BMW M3 CRT: Munich's Lightweight Saloon
New Hardcore M Car revealed at Nurburgring
This is the BMW M3 CRT, unveiled at a launch party at the Nurburgring last night. It's a lightweight low-volume special edition based, oddly, on the saloon version of the M3 rather than the coupe.
It's also the closest thing in this generation of M3 to a CSL that we're likely to see (though you might argue that the GTS was that). 'CRT'-style models are part of the future of the M division, however, say our spies at the 'Ring, and we can even expect to see something like this on an M version of the new 6-series.
But back to the M3 CRT. Those initials apparently stand for Carbon Racing Technology, and mean that buyers will get all sorts of trick stuff such as carbon-backed, seats, and various lightweight gubbins from the M3 GTS. In total, the weight saving over a standard M3 saloon is 50kg, meaning it pitches in at 1580kg.
The 450hp engine is also taken over from the M3 GTS, and provides what you might call a generous 180mph top speed.
Just 67 cars will be built (that's 65 for customers, and 2 'press' cars), with 20-25 expected to come with the steering wheel on the right-hand side. And they'll be built at a price. If you want one, you'll have to part with around £115k for the privilege.
If that price doesn't put you off, order books are open now, and you can put your name down at any BMW dealer...
Cheers to Tony Hetherington for the info, we're not so sure about the quality of his pics... (only joking, Tony...)
Am I missing something? Carbon and upgraded engine - ok, but more than double the cost of a E90 M3, eh?
The only thing more incredible than that price is the fact they will still sell them all!!!!
I often wonder with these limited runs, if they made them simply to order at the same price would they sell as many as the "limited run numbers" which guarentees exclusivity and investment potential?
Does this thing still have electric chairs I wonder?
Or would tha be too much like the GTS?
I prefer the saloon, far more masculine ... I find the coupe's rear end lacking in aggression.
BMW could have produced another 'CSL' type model but decided not to ... I guess the economics didn't stack up for them to do it. I still say had they launched a £75k - £80k M3 in this vein, they would have sold like crack rocks in a South London primary school yard.
I really would have to question peoples mental state who buy one of these
- Akrapovic exhaust 25kg saving
- Replacing seats with light weight bucket seat 60kg
- set of forged lightweight wheels maybe another 10-15kg
- Lightweight battery 15kg
and that all with out thinking too much, and all completely and quickly reversible
Or at least I really hope it doesn't. My cynical side can't help but yell 'Marketing Ploy!': I'd be interested to see how much these changes actually cost BMW to produce. Soon there's be enough of these 'special editions' for the market for collection to be flooded.
My kerb weight would easily be reduced by 50kg if I could switch to seats like these or even variants simialr to those fitted to the last Celica!
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