QUOTE
It’s been around for two decades now, but the BMW M3 has kept evolving And now the new BMW M3 Concept Car unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show gives a first impression of what a future BMW M3 might look like.
The basic form for the BMW M3 Concept Car is a derivative of the new 3-Series Coupé. The few components adopted directly from the series model are the headlamps and taillamps and, as the only body elements, the two doors and the luggage compartment lid.
All other components were specially engineered for the BMW M3 Concept Car.
Unmistakable features that make the BMW M3 Concept Car instantly recognisable are the special trim at the front and rear, the engine compartment lid with its bulging "Powerdome" and two air intakes, the lateral air slots in the front side walls, the side skirts and the exterior mirrors in a BMW M typical design.
The three large air intakes below the cooling grille at the front supply the high revving V8 engine with additional intake and cooling air. Strong, vertical struts delineate the air intakes and enhance their characteristic form.
The contours of the intakes and Powerdome are in line with the forward-pointing sweep of the engine compartment lid and blend into the overall design of the front, which is longer than that of the 3-Series Coupé, although the double kidney grille remains in place.
The muscular front wheel arches of the BMW M3 Concept Car are filled with forged 19-inch light alloy rims in the classic Y-spoke design, while a glance through the spokes of the rims reveals the compound high performance brakes developed exclusively for M vehicles.
The openings behind the front wheel arches, which the designers refer to as gills, have an elaborate three-dimensional form that is split by a discreet chrome bracket containing the direction indicator and the M3 logo.
Two arched surfaces form the pronounced side skirt. By giving the side wall a lower appearance, the side skirt lends the car a lighter, sportier look from this angle. The design of the side skirt corresponds with the shape of the strongly pronounced contour line.
Exclusive exterior mirrors developed for the BMW M3 Concept Car feature a characteristic black double foot that's intended to remind you of the wings of an aircraft…
The rear of the BMW M3 Concept Car picks up on the design of the car’s front. The side lines gradually sink towards the rear and the wings end in a modelled hollow flute. A visually discreet spoiler lip on the luggage compartment lid, also called a Gurney flap, channels the air at the rear and reduces lift on the rear axle.
The contours of the diffuser, whose design is subdivided by modelled struts, mirror the shape of the air intakes at the front, while the double exhaust tailpipes have a round cross section and are cut off vertically, as is typical for BMW M engineering.
But there's hardly a body element in the BMW M3 Concept Car that exhibits the level of advanced technology as clearly as the roof. Constructed of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), it's created with an exclusive production method in which the structure of the Formula 1 material remains visible and the finely structured surface is only coated with a layer of clear finish.
Seen from the side, it lets the roof edge appear flatter and thus lowers the perceived body height. But apart from the exclusive appearance, the CFRP roof also offers a real technical advantage: it is considerably lighter than a steel roof. This reduces the overall vehicle weight and, by reducing the weight of the highest element in the body, the centre of gravity as well. So, the reduction in weight at this location is beneficial to the agility and dynamic performance of the vehicle.
The basic form for the BMW M3 Concept Car is a derivative of the new 3-Series Coupé. The few components adopted directly from the series model are the headlamps and taillamps and, as the only body elements, the two doors and the luggage compartment lid.
All other components were specially engineered for the BMW M3 Concept Car.
Unmistakable features that make the BMW M3 Concept Car instantly recognisable are the special trim at the front and rear, the engine compartment lid with its bulging "Powerdome" and two air intakes, the lateral air slots in the front side walls, the side skirts and the exterior mirrors in a BMW M typical design.
The three large air intakes below the cooling grille at the front supply the high revving V8 engine with additional intake and cooling air. Strong, vertical struts delineate the air intakes and enhance their characteristic form.
The contours of the intakes and Powerdome are in line with the forward-pointing sweep of the engine compartment lid and blend into the overall design of the front, which is longer than that of the 3-Series Coupé, although the double kidney grille remains in place.
The muscular front wheel arches of the BMW M3 Concept Car are filled with forged 19-inch light alloy rims in the classic Y-spoke design, while a glance through the spokes of the rims reveals the compound high performance brakes developed exclusively for M vehicles.
The openings behind the front wheel arches, which the designers refer to as gills, have an elaborate three-dimensional form that is split by a discreet chrome bracket containing the direction indicator and the M3 logo.
Two arched surfaces form the pronounced side skirt. By giving the side wall a lower appearance, the side skirt lends the car a lighter, sportier look from this angle. The design of the side skirt corresponds with the shape of the strongly pronounced contour line.
Exclusive exterior mirrors developed for the BMW M3 Concept Car feature a characteristic black double foot that's intended to remind you of the wings of an aircraft…
The rear of the BMW M3 Concept Car picks up on the design of the car’s front. The side lines gradually sink towards the rear and the wings end in a modelled hollow flute. A visually discreet spoiler lip on the luggage compartment lid, also called a Gurney flap, channels the air at the rear and reduces lift on the rear axle.
The contours of the diffuser, whose design is subdivided by modelled struts, mirror the shape of the air intakes at the front, while the double exhaust tailpipes have a round cross section and are cut off vertically, as is typical for BMW M engineering.
But there's hardly a body element in the BMW M3 Concept Car that exhibits the level of advanced technology as clearly as the roof. Constructed of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), it's created with an exclusive production method in which the structure of the Formula 1 material remains visible and the finely structured surface is only coated with a layer of clear finish.
Seen from the side, it lets the roof edge appear flatter and thus lowers the perceived body height. But apart from the exclusive appearance, the CFRP roof also offers a real technical advantage: it is considerably lighter than a steel roof. This reduces the overall vehicle weight and, by reducing the weight of the highest element in the body, the centre of gravity as well. So, the reduction in weight at this location is beneficial to the agility and dynamic performance of the vehicle.
I would still probably get one although for the same money i can think of a handful of other cars idbuy. Like an RS4 for instance, now there is a pretty car. I mean just look at the difference in looks.
BMW: [attachment=10145:bmwdesign_mov_00.jpg]
Audi: [attachment=10146:gallery2.jpg]
That M3 is S3XY to teh MAX!
haha. I think I would have to go for the RS4 until I see the new M3 up close and personal.