2012 BMW M3

2012 BMW M3 CRT is an M3 GTS with four doors. Read about the new lightweight BMW sports sedan 2012 BMW M3 SPY SHOTS, 2012 BMW M3 SPY SHOTS, 2012 BMW M3 SPY SHOTS, 2012 BMW M3 SPY SHOTS, 2012 BMW M3 SPY SHOTS

2012 BMW M3

2012 BMW M3

2012 BMW M3

2012 BMW M3

2012 BMW M3

Could this be the next design for the best seller in the BMW family, the 3 series? The current E90 BMW 3-series has only been on the market since 2005 but details about the next-gen model are already circulating with most agreeing that the next model will feature styling lifted from the Concept CS.

Due in 2012, the next BMW 3-series will be the first of a family of BMW cars with a more recognizable face derived from the original styling of the Shanghai concept.With the new 3-series, designers will attempt to address criticisms of the current car’s awkward styling and lack of interior space. These renderings, compiled using information from sources close to the project show that the new car will have a pronounced kidney-grille with the air-intakes positioned on either side of the bumper just below the headlights.

New options for the 2012 3-series will include hybrid variants as well as the latest version of BMW’s Efficient Dynamics. The X-Drive AWD system is likely to gain favour thanks to a redesign of the system to reduce weight, which will only increase fuel consumption by 0.5L per 100km over RWD models.

Other features that may make it to production include night-vision devices, a heads-up display and radar safety systems.

2012 BMW M3

2012 BMW M3

2012 BMW M3

2012 BMW M3

 

 

 

We first told you about BMW’s upcoming lightweight M3 sedan when it debuted as a concept car in April, following that up with a series of spy photos in May. Well, June is nearing its end, and we’d feel just horrible if we missed a monthly installment, so today we’re on to the thrilling conclusion in this three-part series. (At least until the surprise follow-up, when we drive the thing.)

In the lead-up to the Nürburgring 24 Hours race, BMW used its “M Night” celebration to debut the production version of this supersedan, officially called the BMW M3 CRT Lightweight Sedan, CRT standing for Carbon Racing Technologies. Unless you think every sports car needs a roll cage, which appeared on the M3 GTS coupe, the CRT won’t disappoint. (BMW has released video of the car; you can watch it here.)

Our earlier reports speculated that the sedan would make use of a standard M3’s 4.0-liter V-8, making a healthy 414 horsepower, but that won’t be the case. The CRT instead shares the GTS’s 4.4-liter, delivering 450 hp at a screaming 8300 rpm and 324 lb-ft of torque peaking at 3750 revs. Its crankcase is constructed out of an aluminum-silicon alloy, it has individual throttle butterflies, and its exhaust gasses exit through a sport exhaust system with a lightweight titanium muffler.

Carbon Fiber, Now With More Rigidity

This car isn’t called the M3 CRT Big Horsepower though, so let’s get to the things that make it lighter than a standard M3 sedan. Benefitting from new manufacturing processes developed for the carbon-intensive BMW i3 and i8 models coming in 2013, the M3 CRT has a hood that consists of two carbon-fiber sheets encasing an aramid composite honeycomb for added rigidity. As a result, it has the strength of a traditional steel hood with just a quarter of the weight. Compared to a normal M3’s aluminum piece, the weight is halved. Inside the cabin, the front bucket seats use the same process and therefore benefit from the same weight savings. The result is a car that weighs just 3483 pounds despite standard equipment that includes a dual-clutch transmission, navigation, a high-end BMW Individual audio system, and parking sensors. BMW says that, while the official weight savings is 100 pounds, if all this equipment is considered, the real savings is over 150 pounds. And considered alongside the car’s added horsepower, the cuts are good for a ratio of 7.7 pounds for each pony to carry, an improvement of roughly one full pound over the regular M3 sedan.

Upcoming Cars in 2012 BMW M3 With Prices, Specification And Reviews and Pictures

The X5M and X6M have been announced, and both of them have a juicy twin-turbo V8. The hopped up version of the X6 XDrive48i’s engine throws down 555 horsepower and 501 lb-feet of torque. Both of those numbers are FAR ahead of the 500 horsepower and (seemingly paltry in comparison) 383 lb-feet of torque from the current M5′s naturally-aspirated V10.

Which is why I have reason to believe that this exact same engine, is destined for the next BMW M5 and M6. It’s far less expensive to pump up and turbocharge their oft-used 4.4-liter V8 than to put together a special V10 specifically for the M5 and M6. Turbochargers allow for both high power, MUCH higher torque, and better MPG than the alternative. Not to mention, take a look at the 0-60 times – the BMW M5 throws it down in a claimed 4.7 seconds. The X5M and X6M, porkers both, throw it down in 4.5 seconds, despite being almost 1,000 pounds heavier each than the M5 and M6.

The first Upcoming Cars 2012 BMW 3 Series info has just surfaced the web as the next generation model was caught on camera while testing on the Nurburgring. Unfortunately, the car in the spy photos is heavily camouflaged, but it does seem to be the sedan version.

The Upcoming Cars 2012 BMW 3 Series is expected to hit the showroom floor on the EU market sometime next year, with the USA market following soon. The 2012 BMW 3 Series Touring and coupe will also follow

2012 BMW M3