The devil's curse
414 horsepower and an 8,300-rpm redline. That's what the devil has injected into the M3. Such demonic force is produced by a 4.0-litre V8 that also unleashes 295 pound-feet of torque at 3,900-rpm. The highly sophisticated race-inspired engine uses an individual throttle butterfly valve at each cylinder.
The punch of BMW's M-powerplant found its way to the rear wheels of my tester via a six-speed manual gearbox. This unit features a tight, precise fitting shifter that begs to be manhandled. I found however in city driving that starting in second gear and shifting directly to fourth could minimize shifting. Of course, when he mood is right, exploitation of all six cogs is akin to the eighth wonder.
Electronically unleashing the M3
Remember the buttons that distinguish the M3 from other 3-Series offerings? Well, the most important of them is the steering-wheel-mounted 'M' button.
A quick thumb hit invites full-on performance by engaging a series of pre-set driver-selectable performance settings that manage engine response, suspension calibration, traction control and dynamic stability control. These functions can also be altered through three function-specific buttons located on the centre-console next to the shifter.
Behind the wheel
The M3 is a demonic beast that's been sufficiently repressed to allow it safely into the hands of the general public- but barely. Rumblin'neath its shapely surface is a racecar that's been refined and luxuriated with little loss of potency.
Pushing the dash-mounted 'start' button brings to life a hostile mill that makes no apology for its gruffness. Simply put, it sounds mean and quite justifiably so. Lay gently into the throttle and what was once gruff becomes loud and proud as it runs uninhibited up its long rpm ladder to an earsplitting 8,300-rpm redline. I'm thrilled that BMW's M-engineers didn't attempt to mute this brute or over-civilize it. I love the way its presence is felt and heard in a primitive fashion.
414 horsepower and an 8,300-rpm redline. That's what the devil has injected into the M3. Such demonic force is produced by a 4.0-litre V8 that also unleashes 295 pound-feet of torque at 3,900-rpm. The highly sophisticated race-inspired engine uses an individual throttle butterfly valve at each cylinder.
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| Interior styling retains BMW's sense of "business only" when it comes to aesthetics. |
The punch of BMW's M-powerplant found its way to the rear wheels of my tester via a six-speed manual gearbox. This unit features a tight, precise fitting shifter that begs to be manhandled. I found however in city driving that starting in second gear and shifting directly to fourth could minimize shifting. Of course, when he mood is right, exploitation of all six cogs is akin to the eighth wonder.
Electronically unleashing the M3
Remember the buttons that distinguish the M3 from other 3-Series offerings? Well, the most important of them is the steering-wheel-mounted 'M' button.
A quick thumb hit invites full-on performance by engaging a series of pre-set driver-selectable performance settings that manage engine response, suspension calibration, traction control and dynamic stability control. These functions can also be altered through three function-specific buttons located on the centre-console next to the shifter.
Behind the wheel
The M3 is a demonic beast that's been sufficiently repressed to allow it safely into the hands of the general public- but barely. Rumblin'neath its shapely surface is a racecar that's been refined and luxuriated with little loss of potency.
Pushing the dash-mounted 'start' button brings to life a hostile mill that makes no apology for its gruffness. Simply put, it sounds mean and quite justifiably so. Lay gently into the throttle and what was once gruff becomes loud and proud as it runs uninhibited up its long rpm ladder to an earsplitting 8,300-rpm redline. I'm thrilled that BMW's M-engineers didn't attempt to mute this brute or over-civilize it. I love the way its presence is felt and heard in a primitive fashion.
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| The 4.0-litre V8 that unleashes 295 pound-feet of torque at 3,900-rpm. |