If such a breaching point is detected, electronic stability control will intercede to preserve the rubber-to-road contract
 |
| BMW's electronic overseer adjuster imposes itself very transparently and only when absolutely required. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
and keep the M car from spinning into next week. BMW's electronic overseer adjuster imposes itself very transparently and only when absolutely required, which means that man and machine can play a little more aggressively before technology says enough is enough. Combining with BMW's Dynamic Stability Control (DSC III) to enhance the M3's passive safety net is traction control and antilock braking, the latter of which is an ultra powerful cross-drilled compound vented disc setup at all 4-corners, aided by Dynamic Brake Control and Cornering Brake Control technology. These slayers of speed performed flawlessly, shedding top-tier velocity with startling efficiency time and again. No brake fade or undesirable "grabbiness" was ever detected.
If all of the M3's crash hardware and software is unable to avoid an MVA, there are numerous systems designed to mitigate the impending hurt, beginning with the cabriolet's
 |
| Standard on the M3 cab is driver and front passenger frontal and side airbags. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press) |
rear headrests equipped with BMW's integrated rollover protection. These use small explosive charges to shoot twin roll hoops upwards if an impending rollover is detected. Next up is a plethora of airbags. Standard on the M3 cab is driver and front passenger frontal airbags with seat occupant detection for the passenger side. Side airbags for the driver and front passenger are also part of the standard package. My test unit was also equipped with the optional side airbags for the rear seat passengers. All four M3 Cab seating positions feature 3-point, pre-tensioning seatbelts with force limiters. The car I tested was also equipped with the optional Park Distance Control, an audible warning system that lets you know how close exterior objects are from the car - especially handy when reversing.
