BMW M3

The fourth generation BMW M3 was announced on the 2007 Geneva Auto Show (Switzerland, March 6th-18th 2007) with the BMW M3 concept. As was the case with the E46 M3 Concept and E60 M5 Concept, the M3 Concept hid almost nothing of the looks of the production version, that had its world premiere on the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show IAA (Germany, September 13th to 23rd).

Just as the previous M3 generations all introduced a completely new engine, the fourth generation M3 did the same: the BMW S65 engine was introduced. This S65B40 is a naturally aspirated, high revving 4-litre V8 (based on the S85B50 5-litre V10 that powers the E60/E61 M5 and the E63/E64 M6 to date) delivers 420 DIN-hp (309 kW, 414 SAE-hp) at 8,300 rpm and peak torque is 400 Nm (295 ft·lbf) at 3,900 rpm, which represents a power increase of 22% over the E46 M3. The engine weighs 15 kgs (33 lbs) less than the outgoing six cylinder for a total weight of 202 kg (445 lbs).

A six-speed manual transmission is standard. As from April 2008, BMW offers a new double-clutch gearbox, called M-DKG (Doppel-Kupplungs-Getriebe) or M-DCT (Double Clutch Transmission) as an option, which reduces shift pauses to less than a tenth of a second and shortens the car's 0-100 kp/h sprint time by 0.2 seconds vs. the SMG. It features both automatic and manual modes in a manner similar to the SMG gearboxes in the E36 and E46.

The fourth generation M3 is made in 3 different body shapes : the E90 M3 saloon, the E92 M3 coupe and the E93 M3 convertible.

Performance:
* 0-60 mph: 4.7 seconds for coupe/ 4.8 for sedan (April 08|BMWusa)
* 1/4 mile: 12.5 seconds @ 114.8 mph (184.8 km/h)
* Top Speed: 161 mph (259 km/h) indicated/155 mph (249 km/h) actual (electronically limited, once delimited a true 205mph is possible)
* Skid Pad: 0.98g
* Slalom: 71.4 mph (114.9 km/h)