January 15, 2008 7:54 PM by Clinton Deacon Filed Under: BMW Page 1 / 5: Next Page
Following a series of leaks this week, BMW has officially revealed the new M3 Convertible. As expected it will feature the brand new seven-speed Double Clutch Gearbox – designed for a high-speed power unit and what better unit to put it in than the M3's 420hp V8 Engine which was first seen in the coupe version last year. Based on the 3 Series Convertible, the 3rd variant in the M3 range features a retractable hard top for the first time, the 3 piece structure opens in 22 seconds and provides great all round viewing due to its large windows.
The new double clutch gearbox (M DCT) allows gear changes without any interuption of power or traction and features “Drivelogic” with 11 electronically controlled driving programs: 6 manual and 5 automatic for different scenarios but one of the picks must be the Launch Control for maximum acceleration. We will also see this system simultaneously debuted in the Coupe and Sedan models.
The 0 to 60mph time stands at 5.3 seconds which is 0.4 seconds slower than the coupe due to the extra weight of the roof, but with the introduction of M DCT Drivelogic this increases to 5.1 seconds, top speed lies at 250kph (electronically limited).
The exterior is BMW M design through and through with an aluminium engine lid featuring a powerdome, large air intakes for engine cooling, flared wheel arches and classic BMW M division design lines. Other features included are a brand new convertible-specific suspension system, an upgraded high class interior and a high end-audio system from BMW Individual.
As yet there is no word when it will be launched, but we should hear this a little closer to its debut at Geneva.
The BMW M3 model family is being upgraded by yet another fascinating player: The new BMW M3 Convertible, the third body version of BMW's high-performance sports car following the Coupé and Saloon, offers new possibilities to experience uncompromising driving dynamics.
Third body version of the new BMW M3; high-performance convertible from BMW M GmbH unique in its design and technical features; developed on the basis of the BMW 3 Series Convertible; consistent orientation to the high-performance character typical of BMW M, as with the BMW M3 Coupé and the BMW M3 Saloon. Car concept with
a consistent, unique tradition: Fourth generation of both the BMW M3 Convertible and the BMW M3 Coupé.
Unique combination of outstanding driving dynamics with aesthetic looks, unparalleled experience of open-air motoring and superior everyday driving qualities in that special combination specific to BMW M. Electrohydraulically operated retractable hardtop ensuring supreme performance in the BMW M3 Convertible with nothing but the sky above.
Authentic BMW M design as the expression of superior drive power; aluminium engine lid with striking powerdome; characteristic front end with large air intakes; powerfully flared wheel arches; specific BMW M interpretation of the classic lines of a BMW Convertible with its dynamically stretched silhouette, low waistline and muscular, low-slung rear end;
gill elements in the front side walls; M-specific side sills contoured even more specifically towards the rear of the car as a visual tribute to rear-wheel drive; rear air dam with diffuser optimising the flow of air beneath the car; dual tailpipes typical of BMW M.
Exclusive driving experience: The unique power and performance of a BMW M3 combined with an incomparably intense experience of the sun and wind unique to a BMW Convertible.
The BMW M3 Convertible is powered by BMW M's brand-new V8 displacing 4.0 litres and developing maximum output of 309 kW/420 hp; maximum torque is 400 Nm/295 lb-ft at 3,900 rpm; maximum engine speed 8,400 rpm, optimum muscle and thrust throughout the entire range of engine speed.
Individual throttle butterflies, variable double-VANOS camshaft control, Brake Energy Regeneration; engine 15 kg lighter than the six-cylinder power unit on the former model.
Overview
Third body version of the new BMW M3; high-performance convertible from BMW M GmbH unique in its design and technical features; developed on the basis of the BMW 3 Series Convertible; consistent orientation to the high-performance character typical of BMW M, as with the BMW M3 Coupé and the BMW M3 Saloon. Car concept with a consistent, unique tradition: Fourth generation of both the BMW M3 Convertible and the BMW M3 Coupé.
Unique combination of outstanding driving dynamics with aesthetic looks, unparalleled experience of open-air motoring and superior everyday driving qualities in that special combination specific to BMW M. Electrohydraulically operated retractable hardtop ensuring supreme performance in the BMW M3 Convertible with nothing but the sky above.
Authentic BMW M design as the expression of superior drive power; aluminium engine lid with striking powerdome; characteristic front end with large air intakes; powerfully flared wheel arches; specific BMW M interpretation of the classic lines of a BMW Convertible with its dynamically stretched silhouette, low waistline and muscular, low-slung rear end; gill elements in the front side walls; M-specific side sills contoured even more specifically towards the rear of the car as a visual tribute to rear-wheel drive; rear air dam with diffuser optimising the flow of air beneath the car; dual tailpipes typical of BMW M.
Exclusive driving experience: The unique power and performance of a BMW M3 combined with an incomparably intense experience of the sun and wind unique to a BMW Convertible.
The BMW M3 Convertible is powered by BMW M’s brand-new V8 displacing 4.0 litres and developing maximum output of 309 kW/420 hp; maximum torque is 400 Nm/295 lb-ft at 3,900 rpm; maximum engine speed 8,400 rpm, optimum muscle and thrust throughout the entire range of engine speed.
Individual throttle butterflies, variable double-VANOS camshaft control, Brake Energy Regeneration; engine 15 kg lighter than the six-cylinder power unit on the former model. Acceleration to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds, top speed 250 km/h (155 mph) (limited electronically), average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle 12,9 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 21 mpg imp).
Manual six-speed gearbox with integrated, temperature-controlled oil cooling; two-plate clutch optimised for mass inertia.
MDrive for setting and retrieving the driver’s favourite engine control map, suspension and DSC set-up and Servotronic control map as an additional option.
Brand-new suspension with specific, convertible-based reinforcements in typical M configuration, weight-optimised components and M-specific axle kinematics for a highly dynamic driving experience; forged aluminium track control arms; compound high-performance brake system.
Optional EDC Electronic Damper Control with three selectable control maps; adaptive damper set-up responding to changes on the road surface and in the driver’s style of motoring; EDC allowing appropriate adjustment to extremely dynamic driving conditions at any time, irrespective of the mode chosen.
Retractable hardtop in lightweight steel structure; three-piece roof structure with fully automatic opening and closing function; remote control of roof opening function featured as standard; opening time 22 seconds; optimum all-round visibility with hardtop closed thanks to large window areas.
Body structure with extremely high standard of torsional stiffness; all-round occupant protection by frontal and head/thorax airbags, three-point
inertia-reel seat belts on all seats, belt latch tensioners, belt force limiters and central safety electronics for appropriate control of restraint systems including rollover protection with roll bars moving up automatically behind the rear seats; bi-xenon dual headlights featured as standard, Adaptive Headlights as an option.
Upgraded, high-class interior with a wide range of customisation options; innovative colour and materials concept; two rear seats with single seat contours; BMW Individual High End audio system with nine-channel amplifier and 16 high-output loudspeakers available as an option; M-specific paintwork and equipment variants.
Weight, unladen, to DIN1): 1,810kg Weight, unladen, to EU2): 1,885kg Max load to DIN: 470kg Max permissible to DIN: 2,280kg
2,280. [...]
Alright, noone's gonna go for that weight, but just imagine the car fueled at 1,885kg with 2 proper passengers at (man/woman combo) 72kg each. 2,029kg.
230kg more? I know they wanted to stiffen it up a bit, but did they put concrete in it or what? That's too much, especially when you get from stand to 100km/h in 5.4 in new Audi TT-S. I like it anyways. Greeting from Poland.
COME ON GUYS....figure is nothing...it is just apaper... the most important is THE FEELING,JOYNEMENT,EXCITNG and that why bmw called THE MOST ULIMATE DRIVING MACHINE.. (NOTE)if u want to see figure and numbers go to mercedes the best company that impress u by numbers ,,once u drive it,,u r a slave to traction control...
i realy...realy like the elder one more