Check out our list of the top 10 reasons the M3 is the quintessential sports car.
1. PRACTICAL
She can move but she can carry, too.
2. LOOKS
Can you find a better looking BMW out there? She just might be the fairest one of all (time).
3. BUILD QUALITY
Solidly built – the rigidity of the moon. The M3 refuses to be pushed around.
4. SIZE/SPACE
People, not limited to children, can ride comfortably in the backseat.
5. SUBTLETY
The M3 doesn’t look over the top ostentatious. It’s too classy for that.
6. THE M BUTTON
Tread lightly, or feel the tires spin into otherworldly speeds.
7. THE NOISE
Or rather, the glorious soundtrack. The volume responds accordingly to the passion employed by your right foot.
8. DSC AND M DYNAMIC MODE
The last generation M3 let you keep the DSC on or turn it off completely, trusting you to not put your car in a nasty drift. Now, with M Dynamic Mode, you can tell the systems to calm down a bit, while retaining a comfortable safety net.
9. SPEED
414 horsepower. 0 – 60mph in 4.3 seconds. The end.
10. FUN
The heart-thumping factor is off the charts.
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Launch of the new BMW 3 Series
BMW 3 Series most successful vehicle in premium segment
More than 12 million cars sold since 1975
Reithofer: New BMW 3 Series will continue success story
Investments of over one billion euros in global production
Munich. The BMW Group will launch the new BMW 3 Series Sedan, the sixth generation of its most important high-volume model, in early February 2012. “We are confident that the new BMW 3 Series will build on the tremendous success of its predecessors,” said Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Norbert Reithofer, at the world premiere in Munich on Friday. More than 12 million models from this series have been sold since the first generation was launched in 1975. “That makes the BMW 3 Series the world’s most successful premium vehicle,” added Reithofer.
New BMW 3 Series Sedan on the market from February 11
The new BMW 3 Series Sedan will reach markets worldwide on February 11, 2012. “The sixth generation of the BMW 3 Series is the sportiest car in its segment and offers sheer driving pleasure at the highest level,” commented Reithofer. The 328i and 335i models with petrol engine and the 320d and 320d EfficientDynamics diesel variants will be offered at market launch. Prices for the above models will lie between 35,350 euros (320d) and 43,600 euros (335i).
The new 3 Series Sedan offers a choice of four strong, refined, fuel-efficient engines that operate with the new BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. Additional variants will join the model line-up in spring 2012. A full-hybrid version of the new BMW 3 Series will also be available in autumn 2012.
More performance, less consumption – also thanks to innovative lightweight construction
The new BMW 3 Series Sedan exceeds the already outstanding performance of the previous model, but, at the same time, is even more fuel-efficient. The vehicle also offers greater driving comfort. The new BMW 3 Series is larger (+93 millimetres) and noticeably more spacious. There is also more legroom behind the front seats (+15 millimetres), as well as more headroom (+8 millimetres). Despite the increase in size, smart lightweight construction ensures that the vehicle is still up to 45 kilograms lighter than the previous model, depending on the engine.
In combination with fuel-saving EfficientDynamics technologies, this also has a positive impact on consumption: For instance, the 320d EfficientDynamics Edition with an engine output of 163 hp uses only 4.1 litres/100 kilometres in the EU test cycle, with CO2 emissions of 109 g/km. The BMW 335i with six-cylinder engine and 306 hp has a fuel consumption of between 7.2 and 7.9 litres/100 kilometres in the EU test cycle, depending on vehicle configuration. The Auto Start-Stop function comes as standard for all engine-transmission versions. “With EfficientDynamics, we have a highly-effective package of efficiency technologies which we have integrated throughout our entire line-up,” commented Reithofer.
The new BMW 3 Series models also feature a so-called Driving Experience Control. Alongside COMFORT, SPORT, and SPORT+ settings, there is also an Eco Pro mode, which enables additional fuel savings, depending on individual driving style, of up to 20%.
New BMW 3 Series offers unique innovations in its class
The new BMW 3 Series Sedan features a range of innovations that are unique in its vehicle class. BMW is the first manufacturer in the premium midrange segment to offer not only a Head-Up Display option, which projects all key data directly into the driver’s line of vision on the windscreen, but also an optional eight-speed transmission for all engines with Auto Start-Stop function. This also has a positive impact on fuel economy.
With BMW ConnectedDrive, the car also offers the latest in infotainment services, as well as numerous assistance systems to make the vehicle even safer and more convenient. These include Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, lane change and lane departure warning with collision warning and Surround View. The parking assistant also takes care of manoeuvring the vehicle into parking spaces. Real-time traffic info (RTTI) and special apps for accessing social networks are further options.
The new BMW 3 Series will also be available for the first time in “Sport Line,” “Modern Line” and “Luxury Line” configurations, which will offer customers additional opportunities for customising their vehicle.
Main markets: U.S., China, U.K. and Germany
The new BMW 3 Series will be built at the Group’s plants in Munich, Regensburg and Rosslyn (South Africa). The company is investing more than one billion euros worldwide in its plants in this connection. The main markets for the vehicle will be the U.S. (24%), China (22%), the U.K. (16%), Germany (10%) and the remaining European countries (14%).
Around 2.8 million models of the BMW 3 Series now being phased out have been sold since its market launch in March 2005. Last year alone, the BMW Group sold about 399,000 of these highly-successful models – which therefore accounted for just under
33% of total BMW brand deliveries. “The new BMW 3 Series has excellent prospects for expanding its leading global market position,” noted Reithofer.
The world premiere of the new BMW 3 Series can also be followed from 4:00 p.m. by Video Live Stream at www.bmwgroup.com and www.press.bmwgroup.com. Photos will be available for download from 5:15 p.m. in our PressClub at www.press.bmwgroup.com
Humorous as ever, Jeremy Clarkson test drives the all-new 1 Series M against such competitors as the Porsche Carrera and Lotus’s Evora. The 1M defeats both in an awesome display of power. Hint: action begins at 2:15!
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We’ve been familiar with the all-new 2011 5 Series. After some patient(?) waiting, we are finally being introduced to its lofty brother, the 2012 M5, the king of the luxury supersedan. Rather than the old M5′s V10, this model showcases a newly designed twin-turbo V8, a 0-62 mph time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph. Other additions include more electronics, a 7-speed double clutch transmission, gorgeous 19″ light alloy wheels (exclusive to M cars), and an astounding 28.5 mpg fuel average.
It’s hard to even conjure the adjectives to describe this beastly yet elegant sedan. Has there been a fiercer BMW? 560 horsepower says no. In fact, bulging from under the M5′s sleek bonnet lies BMW’s most powerful production engine ever. Maybe that explains why they are storing the M5 in a hangar (image above). It can almost fly.
Blue skies with puffy white clouds accentuate the beauty of this 2003 M3. Springtime is here, and convertible season is upon us!
This M3 has just been SOLD.
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It looks so fast it’s likely to crack any speedometer but a BMW’s. Its estimated horsepower is around 580. This is likely to put the M5 at the top of the world’s mid-size supersedan class.
We are assured by BMW that the Concept M5 (pictured above) is nearly identical to the production model that will be for sale next year. The Concept will debut at the Shanghai Auto Show starting in 2 weeks.
We haven’t been told all the details yet but we do know that the engine will be downsized to a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 instead of the current generation’s V-10. It will be similar to the power-packed engine that sits in the X5 M and the X6 M. The smaller engine will reduce emissions by 25%.
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