In 2010, BMW produced the ultimate M3 coupe fitted with the largest engine ever installed by the German carmaker in a 3-Series.
Some people knew the M3 GTS from the "Need for Speed" saga, where it was the trophy car was at the end of the "Most Wanted" game. In real life, the coupe was made by order only and built as a track-focused car. But BMW offered an option for the owners to get it modified and made it road-legal. The car also marked the 25th anniversary of the first BMW M3, the E30.
BMW built the M3 GTS based on the regular M3 bodywork. At the front, there was a new front bumper with a carbon-fiber splitter at the bottom. There were no fog lights available, and all three grilles from the apron were functional, cooling the engines and the brakes. The light hood sported a power-dome in the middle flanked by two vents behind it. On the sides, the aerodynamically profiled side-sills were unique for the GTS, while at the back, a big adjustable wing sat on top of the trunk lid. Under the rear bumper, BMW installed a splitter and four exhausts.
Inside, the cabin was stripped down to bare necessities. It featured thinner interior door linings and a lighter center console. The carmaker removed the climate control and the stereo from the center stack, but they were available as an option. BMW removed the rear seats and installed an FIA-approved roll-cage inside the cabin, stiffening the chassis even further.
But the most important part of the car was the powerplant and the drivetrain. The 4.4-liter V-8 engine was tuned by BMW's motorsport division and sent its power to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. For the suspension, the carmaker installed a fully adjustable coil-over kit. There was also a new brake system with vented and drilled discs in all corners to shorten the stopping distance.
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