature known as the Powerdome.

The contours of the Powerdome and air intakes are in line with the forward-pointing sweep of the engine compartment lid and harmoniously blend into the overall design of the front, which is longer than that of the BMW 3 Series Coupé.Together with the double kidney grille typical of BMW and the flat headlamp units, they lend the BMW M3 Concept Car a highly dynamic character.The muscular front wheel arches are combined with the forged 19-inch light alloy rims in the classic Y-spoke design, to emphasise the vehicle’s wide track and dynamic character.BMW M3 ConceptThe opening behind the wheel arch on the front side wall, which the designers refer to as gills, has an elaborate three-dimensional form that is split by a discreet chrome bracket containing the direction indicator and the M3 logo.Two arched surfaces form the pronounced side skirt, creating a purposefully designed contrast between light and shadow.By giving the side wall a lower appearance, the side skirt lends the car a lighter, sportier look from this angle.The incidence of light on the likewise sharply defined rear wing and wheel stresses the dynamic character of this vehicle and visually highlights its rear-wheel drive.The design of the side skirt corresponds with the shape of the strongly pronounced contour line. The play of light and shadow between the parallel contours of the skirt and contour line brings about a tightness in design that emphasises the individual character of the BMW M3 Concept Car even more strongly.The exterior mirrors feature a black double foot that reminds the viewer of the wings of an aircraft.BMW M3 ConceptThe rear end picks up on the design of the car’s front. The side lines gradually sink toward the rear and the wings end in a modelled hollow flute, emphasising the rear-wheel drive and visualising the dynamics of the car.From any angle, the rear creates the impression of a pronounced wheel orientation and a muscular stance.A visually discreet spoiler lip on the luggage compartment lid, also called a Gurney flap, optimally channels the air at the rear and additionally reduces lift on the rear axle.The contours of the diffuser, whose design is subdivided by modelled struts, mirror the shape of the air intakes at the front.The diffuser and the double exhaust tailpipes positioned close to the vehicle’s longitudinal axis appear to pull the rear together at the centre and build up a tension in conjunction with the horizontal lines of the bumper. The tailpipes have a round cross section and are cut off vertically, as is typical for BMW M models.The roof is constructed of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) with an exclusive production method in which the structure of material remains visible and the finely structured surface is only coated with a layer of clear finish.Seen from the side, it lets the roof edge appear flatter and thus lowers the perceived body height. Apart from the appearance, the CFRP roof is considerably lighter than a steel roof, contributing to the the overall weight reduction and to the lowering of the centre of gravity.The M3 Concept is finished in "Chrome Shadow" paint, typical of BMW M concept studies.The new V8 Engine

BMW M3 V8 EngineAfter 15 years and two model generations, the six-cylinder unit has now found a new successor.The new BMW M3 will be powered by an eight-cylinder unit, derived from the engine that equips the M5 and M6 models.Engine displacement is 3,999 cc, maximum output is 309 kW/420 hp, max torque is 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) and the top engine speed is 8,300 rpm.The Double Vanos variable camshaft control system enables to have the 85% of the torque available from 2,000 rpm.Thanks to the extensive use of aluminum and composite materials, the total weight of the engine will be limited to just 202 kg.