Valentino Rossi has once again grabbed the MotoGP title and two honor his victory, BMW presented him with a brand new BMW M3 sedan and let him take a few hot laps in the new 2011 BMW M3 GTS.

“With his fleet of cars acquired through the BMW M Award, Valentino Rossi is a certified expert on BMW M,” BMW said in a statement. “So it hardly came as a surprise when the nine-times MotoGP world champion expressed an urgent wish after covering the first few kilometres of the home journey at the wheel of the BMW M3 GTS: he wants to add to his private fleet an individually manufactured BMW M3 GTS made at the BMW production workshop.”

Click here to read more news on the BMW M3 GTS.

Refresher: Weighing in at 3,285 pounds (the standard BMW M3 coupe weighs 3,704 pounds), the 2011 BMW M3 GTS is powered by a 4.4L V8 making 450-hp. Power is transmitted to the wheels through a 7-speed M DKG Drivelogic gearbox.

Valentino Rossi drives the 2011 BMW M3 GTS:

- By: Kap Shah

Source: BMW

Here is something to really spice up your Monday morning. BMW has just released two videos of the new 2011 BMW M3 GTS tearing up the track.

BMW has said that the BMW M3 GTS will launch in Germany in spring 2010 – there are no plans to bring the car to the North American market.

Click here to read our original post on the 2011 BMW M3 GTS.

Make sure you check out the egmCarTech’s Videos section for more car videos.

Refresher: Weighing in at 3,285 pounds (the standard BMW M3 coupe weighs 3,704 pounds), the 2011 BMW M3 GTS is powered by a 4.4L V8 making 450-hp. Power is transmitted to the wheels through a 7-speed M DKG Drivelogic gearbox.

Click through for the two videos.

2011 BMW M3 GTS:

2011 BMW M3 GTS in Action – Part 1:

2011 BMW M3 GTS in Action – Part 2:

2011 BMW M3 GTS:

- By: Omar Rana

Manhart Racing has unveiled their latest creation called the BMW M3 E92 5.0 V10 SMG – otherwise known as “Porsche Chaser.” Manhart swapped the 420-hp V8 from the M3 and tossed in BMW’s V10 from the M5 and M6.

However, Manhart did not stop there. After a bunch of modifications by Manhart’s engineering team, the tuner pumped out a total of 550-hp from the 5.0L V10, which is now mated to a 7-speed SMG gearbox. With all the modifications complete, the Manhart BMW M3 E92 5.0 V10 SMG goes from 0 to 62 mph in a whopping 3.9 seconds with an eye-popping top speed of 208 mph.

The best part? Manhart didn’t go wild with visual modifications. The most noticeable change are the 20-inch BBS challenge-R-wheels.

Make the jump for the press release and the high-res image gallery.

Manhart Racing – BMW M3 E92 5.0 V10 SMG:

Press Release:

Manhart Racing – BMW M3 E92 5.0 V10 SMG

Porsche Chaser!

The current M3 generation is – as everyone knows – anything but underpowered. Nonetheless, there is a continuous desire for even greater performance. When you’re competing against the calibre of a Porsche 997 Turbo in particular, the 420-HP-V8 power of the M3 is no longer good enough. At Manhart Racing, we noticed a gap in the market for precisely this performance problem and developed a M3-V10-Coupé with 550 HP – not only comfortably keeping in check the Porsche Turbo with its 480 HP but also its big brother the GT2 with 530 HP. What is particularly interesting here is the fact that Günther Manhart almost exclusively sourced original parts from the BMW corporate group.

The power of 550 HP originally came from the current new version of the M5 E60 built V10 motor which – with its 5.0 L cubic capacity – just barely fits into the engine compartment of the M3 Coupé. Compulsory changes included removing the pointless Vmax bar of 250 km/h, up-dated DME-steerage and with a power of 550 HP, the catalytic convertor has a much more noticeable effect. With a differential gear boasting 100 percent bars, the 7 gear SMG gearbox was completely trounced by the M5. The species specific processing of exhaust fumes is carried out by a titanium complete system with four 84 mm thick exhaust tailpipes and two 200 Zeller-HJS running catalytic convertors. Thanks to a manageable basic weight of only 1.550 kg, the Mannhart M3 V10 accelerates to 100 km7h in only 3.9 seconds, while its highest speed is an impressive 334 km/h. This makes the M3 V10 the perfect choice for speed freaks on the Italian high speed racing track in Nardo!

For perfect contact with tarmac surfaces, Manhart Racing installed a state-of-the-art Bilstein PSS10- coilover in combination with classically attractive BBS challenge-R-wheel rims, at the front in 9Jx20 ET20 with 245/30ZR20 and behind with 10.5Jx20 ET20 with 295/25ZR20. The changes to the bodywork were somewhat limited but definitely what was needed. In this way, Manhart Racing’s engineers gave the coupé silhouette of the M3 a front and rear spoiler, a diffuser, a roof spoiler, front steel flooring and an air collector – all of course finished in exclusive carbon.

The exclusiveness continues inside the M3. Here you can also benefit from the classiest accessories straight from BMW. Performance seats provide the perfect support while also offering seat heating. An authentic motor sport feeling comes with the performance steering wheel equipped with illuminated rocker switches, ¼ mile and side acceleration display. The complete interior has a sophisticated finish thanks to a number of carbon fibre trimmings and the almost extravagant use of Alcantara and leather.

Conclusion: With a basic weight of 1.550 kg, 550 HP is a real announcement for the sports car armada from Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. If you look more closely at the Manhart M3 V10, you have to – quite rightly – ask yourself why the engineers in Munich did not already come up with the idea themselves!

All further details including prices and delivery information can be obtained directly from:

Manhart Racing GmbH & Co .KG
Am Kreuz 18-20
52511 Geilenkirchen
Germany
Tel.: +49 24 51/ 79 15
Fax: +49 24 51/ 55 47
www.manhart-racing.de
info@manhart-racing.de

- By: Stephen Calogera

G-Power has given the world some outstanding modified BMW vehicles including the M6 Hurricane, X5 Tycoon, M5 Hurricane and G4 EVO III Z4. Now, G-Power has set its sights on the new BMW M3 and has introduced, what they call, the G-Power M3 Tornado.

G-Power used a soft charging with just 0.3 bar boost, which increases output of the M3 to 500-hp with a maximum torque of 354 lb-ft. The boost of extra power comes from a G-Power supercharger system, the T1-518 ASA centrifugal supercharger. That very supercharger is also used by Alpina on the B5S, B6S and the B7.

All that extra power allows the M3 Tornado to go from 0 to 124 mph in 13.5 seconds and lets you keep going above 200 mph.

Click through for high-res images and the press release.

G-Power M3 Tornado:

Press Release:

Supercharger system provides the BMW M3 with 500 hp and a top speed of more than 320 km/h

For the current BMW M3, G-POWER offers an exquisite supercharger system that sets new standards in regards of design, quality and performance. Using gentle soft charging with just 0,3 bar (relative) boost, the output of the V8 engine is pushed from 420 hp to 500 hp and the torque increases from 400 Nm up to 480 Nm.

After 9 months of intensive development, starting with the CAD design, followed by prototyping and completed with test drives and hot climate tests in the United Arab Emirates, the result is awesome.

500 hp and 480 Nm of torque, achieved through gentle soft charging with just 0,3 bar (relative) boost, let the BMW M3 appear completely changed. Already from 3.000 rpm on the supercharged G-POWER M3 TORNADO pulls like the standard BMW M3 revving twice as much, but than the G-POWER M3 TORNADO really starts to flex its muscles: from 5.000 rpm on until redline the G-POWER M3 TORNADO provides constantly about 20 % more torque than the factory car, this provides an acceleration that feels like being dragged by a bungee cord.

This output explosion is based on the heart of the G-POWER supercharger system, the all new T1-518 ASA centrifugal supercharger. By the way the ASA superchargers are being used in the ALPINA models B5S, B6S and B7 as well, just like the ALPINA B6 GT3 race car, in witch the chargers could state there impressive quality and reliability during 3.500 km in the “Green Hell” of the Nürburgring at the 24th hour race on may 23rd and 24th!

The exclusive use of components meeting OEM standards is one of the basic elements of the G-POWER philosophy and one of the secrets for the extraordinary quality, reliability and performance of the G-POWER products.

For its mission in the G-POWER M3 TORNADO the ASA T1-518 has been literally been tailor-made, to provide the giant need for fresh air of the up to 8.300 rpm revving 4.0 litre V8 engine. But the ASA supercharger, flanged to the engine using a CNC-milled high-strength mount, is not the only high-tech component of the G-POWER M3 supercharger system. The engineers did not spare any cost or efforts during the development of this supercharger system. Amongst others they even did a sophisticated, computer aided simulation which analyses the conditions of the air-ducting engine parts. The defined goal of this extensive research is to improve the efficiency of the G-POWER supercharger system to the best possible performance. And the result proofs us right. The G-POWER supercharger system is capable of reducing the specific fuel consumption of the engine. This shows that we do not only care about performance but are concerned of the sensitive use of restricted resources like fuel, as well.

A further key figure, next to the supercharger, in the G-POWER supercharger system is the complete aluminium cast, large volume air box, including 8 lightweight integral resonance induction pipes, that is responsible for the perfect throttle response and optimal torque curve. The G-POWER M3 supercharger system is completed by the large air-to-air intercooler that is located in the vehicles front, which cools the boost temperature down to an output optimal level under all circumstances.

Of course the performance figures benefit from this huge output improvement. The figure from stand still to 200 km/h improves from 15,8 seconds (stock, 6-speed manual) to 13,5 seconds (SKI).

On demand we can enable an unlimited top speed according to the capacity of the tyres. In combination with the 20 inch G-POWER SILVERSTONE DIAMOND wheels and the MICHELIN Pilot Sport tyres in the dimension 255/30 ZR 20 and 295/25 ZR 20, a top speed of more than 320 km/h can be achieved. Especially designed for the BMW models, the G-POWER SILVERSTONE Alloy Wheel forms a contrast to the great mass of other aftermarket wheels, due to the successful combination of double spokes and the “concave design” typical of G-POWER. The G-POWER “diamond cut” provides for the fascinating dynamic appearance of the G-POWER SILVESTONE rim, in contrast to the silver-graphite coated rim body and the bolt applications of stainless steel. An additional feature of the G-POWER SILVERSTONE rim is its weight-optimised design that allows a low rim weight with the same stability, compared to other standard wheels. A perceptibly improved impression of convenience and a considerably increased agility accompany the minimisation of the unsprung mass: advantages of the G-POWER SILVERSTONE rim, which you can factually experience above all in connection with low-profile tyres. Further improvement of the road handling is realized through the continuously height-adjustable G-POWER coil-over suspension G3M-RS with nine selectable settings each for bound and rebound.

Next to the output and the suspension of the BMW M3, G-POWER has taken care of the sound, as well. The G-POWER 4-trim sport rear muffler with its 4 x 83 mm tailpipes gives the BMW V8 a deep, throaty sound that turns heads but is at now time annoying. The G-POWER M3 rear muffler is available made from stainless steel or completely out of Titanium which is 14,5 kg lighter than the factory part.

The interior is upgraded by G-POWER with precious carbon panels, a speedometer with G-POWER logo scaled to 360 km/h, a sporty aluminium pedal set and on demand a tailor-made leather interior. The exclusivity of each G-POWER M3 TORNAD is documented with a special badge in the interior and on the supercharger system that features the G-POWER serial number.

- By: Kap Shah

BMW today unveiled the M3 Edition Models, M3 Coupe models that get a little more exclusive styling and a dropped suspension. The M3 Edition Models offer four individual modifications in body design and interior features as well as 19-inch forged M light-alloy rims in double-spoke design.

Power comes from the same 4.0L V8 making 420-hp getting you from 0 to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds. The suspension of the BMW M3 Edition Models has been lowered by 10 millimeters.

The BMW M3 Edition Models will go on sale worldwide in July 2009 and will be available in Alpine White, Black, Dakar Yellow, and Monte Carlo Blue. Production will be limited to just six months.

Check out the press release after the jump for details.

BMW M3 Edition Models:

Press Release:

Munich. Powerful, aesthetic design, supreme performance and exclusive style – the unique characteristics of the BMW M3 are now available in highly attractive Edition Models focusing on the most outstanding highlights of these outstanding cars.

Based on the BMW M3 Coupé, the M3 Edition Models offer a choice of no less than four highly individual cars boasting perfectly harmonised modifications in body design and interior features as well as special light-alloy wheels and an even lower chassis.

The BMW M3 Edition Models will be entering the market worldwide in July 2009 in Alpine White, Black, Dakar Yellow, and Monte Carlo Blue. In the interest of supreme exclusivity their production period is limited to just six months.

Individual highlights both outside and inside.

On the BMW M3 Edition Models the exterior paintwork and interior design are individually matched to one another. Depending on the respective Edition model, the body comes either in Alpine White Non-Metallic, Black Non-Metallic, Dakar Yellow Non-Metallic or Monte Carlo Blue Metallic. The combination with BMW Individual High-Gloss Satin Chrome accentuates the truly sophisticated character of the Edition Models.

The openings on the engine compartment lid on all models are finished in black, the BMW kidney grille, the side gills and the dual tailpipes on the exhaust system come in dark eloxy-plated chrome. The caps on the special BMW M exterior mirrors are likewise finished in black and are connected to the A-pillars by dual arms extending out of the mirror base finished in body colour.

Special colour highlights add an individual touch also to the interior of the BMW M3 Edition Models. The surfaces on the centre armrest, the centre console and the armrests on the door panels are finished in White on the Alpine White and Black models. At the same time these Edition Models come with interior trim in Carbon Structure Leather with white contrasting seams. The seats in Black Novillo Leather feature bespoke contrasting seams as well as vertical trim stripes on the upper section of the backrest and at the front of the legrest. On the Alpine White and Black models, these features come in white, on the Dakar Yellow and Monte Carlo Blue models they are in the appropriate exterior colour.

As a further feature the armrests and door closing handles at the inside on the Dakar Yellow and Monte Carlo Blue models come with yellow and, respectively, blue contrasting seams. And last but certainly not least, entry trim bars in Checkered Flag Design bearing the “M3″ model designation give all Edition Models yet another highlight.

Special rim design and lowered suspension.

To optimise the looks of the car, all four Edition Models come with specially designed light-alloy rims and a unique suspension: On all models the 19-inch forged M light-alloy rims in double-spoke design are available either in black or in the classic rim colour. And on the Alpine White, Black and Monte Carlo Blue models, the same rims are also available in a special white contrasting colour with polished spokes.

The suspension of the BMW M3 Edition Models adds to the sporting style of the cars, lowering the entire body by 10 millimetres or 0.4″.

BMW M3: supreme performance with eight cylinders and seven gears.

The BMW M3 Edition Models give this high-performance athlete a particularly striking look also reflected by the car’s supreme driving dynamics based on a unique all-round concept and drivetrain/suspension technology inspired by motorsport. The V8 high-speed power unit of the BMW M3 develops maximum output of 309 kW/420 hp from 4.0 litres.

Power is transmitted to the rear wheels either through the six-speed manual gearbox featured as standard or through the optional M double-clutch gearbox with Drivelogic enhancing both the dynamic performance and the all-round efficiency of the BMW M3 all in one. In this case acceleration to 100 km/h comes in 4.6 seconds (six-speed manual: 4.8 seconds) and average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 11.9 litres/23.7 mpg imp (six-speed manual: 12.4 litres/22.8 mpg imp)/100 kilometres.

The BMW M3 comes as standard with a lightweight carbon roof, while the options include Electronic Damper Control and the M Drive menu enabling the driver to configure individual, M-specific suspension and drivetrain functions just right for his personal style.

- By: Kap Shah

MWDesign, a tuning firm based in Vancouver, Canada, has just unveiled their modification program for the BMW E92 M3 Coupe, codenamed “Darth Maul.” The Darth Maul sports a gorgeous Jerez Black exterior with a beautiful Fox Red interior trim.

Stage 1 of the MWDesign’s tuning program includes an Amuse Ericsson front bumper with custom orange highlights, Amuse Ericsson trunk, a carbon fiber rear diffuser, side vents, side mirrors and Modular M6 20-inch wheels, which are available with matte black centers and center caps. MWDesign also added H&R sports springs.

MWDesign says that there is a Stage 2 of the tuning program in the works. We’re guessing that will include power upgrades.

Click through for more pictures.

MW Design BMW E92 M3 Coupe (Darth Maul):

- By: Kap Shah

Source: BMWBlog

Usain Bolt, the World’s fastest man, received a new 2009 BMW M3 Coupe from his chief sponsor Puma in recognition of winning three gold medals at the Beijing Olympics. Unfortunately, Bolt was involved in a crash on Highway 2000 yesterday.

Bolt supposedly lost control of his M3 in the rain and landed in a ditch. He and two female passengers were taken to a hospital in Spanish Town. All involved in the crash were not seriously injured.

There are no reports of Bolt being under the influence of any drugs or alcohol; however, the NBC site for the Beijing Summer Olympics have reported a history of “hard partying” in his pre-Olympics past.

Usain Bolt Drives the BMW M3 Coupe :

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Source: Inside Line

Yes, the sound hurt our ears and feelings too.

Source: YouTube (via Jalopnik)

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Despite the global economic downturn, BMW’s M GmbH reported that year-on-year sales were up 50 percent in 2008. The division reported sales of 24,186 units of BMW M vehicles to customers in the 2008 business year, the second best-result in its 30 year history.

A total of 2,465 units of the BMW M5 were sold along with 2,260 units of the M6 and 1,438 units of the Z4 M. The new BMW M3 Coupe led sales with a total of 10,571 sold last year. A total of 3,253 units of the M3 Sedan and 4,169 units of the M3 Convertible were sold in 2008.

BMW said it sold more M models in the U.S. than anywhere else – Germany and the UK came in second and third respectively.

Later this year BMW will also introduces M-badged versions of the X6 and the X5.

——

Press Release:

SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN 2008: BMW M GMBH CAR SALES UP 50 PERCENT

High-performance sports cars continue their worldwide success – dynamic development also of M Sports Packages and BMW Individual.

Munich. Delivering 24 186 BMW M Automobiles to customers in the 2008 business year, BMW M GmbH has scored the second-best result in the thirty-year history of the company, increasing sales by approximately 50 per cent over the previous year.

“Particularly the ongoing high level of BMW M Car sales also in the second half of the year underlines the great emotional appeal our products have for the customer”, stated Ludwig Willisch, President of BMW M GmbH.

The new BMW M3 was the outstanding driving force behind this positive development, accounting for worldwide sales of almost 18 000 units in its first complete year of production. As a result, the BMW M3 available since 2008 as both a Coupe, Sedan and Convertible, made an even more successful entry into the market than its predecessor which in 2002 already made a significant contribution to the company’s most successful business year so far (26 776 units delivered to customers). The great success of the new BMW M3 was also one of the reasons why BMW M GmbH was able to celebrate a second milestone in the company’s 30th year of street car production, delivery of the 300 000th BMW M Automobile setting yet another benchmark in the history of BMW M GmbH in 2008.

The model portfolio of BMW M GmbH currently comprises seven models with the new BMW M3 Coupe leading the internal sales ranking with a total number of 10 571 units sold last year. Sales of the BMW M3 Sedan introduced in March 2008 amounted to 3 253 units, with the BMW M3 Convertible launched in May 2008 accounting for an even more impressive 4 169 cars.

Worldwide sales of the BMW M5 available as both a Sedan and Touring have also developed far more successfully than with the former model: In the 2008 year of business no less than
2 465 BMW M5s went to customers the world over.

Last but not least, both the BMW M6 Coupe and the BMW M6 Convertible still retain all of their fascinating class, no less than 1 102 customers opting for the high-performance Coupe and 1 158 customers choosing the equally outstanding Convertible.

This truly excellent annual result was rounded off by the ongoing success of the BMW Z4 M Roadster and the BMW Z4 M Coupe, which reached the end of their production cycle in August 2008: In this case no less than 699 Roadsters and 739 Coupes went to true connoisseurs of sporting, purist two-seaters.

Consistent growth in all major markets.

The great enthusiasm for the top performance, authentic design and motorsport technology offered by BMW M Automobiles is a global phenomenon. Precisely this is why all major market regions the world over contribute to the dynamic increase in sales. Once again, the USA, accounting for 10 663 units delivered to customers, was the most significant individual market. In the home country of the particularly large but not so dynamic street cruiser, the sports cars from BMW M GmbH showed an increase in sales by almost 70 per cent over the previous year.

Germany, the company’s home market, became the second most significant sales region for BMW M GmbH in 2008, with 2 777 new cars bearing the M logo registered in Germany, an increase over 2007 by approximately 37 per cent.
Showing equally impressive growth of more than 20 per cent to 2 469 units, Great Britain and Northern Ireland once again come third in the list of the most important markets for BMW M cars.

BMW M GmbH achieved by far its highest growth rate in relative terms in Canada, with customer deliveries increasing by almost 130 per cent to 1 114 cars. Sales figures also reached the four-digit range in Italy (1 072 units/ + 31 per cent) and Japan (1 063/ + 6 per cent).

Significant increase in sales of M Sports Packages.

Sales of Sports Packages now available for the BMW 1 Series, the BMW 3 Series, the BMW 5 Series, the BMW 6 Series as well as the BMW X3 and the BMW X5 likewise showed significant growth in 2008. The fascinating technology and flair of these design, suspension and interior options derived authentically from motorsport appeal particularly to drivers of the BMW 3 Series: In 2008 more than 58 000 purchasers of a BMW 3 Series took the opportunity to highlight the dynamic profile of their car even more clearly through the harmoniously balanced features and components offered within the M Sports Package.

A further important milestone is that more than 41 000 BMW 1 Series were likewise equipped with a Sports Package in 2008, representing an increase over the previous year by approximately 60 per cent. In all, the number of M Sports Packages sold worldwide increased by more than 7 per cent to 156 139.

The most significant sales market for M Sports Packages is Great Britain and Ireland, followed by Germany, with sales figures continuing to increase in both markets in 2008.

Personal style growing in significance: BMW Individual continuing on its road of success.

Expanding the range of products to an even higher level, BMW M GmbH has made the portfolio of BMW Individual even more attractive. Exquisite materials for the interior, top-end entertainment systems, exclusive paintwork options and light-alloy rims, as well as further exterior highlights enable the customer to enjoy the sheer driving pleasure so typical of the brand in particularly exclusive style.

In 2008 no less than 6 589 particularly demanding customers took the opportunity to convert their BMW, through selected design and equipment features from the broad portfolio of BMW Individual, into a genuine one-off masterpiece reflecting their personal style to the last detail.

In all, more than 30 000 cars were upgraded worldwide by way of all kinds of BMW Individual modifications, thus offering truly exclusive and unmistakable character. This is an increase in sales of such special features from BMW Individual by more than 30 per cent.

“This development”, states Ludwig Willisch, “clearly proves that customers of BMW as the leading premium brand show particular preference for genuine exclusivity and individual style – and this trend is growing”.
Demand for BMW Individual increased especially in Great Britain and Ireland, which have indeed become the most important sales markets for products from BMW Individual.

Enjoying sheer driving pleasure in superior style: BMW Group Driver Training.

Driver Training developed and organised by BMW M GmbH remains consistently popular. In 2008 alone more than 15 000 participants completed a training programme in various categories of BMW Driver Training, MINI Driver Training, and BMW Motorcycle Rider Training. The choice of training courses extends from beginners’ seminars all the way to the target-oriented training of motorsport skills on a race track. The know-how conveyed in the process by professional instructors enables participants to enjoy driving pleasure in particular superior style.

Introduced in 2008, EfficientDynamics training combined with safety exercises proved particularly popular last year. “This new concept focusing in particular on fuel-efficient driving and safety obviously gives our customers exactly what they are looking for and was therefore chosen by a large number of new participants experiencing BMW Driver Training in this way for the first time”, states Willisch.

New models, products and activities setting new momentum in 2009.

The significant increase in customer deliveries in 2008 shows clearly that the particular thrill of the cars and products marketed by BMW M GmbH also has a strong impact under generally difficult market conditions. Through their authentic design, highlights in technology based on years of experience in motorsport, and a harmonious overall concept, the wide range of models and other products from BMW M GmbH rank truly unique in the market. So the letter “M” continues to point in the right direction for the customer looking for a truly outstanding driving experience based on top performance and exclusivity all in one.

The decisive steps for continuing this story of success have already been taken: In the course of 2009 BMW M GmbH will once again be expanding its range of high-performance sports cars, carrying over the characteristics so typical of M to yet another vehicle segment.

At the same time the wide range of products available in M Sports Packages and through BMW Individual, as well as the range of BMW Driver Training options, will continue to gain further appeal. Indeed, the market launch of BMW Individual for the new BMW 7 Series marks the starting point in further expanding the already wide range of products, offering perfect options tailored to both current and future models alike.

While the rest of the automotive industry is in the dumps, BMW’S M GmbH continues to hold stable growth reporting sales of 22,340 vehicles worldwide as of November 2008. That’s an increase of over 50 percent when compared to last year’s result of 14,092.

BMW says that a major contribution for the success was the new BMW M3, which is now offered in three different body variations. The new 2008 BMW M3 almost sold twice as well as its predecessor within the same period.

“The fact that our dealers were able to supply significantly more vehicles than the average of the last nine months even in such dramatic times for the world economy demonstrates the fascination and attraction which BMW M automobiles exercise on our customers,” Ludwig Willisch, President of BMW M GmbH, said in a statement.

As if driving the Ferrari F430 wasn’t enough, 22-year Usain Bolt had the privilege of test driving the new BMW M3 to its limits at the BMW Vehicle Test Facility in Aschheim near Munich. Under the guidance of a professional BMW driver, Bolt took the 414-hp M3 from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and received his certificate after successful completion of the BMW Driver Training.

Usain Bolt seems to love the M3 just a little bit more than the Ferrari F430 describing his encounter with the BMW M3 Coupe as “love at first sight.” Bolt’s chief sponsor Puma has finally fulfilled his dream of owning a BMW M3 in special recognition of three gold medals at the Beijing Olympics.

His black BMW M3 Coupe is on its way to Kingston and is scheduled to be handed over to Olympic champion before Christmas. Not to shabby for a man who can run 100 meters in a record-breaking time of 9.69 seconds.

Usain Bolt Drives the BMW M3 Coupe:

• •  Carbon bodywork, adjustable suspension, huge brakes.
• •  19-inch wheels wrapped in Dunlop tires.
• •  It’s hot… and it’s illegal.

The new Brabham BT 92 based on the new BMW M3 Coupe has relaunched Brabham Racing – the only problem is that this is not the real “Brabham Racing.”

While the BT 92 may be every bit of hotness that one tuner can offer the BMW M3 Coupe, this isn’t the Brabham Racing company. Apparently Sir Jack Brabham has come out vocally strong showing his anger for the use of his family name on a range of accessories from whoever it is at 2008 Essen Motor Show displaying the car. The 82-year old said that he will be taking legal action over the use of his name. He said he recently found out that someone had registered the names Brabham and Brabham Racing in Germany.

“The Brabham family is a big family,” Sir Jack told Global Coast. “There are some Brabhams still racing and we want to protect our name. I am extremely upset about this.”

Follow the jump for the high-res image gallery.

Brabham BT 92 – Based on BMW M3 Coupe:

Source: M3Post, Global Coast (via AutoBlog)
Pictures Courtesy of: autoblog.nl

This weekend on Top Gear Clarkson answers the question if the new Lexus IS-F is beastly enough to beat the BMW M3 Sedan. Of course, this high-performance sedan race in incomplete without the new 2008 Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG but we’re guessing Top Gear couldn’t get their hands on one for the show.

We’d love to go on and on but you only have a limited time to watch the video before the YouTube Police yanks its down.

Refresher:

2008 BMW M3 Sedan: 4.0L V8 making 414-hp with a maximum torque of 295 lb-ft. 0 to 60 mph comes in at 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph.
2008 Lexus IS-F: 5.0L V8 producing 416-hp with a maximum torque of 371 lb-ft. 0 to 60 mph comes in 4.6 seconds with a top speed of 168 mph.

Follow the jump for the video.

Appearance wise the BMW M3 Coupe by Zwickenpflug (yeah we’re having a hard time pronouncing it too) may not look pretty aggressive and wild but performance wise its a whole different story. On the outside, Zwickenpflug throws on a set of 19-inch BBS alloy wheels and that’s about it. Inside the car gets upgraded leather with suede trim and aluminum pedals.

Performance wise Zwickenpflug tweaked the engine and ECU to extract an additional 26-hp for a total of 440-hp from the 4.2L V8. That allows for a little boost in the 0 to 60 mph time and a top speed of 202 mph.

Zwickenpflug is only offering its version of the M3 Coupe in Europe. Pricing and availability details have yet to be announced.

Zwickenpflug BMW M3 Coupe:

Source: Evo

So we’re pretty disappointed that BMW has canceled plans to build an E92 M3 CSL. Well its seems like so was a California based tuner Vorsteiner, who decided to do their own version of the E92 M3 CSL by adding a couple of weight-saving features.

Vorsteiner added a new body kit to the 414-hp M3 that consists of a carbon fiber front spoiler, rear diffuser and 3 integrated aero fins along with a new replacement carbon fiber boot lid with a built in lip spoiler. The tuner also added a new titanium performance exhaust system that weighs only 17.3 lbs as compared to the factory version that weighs 56.3 lbs. Inside, Vorsteiner added a full carbon fiber interior kit.

Vorsteiner is also offering 20-inch 5-spoke aluminum wheels.

Click through for more photos.

Vorsteiner BMW E92 M3 Coupe:

Source: WorldCarFans

Bavarian Motor Works has cancelled plans to produce the lighter, sharper and faster version of the E92 M3. Originally scheduled to arrive on the market by the summer of 2009, BMW will no longer be producing an E92 M3 CSL.

Ludwig Willisch, boss of BMW’s M division, told CAR Magazine that the automaker canned the project since it doesn’t make business sense. “Based on current numbers, there is most likely insufficient demand for the M3 CSL,” said Willisch.

BMW will instead focus its resources on the M-versions of the X5 and X6.

The E93 BMW M3 CSL was supposed to be powered by the same 4.0L V8 engine producing an extra 50 horsepower for a total of 470. To save weight, BMW was going to drop the radio, navigation and air-conditioning. A bunch of carbon fiber was to be added to the front apron, hood, roof, side panels and rear bumper.

It was going to make its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show as a 2010 model.

Source: CAR

It’s Friday night and you pull up to a red-light with your girlfriend in your brand new 2008 BMW M3. Then some douche-bag guy pulls up next to you in his 2008 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and pulls down the window and goes “I’ve got 30 more horses than you sucker,” and peels away. Ouch – big shot to your man-hood.

So when 420-hp aren’t enough for you Dinan Cars will come to your rescue. According to Modified Luxury & Exotics News, Dinan will be building a new 2008 BMW M3 with a 5.7L V10 that will produce 628 horsepower.

The model will make its debut right before 2009.

2008 BMW M3 Coupe:

Source: Modified (via AutoBlog)

“The sun shines, the wind’s in your hair and the engine note in your ears: almost no other vehicle on the road evokes such untrammelled emotions.” That’s how AC Schnitzer describes the 2008 BMW M3 Convertible. The tuning firm today released its own package for the new M3 Convertible that will eventually let so much wind in your hair that you’ll go bald and an engine sound that will make you go deaf.

So far AC Schnitzer engineers have yet to mess around with the 420-hp V8 but will get around to it at a later date. For now they through in a AC Schnitzer sports rear silencer with chromed tailpipes in ‘Racing’ design.

Visually and in order to increase aerodynamics, AC Schnitzer has added a new front skirt with rectangular chromed grille inserts, a carbon lip spoiler, its own hood vents and a new side skirt which emphasizes the wheelarches.

AC Schnitzer also added its own touch to the interior and gave the 2008 M3 Convertible 20-inch Type VI silver wheels with a black finish.

AC Schnitzer AC3 based on the 2008 BMW M3: