With the M3 entering it’s last year and a half of production we expect a myriad special editions for various markets around the world. Today BMW UK takes the wraps off of their latest in the 500 edition. It’s a purely cosmetic version of the standard M3 that features a two of the more rare colors in the M palette. Imola Red of course is a classic M3 color from the E46 days. But it’s Santorini Blue that caught our eye. The color has traditionally been an uber expensive BMW Individual color only available via special order previously.
Official UK Release: Exclusive new Limited Edition BMW M3 Coupé and Convertible models are coming to the UK from March this year. These special interpretations of the legendary high-performance 3 Series are available in a strictly limited, and suitably patriotic, colour palette of Imola Red, Mineral White or Santorini Blue.
As you may have guessed we’re generally fans of all the new design and technology embedded in BMW’s current range. The just announced M6 is a good example of just how far BWM as come in the past 20 years thanks to turbos and plastic reinforced carbon fiber. Yet we can’t help but long for the simplicity E30 M3 and other vintage BMW every now and again. So to help us (and you) make sense of our wonderful and crazy modern world, we present five minutes of 1080p HD footage of the E30 M3 in DTM. Then to cap it off, we take a look at BMW’s new DTM M3 racer. Just to prove some kind of point.
According to one of our sources the next generation M3 sedan will not be powered by the feared V6 engine. BMW M has been experimenting with various engine configurations for the new generation M3, ranging from a naturally aspirated V8, twin turbo V8 and V6 setups to the much rumored tri-turbo inline 6.
German publication Autobild took the entire current M range (including the ultra rare M3 CRT) to the Sachsenring. The winner? Perhaps unsurprisingly it was the über M3, the new CRT. But what of the standard production models? The F10 M5 bested the lot with a time of 1:38.90. Not bad for a heavy-weight. But it was the race for second that caught out attention.
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After a very long break we’re back with another big show. First up we recap the last two months of BMW news starting of course with the 6er Gran Coupe and then quickly moving onto the F30 and next generation M3. We round out the news with some thought on DTM and the future of BMW’s racing programs. But this show is all about our personal highs and lows of the year with Michael and I dishing a few surprises.
Here’s the full list of news recapped (after the break).
Official Release: Power, motion, and light inspired American artist Jeff Koons as he worked on the legendary BMW M3 GT2. Bearing his unmistakable style, the entire body of the artwork is adorned with vivid, streamlined colors against a black background, giving the viewer an impression of motion and speed from every angle. But the BMW M3 GT2 Art Car Jeff Koons doesn’t just dazzle on the racetrack, it also exudes dynamism at a scale of 1:18 in its limited-edition miniature version. The metal model is a full-detail reproduction of the original vehicle, for which the artist intentionally selected a contrasting silver interior. The removable hood allows you to see the engine inside, the trunk can also be opened, and the air ducts are easily visible. The cockpit and the lettering on the wheels look just like those of its big brother, and the steerable front axle and plastic sports seatbelts will delight fans of exclusive automobiles. A clear varnish protects the special, brilliantly colored transfers and will keep this designer piece shining for years to come. The edition is limited to 5,000 miniatures, each of which is supplied in its own display case, appealing to automotive enthusiasts and art lovers alike.
BMW Motorsport used the 50th BMW Sports Trophy Award Ceremony to announce further details of next year’s programme. The focus is firmly on the return to the DTM after an absence of almost 20 years. However, perhaps more important for the US market, BMW has firmly committed to campaigning it’s RLL ALMS team for 2012.
At the ceremony in the Double Cone building at Munich’s BMW Welt, BMW Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt presented the latest addition to the team of DTM drivers, the newly crowned DTM champion Martin Tomczyk (DE). Tomczyk will join Andy Priaulx (GB), Augusto Farfus (BR) and Bruno Spengler (CA), who have already been confirmed as BMW drivers, behind the wheel of a BMW M3 DTM in the coming season. The BMW Sports Trophy will be even more important next year: The winner of the annual BMW privateer competition will be rewarded with a test day in the BMW M3 DTM from 2012.
Today we bring you two videos (via Insideline and Bimmerpost respectively) of the next generation M3 as it gets some late season testing in at the ‘Ring. We expect the four door M3 to be the first out of the gate in the spring of 2013 with the two door (still likely named the M3 and not the M4) a year later.
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We believe in the old school BMW ownership experience. We believe in garage nights with a six pack and some friends. We believe in 2002s, in E30 M3s and E34 540s with the 6 speed. We believe in progress in both design and engineering but we haven't lost sight of what made the brand and its products great all those years ago. And yes, we believe in the manual transmission.
We long for the days of the wave and for the days of roll-up windows. Yet we love the gadgets on the inside and the xenons on the outside.
In short, we can't get enough of BMWs. This is BimmerFile.
Sections: //M3\\, Official News Mar 1st, 2012 4 Comments 
