E92 m3 gts

[E46Fanatic]

The M3 just got really serious.. Nice color...--------Even when you see it from a distance, you are instantly electrified. As a BMW M enthusiast, every step you take towards the orange painted concept vehicle of the BMW M3 GTS with its numerous matt black applications raises your adrenaline level a little more.Exclusive 19-inch wheels with ample 225/35 tyres at the front and 285/30 at the rear catch your eye.All this is certainly nice looking and sensible, but what you glimpse through the spokes of the aluminium wheel rims is even more exciting: a generously sized fixed caliper brake system with six pistons at the front and four at the rear.The wheels almost fill out the wheel arches, but if you look closely you discover the next highlight. Yellow springs with a small M logo provide the crucial clue: a threaded suspension, adjustable in compression and rebound. “The rear axle support is bolted in place,” adds the responsible engineer.The expert will also spot the adjustable front splitter and rear wing. One thing is clear: this car is serious stuff. Not only can a high level of downforce be generated but it also precisely adjustable at front and rear. Fast bends can look forward to welcoming the BMW M3 GTS - but they won’t get to see it for long.Which brings us to the next question: what does it weigh?“The serial production BMW M3 is already weight-optimised with a whole range of measures reserved for the BMW M3 CSL in the last model - the striking carbon lightweight roof, for example.”So the engineers had to get back to work again to come up with more. Light body-contoured seats are a must.A cluster of lightweight construction measures such as optimisation of the insulation, the use of lightweight parts in the interior, the use of Macrolon for the car’s windows in the back, the lack of air conditioning, navigation and radio and the entire rear seat also gets the scales the down.And the new titanium rear silencer not only looks great and contributes to the thrilling sound of the BMW M3 GTS, it is also much lighter than its serial production counterpart.Indispensable for safety reasons: the lightweight construction body has been prepared for installation of the 6-point seatbelt included for use on the race track. There are also mounts for the roll-over protective structure bolted on from the B column. A fire extinguisher and a battery master switch/emergency shut-off preparation do not make the car lighter either - but safer.So the BMW M3 GTS concept vehicle puts the scales up to around 1490 kilograms - causing the engineer to give an appreciative nod.And the drivetrain? The heart of the BMW M3 GTS?The car is fitted with a 7-speed M dual clutch transmission with adapted shift characteristics. But an absolute highlight is to be found under the bonnet. Exclusively for the BMW M3 GTS, the engine builders of BMW M - recent winners of the Engine of the Year Award once again - have developed a power unit based on the M high-performance engine of the current BMW M3: with a capacity of 4.4 litres and an output of some 450 bhp, it will catapult the light BMW M3 GTS into a whole new sphere.After all, the aim is to clearly beat the lap time of the legendary M3 CSL on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. And test runs certainly give grounds for optimism.The BMW M3 GTS is manufactured to order on an individual basis at the BMW M production workshops.The price of the BMW M3 GTS with the features shown is expected to be EUR 115,000.- for delivery in Germany, including 19% VAT.The first vehicles are due to be supplied in May 2010. For technical reasons relating to registration, the first vehicles to be produced will be those for individual registration in Germany. According to current planning, registrations in other countries will be possible from summer 2010.

 

[ken]

below article from autocar UK ....


BMW’s M division is back in the business of building specialty street legal race cars with a new lightweight version of the M3 called the GTS.

The lightweight coupe, due to go on sale in the UK in early 2010 for 115,000 euro (£102,000), has been conceived as a limited edition model primarily for club based racing in much the same way Porsche produces the 911 GT3 Clubsport.

But in a clear effort to link its track based activities with the production car side of its business, BMW’s M division is offering the new car with an homologation package that will allow potential customers to register the M3 GTS for street use.

Helping to distinguish the new track orientated M3 from the standard versions of the iconic two door is a body kit based on that used on BMW’s 320si race car campaigned in the WTCC (World Touring Car Championship).

It includes a deeper front air dam with an integral splitter element as well as a sizeable adjustable boot lid mounted rear wing. The traditional kidney grille and air vents within the front fenders also come in a dark finish.

BMW M division engineers have also given the M3 GTS a carbon fibre roof and dispensed with much of the sound proofing material within the bodyshell as part of a weight saving initiative aimed at raising performance. The new car is claimed to weight no more than 1500kg – some 155kg less than its standard sibling.

Inside, there’s a spartan interior which dispenses with many of the M3’s usual luxuries. The standard trim is replaced by simple carbon fibre and alcantara panels while hard shell front seats, six point harnesses, roll cage and fire extinguisher all form part of the race grade package. Customers will also be able to specify the new BMW with a basic sound system and air conditioning unit.

At the heart of the M3 GTS is a heavily revised version of the M3’s 4.0-litre V8 engine. It has been increased in capacity by 10 per cent, with longer stroke extending the 90-degree unit out to 4.4-litres as part of efforts to provide the GTS with increased low end performance while retaining the strong top end attributes for which the standard engine is renowned.

Other changes include a larger carbon fibre inlet manifold, reworked throttle body butterflies, cast aluminium pistons, a stiffer crankcase and revisions to the sump to provide more reliable oil scavenging at high cornering speeds.

No specific output has been revealed but peak power is claimed to have increased by around 30bhp over the standard M3, taking it up to 450bhp and providing the M3 GTS with a power to weight ratio of 300bhp/tonne.

The increased under bonnet reserves are channeled through a beefed up version of BMW M Division’s seven speed DKG (double clutch gearbox) Drivelogic transmission boating remote shift paddles like those found on the standard M3.

The Getrag engineered unit has been modified with ratios unique to the GTS, more resilient clutch plates and altered software mapping – all aimed at reducing shift times and providing an even more aggressive action in manual mode.

The M3’s electronic M differential has also been tweaked for greater lock up on overrun, while the DSC (dynamic stability control) receives revised software mapping designed specifically for competition use.

Underneath, the M3’s aluminum intensive MacPherson strut (front) and multi-link (rear) suspension has been heavily revised with altered geometry and a rear sub-frame that bolts directly to the body.

The dampers have also been reworked with adjustment threads allowing adjustment of the compression and rebound characteristics. Unsprung masses have also been reduced through the adoption of new 19-inch cast aluminium competition wheels shod with 255/35 ZR 19 (front) and 285/30 ZR 19 (rear) Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tyres.

Changes to the brakes see the single piston floating caliper units used on the standard M3 replaced by new fixed calipers with six pistons up front and four pistons at the rear.

 

[E46Fanatic]

Interesting. Standard M3 gets 19' forged wheels, while the GTS gets 19' cast aluminium wheels. Either that or it was a typo?