It is not like this is a huge surprise, as the M3 "Concept" revealed weeks ago was pretty much the production version of the new M3. This car is pretty hot though. I am not sure what is so endearing about the M cars - it is not like anyone can really harness the capability on public roads. Hell, the 335 is arguably more than you need on a US public road. I think it is just the sinister nature of it - the fact that you know what it is capable of. It should also be enough car do give that nerd in the spoilered Accord erectile dysfunction. I also like the attention to detail - little things like special stitching, embroidered seats, subtle design tweaks. Things I miss from older M cars are door pulls that say "BMW Motor Sport" and engines that looked like they were straight from a race car. Unfortunately, this new M V8 looks like it might have been hauled for duty from a Toyota Tundra. Internally this this obviously a special engine, but c'mon - what's with the plastic manifold cover?
About that engine. The new V8 is related to theV10 from the M5/6. It displaces 4.0-liters, has features an aluminum block, magnesium cam covers and aluminum-silicon alloy in the crankcase and produces 420 hp at 8300 rpm, and 295 lb-ft at 3900 rpm. It is good enough to propel the M3 from 0 to 60mph in 4.8 seconds (about a half second quicker). As Autoweek correctly points out, though, acceleration is only part of the equation. This is not a Camaro. Handling finesse is what all BMWs have been about and a big reason why many would take an E46 M3 over the brute AWD force of an Audi RS4.
No comments:
Post a Comment