Friday 16th May 2014

BMW M3: Pic Of The Week

By popular request here's a shot of the M3 doing its bit for Michelin's share price

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Michelin must have been rubbing its hands with glee when it got the gig for designing a bespoke Pilot Super Sport for the new M3 and M4. Obviously it's a prestigious commission and they've done a hell of a job, responding to specific feedback from DTM champs Bruno Spengler and Martin Tomczyk asking for more sidewall stiffness after they drove early test mules at the 'ring. Duly delivered, the turn-in performance and resistance to understeer are two of the most significant things you notice about the new M car. Until you get on the throttle that is.

"I've got a delivery for a Mr Harris..."

You can drive the car tidily and traction is impressive via the fully active differential. Impressive enough that even without any corrective lock it'll lay down black lines on corner exits, so effectively is the power going down and contained by the partnership between stability control and diff.

Of course, a bit more gas unleashes a more spectacular cornering attitude and one that comes very, very easily. See here. And, by request from several in the conversation thread following our drive, the accompanying pic prepared here for your desktop pleasure.

This was just scrubbing the tyres in for Mr Harris too. The man from Michelin will be very happy to see the results of his efforts in the forthcoming vid...

Traditional (4:3)
Computer widescreen (16:10)
TV widescreen (16:9)
Portrait (smartphone, etc)

[anonymous-user]

What colour is that? Sort of reminds me of Laguna Seca Blue, but looks too light?

Either way, nice gig!

[Amirhussain]

MrBig said:

What colour is that? Sort of reminds me of Laguna Seca Blue, but looks too light?

Either way, nice gig!

Yas Marina blue.

[Terminator X]

Hairdresser Blue or am I being jobist

TX.

[anonymous-user]

Amirhussain said:

Yas Marina blue.

Ah, thank you

[Bill]

Oh look, a repmobile.

[carsnapper]

Photographer's credit / mention?

[aarondbs]

I have, for the last few weeks, changed my background to the POTW. I just can't do it this week. I am absolutely sure that as a drving experience I would be blown away, but as a still picture the M3 leaves me cold.

[Dan Trent]

carsnapper said:

Photographer's credit / mention?

It was either Barry Hayden or his German colleague but both were standing quite close to each other when the shot was taken! Barry emailed the shot so I'll assume it was him but they were all working together as official BMW snappers so I can't be totally sure.

Cheers,

Dan

[RudeDog]

I'm sure capability has improved but the 3-series becomes more and more undesirable with every edition.

Not a picture I would put on my desktop.