The E92 M3 GTS

M3 GTS at the Autosport International Show 2011.

In November 2009, M GmbH presented the BMW M3 GTS, the direct successor to the M3 CSL (E46). The model was limited to 150 units and offered at a price of € 136,850. The lightweight M3 weighs only 1530 kilograms (according to DIN, corresponds to 1605 kg according to EU standards) – which corresponds to a weight saving of 50 kilograms compared to the series M3. The displacement of the engine was increased to 4.4 liters by a larger piston stroke, the output increased to 331 kW.

Instead of the rear seats, the GTS has a screwed roll bar behind the B-pillar, which can be expanded into a full-fledged roll cage. The body offers mounting points for the installation of racing four- or six-point seat belts from Schroth. In addition, there is also a mounting option for a fire extinguisher behind the front seats.

 

 

The BMW M3 GTS was individually built in the BMW Motorsport Manufactory according to customer orders and initially approved for road traffic in Germany. The first models were delivered from May 2010.

As a sedan counterpart to the M3 GTS, BMW presented the M3 CRT in 2011, 67 of which were sold from 2012. The abbreviation CRT stands for Carbon Racing Technology and indicates the weight loss of approx. 70 kg compared to a similarly equipped production M3 sedan. The sedan is powered by the engine of the BMW M3 GTS, but in comparison to this, the CRT does not have a roll cage or 4-point belts. Particularly noticeable on the M3 CRT are the silver-matt paintwork, red color accents on the body and in the interior, as well as a titanium exhaust system.

In 2010 BMW produced the ultimate M3 Coupé, equipped with the largest engine that the German automobile manufacturer has ever installed in a 3 Series.

Some people knew the M3 GTS from the “Need for Speed” saga, where it was the trophy car at the end of the “Most Wanted” game. In real life, the coupe was only made to order and built as a racetrack focused car. But BMW offered the owners an option to modify it and make it street legal. The car also marked the 25th anniversary of the first BMW M3, the E30.

BMW built the M3 GTS on the basis of the regular M3 body. At the front there was a new front bumper with a carbon fiber splitter at the bottom. There were no fog lights, and all three grilles on the apron were functional, cooling the engines and brakes. The light bonnet carried a power dome in the middle, flanked by two ventilation slots behind it. On the sides, the aerodynamically profiled side skirts were unique to the GTS, while at the rear there was a large adjustable wing on the trunk lid. Under the rear bumper, BMW installed a splitter and four exhaust systems.

Inside, the interior has been reduced to the bare essentials. There were thinner door panels and a lighter center console. The automatic climate control and stereo were removed from the center console but were available as options. BMW removed the rear seats and installed an FIA-approved roll cage in the cabin, which further stiffened the chassis.

 

 


Above the glove compartment is a GTS logo with 2 checker flags and below the serial number of the vehicle, which shows which of the total of 150 vehicles it is, and thus underlines the exclusivity and strict limitation of the BMW E92 M3 GTS.

But the most important part of the car was the engine and powertrain. The 4.4-liter V8 engine was tuned by the BMW motorsport department and sends its power to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. The car manufacturer installed a fully adjustable coilover kit for the chassis. There was also a new brake system with ventilated and drilled discs in all corners to shorten the braking distance.

 

M3 GTS

M3 CRT

Motorart

Ottomotor

Motorbauart

V8-Motor

Einbaulage

Vorn längs

Ventile/Nockenwellen

4 pro Zylinder

Nockenwellen

2 obenliegende pro Bank

Hubraum

4361 cm³

Bohrung × Hub

92,0 mm × 82,0 mm

Verdichtung

12,0 : 1

max. Leistung bei min−1

331 kW (450 PS) bei 8300

max. Drehmoment bei min−1

440 Nm bei 3750

Getriebe

7-Gang-Doppel­kupplungs­getriebe

Bremsen-⌀ vorn

378 mm

Bremsen-⌀ hinten

380 mm

Bremsscheiben­ausführung rundum

innenbelüftet + gelocht

Reifen vorn

255/35 R19

245/35 R19

Reifen hinten

285/30 R19

265/35 R19

L/B/H

4645 mm × 1804 mm × 1387 mm

4614 mm × 1817 mm × 1416 mm

Radstand

2760 mm

Beschleunigung 0–100 km/h

4,4 s

4,3 s

Beschleunigung 0–200 km/h

14,5 s

14,7 s

0–1000 m

22,5 s

22,5 s

Höchstgeschwindigkeit

305 km/h

290 km/h

Leistungsgewicht

4,6 kg/kW (3,4 kg/PS)

4,8 kg/kW (3,5 kg/PS)

Leergewicht nach DIN

1530 kg

1587 kg

Zuladung

350 kg

383 kg

Tankvolumen

63 l

ECE-Normverbrauch auf 100 km

12,7 l Super Plus

14,4 l Super Plus

Grundpreis

136.850 €

130.000 €

 

The distinctive color alone – the BMW Individual fire orange special paintwork – signals that this BMW M is in attack mode and wants to be let go. The paintwork stands out expressively from the matt black painted, 19-inch M light alloy wheels in Y-spoke design, the likewise black rear wing, the front spoiler lip and the roof made of lightweight CFRP. Ingredients that still make the BMW M3 GTS exceptional today. Quite a quick and rare one.

The power unit is a further developed V8 high-speed engine.

The engine for the M3 GTS was redesigned based on the engine of the BMW M3 at the time, and the displacement of the eight-cylinder engine with its high-speed concept was increased from 4.0 to 4.4 liters. This means that the M3 GTS with 331 kW / 450 PS at an impressive 8,300 rpm has exactly 30 PS more than the production model. The maximum torque has also been increased, from 400 to 440 Nm, which is available at 3,750 rpm. In this way, the pilot has the power available over a particularly wide speed range. The power is transmitted from the M double clutch transmission with Drivelogic, the 7-speed transmission enables particularly sporty gear changes without interrupting tractive power. The lightweight sports exhaust system with titanium rear silencers was specially developed for the M3 GTS.

More performance by extending the stroke

The only applicable formula for the BWM M3 GTS was therefore: More power and torque through more displacement. The increase from 3,999 to 4,361 cubic centimeters does not take place, as one would initially assume, via a larger bore, but via a stroke that is 6.8 millimeters longer (82 compared to 75.2 millimeters). This not only increases the output of the eight-cylinder by 30 hp at the same maximum speed, but also the maximum torque by 40 Newton meters. All in all, thanks to a new crank drive, the naturally aspirated engine in the BMW M3 GTS with a displacement of 4.4 liters brings it to 440 Newton meters at 3,750 rpm. The characteristic design features derived from motorsport have of course been adopted from the BMW M3 basic engine, including the crankcase constructed as a bedplate made of a special aluminum-silicon alloy, the individual throttle valves and a wet sump oil supply that has been modified in accordance with the increased dynamics.

 

Many adjustments were made to reduce the weight of the BMW M3 GTS. In addition to the CFRP roof known from the BMW M3 series vehicle and the titanium rear silencer, additional kilograms were saved: with lighter materials in the door panels and center console as well as the use of polycarbonate for the rear side windows and the rear window. In addition, the rear seat bench was removed and customers had the option of saving further weight by eliminating the automatic air conditioning and audio system. This resulted in an empty weight of only 1,530 kilograms, which resulted in an impressive power-to-weight ratio of only 3.4 kilograms per hp and outstanding performance. The M3 GTS sprints from 0 to 100 km / h in 4.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 305 km / h.

Purebred motorsport ingredients also characterize the chassis. The limited M3 GTS differs from the standard BMW M3 in that it has a coilover kit, the dampers of which can be adjusted independently of each other in rebound and compression. For racing use, the camber on the front and rear axles as well as the vehicle height can also be adapted to the respective race track. In order to master the increased performance and possible use on the track, there are reinforced brakes on the axles of the vehicle at the front and rear. The high-performance brake system with a fixed calliper construction consists of six pistons on the front and four pistons on the rear wheels. Size matters: Compared to the BMW M3, the brake discs also have a diameter that is 18 millimeters larger at the front and 30 millimeters at the rear.

In the interior, racing bucket seats, interior trim made of carbon and an M steering wheel with a non-slip Alcantara cover inspire. The door and side panels in the rear are also made of this material. In addition, in the M3 GTS there is the firmly screwed roll bar with attachment points for six-point seat belts, including the extension option for the roll cage. The included six-point seat belts for the driver and front passenger and a fire extinguisher are also part of the standard equipment – everything in the service of performance and safety.

Due to the increased potential of the M3 GTS, the coordination of the driving stability control DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) including ABS and the M Dynamic Mode (MDM) has been adapted to the high performance. The aerodynamics have also been optimized. The ambitious GTS pilot has the option of individually adapting the front apron and rear wing elements. Options derived from BMW M’s many years of racing experience. The best conditions for attacking the best track times. At that time like today.

More performance by extending the stroke

The only applicable formula for the BWM M3 GTS was therefore: More power and torque through more displacement. The increase from 3,999 to 4,361 cubic centimeters does not take place, as one would initially assume, via a larger bore, but via a stroke that is 6.8 millimeters longer (82 compared to 75.2 millimeters). This not only increases the output of the eight-cylinder by 30 hp at the same maximum speed, but also the maximum torque by 40 Newton meters. All in all, thanks to a new crank drive, the naturally aspirated engine in the BMW M3 GTS with a displacement of 4.4 liters brings it to 440 Newton meters at 3,750 rpm. The characteristic design features derived from motorsport have of course been adopted from the BMW M3 basic engine, including the crankcase constructed as a bedplate made of a special aluminum-silicon alloy, the individual throttle valves and a wet sump oil supply that has been modified in accordance with the increased dynamics.

Gear change with a short finger movement

A special lightweight exhaust system with pre-catalytic converters and titanium rear silencers also ensures an optimized flow of exhaust gas in the BMW M3 GTS. The 7-speed dual clutch transmission (M DKG Drivelogic) is also an addition from the BMW M3 kit, but one that is adapted to the new conditions of the engine. With its polished gearshift characteristics without interruptions in tractive power and its spontaneity in response to the commands issued by the shift paddles on the steering wheel, this power transmission is so technically perfect and at the same time entertaining in the test process that you can’t think of a more appealing alternative.

In order to master the increased performance and possible use on the track, there are reinforced brakes on the axles of the vehicle at the front and rear. The high-performance brake system with a fixed calliper construction consists of six pistons on the front and four pistons on the rear wheels. Size matters: Compared to the BMW M3, the brake discs also have a diameter that is 18 millimeters larger at the front and 30 millimeters at the rear.

t at the BMW M3 Coupé, a new world is opening up with the BMW M3 GTS. The 17 second lap time difference on the Nordschleife compared to the BMW M3 GTS indicates a significantly increased performance, primarily in the area of ​​driving dynamics. While the BMW M3 GTS generally shows exemplary self-steering behavior at high speeds, it tends to prance nervously and in slow corners also tends to understeer, especially in the tough racing set-up that is driven here. The large fixed caliper brake system is also permanently fade-resistant.

With the “more comfortable” setup, the BMW M3 GTS is no slower on this level track than with the lower racing set-up. In both cases a Hockenheim lap time of 1.12.5 minutes. The somewhat stronger wheel load changes even dampen the tendency to understeer, which also increases driving pleasure. Either way, the BMW M3 GTS Coupé does not know any critical attacks. The steering behavior is definitely sports car-like, as is the braking effect. The performance of the drive train is almost a cause for enthusiasm.