BMW M3 CRT - a lighter, quicker M3
BMW reveals the BMW M3 CRT, a lightened and sorted M3 with more performance and a run of just 67 cars worldwide.
You do wonder how many limited editions you can make of a car before its stops making sense. A bit like the Veyron, where the limited edition is the norm, not the rarity.
BMW may not be as bad as Bugatti on the limited edition M3 front, but they’re fast catching up. This time it’s the BMW M3 CRT (stands for Carbon Racing Technology) which has as its USP the use of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) to shed some weight.
The M3 CRT gets a CFRP front airdam and rear spoiler, bonnet, front seats (just the shell, thankfully) for a total weight loss of 45kg. That weight loss is also aided by the of a Sports Titanium Exhaust.
However, BMW are keen to point out that if you take in to account the amount of extra equipment on the M3 CRT, the real weight loss would actually be 70kg, or about the weight of the average American’s left leg.
The V8 under the now lighter bonnet gets 450 horses and 325lb/ft of the turning stuff, which is fed to the back wheels through a 7-Speed M Double Clutch ‘box with Drivelogic. All of which adds up to 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds (exactly the same time as the new M5) and 180mph (faster than the new M5).
Toys and titivations include new 19″ alloys, Frozen Polar Silver metallic paint job, Melbourne Red metallic applications and a set of beefed-up brakes. Inside there’s two-tone seats and aluminium strips, alcantara steering wheel and posh door sill strips.
For all this effort BMW are to make just 67 cars – In the World – and we don’t have a clue how much they’ll be charging, or how many will come to the UK.
But we do have a pile of photos and a video and the M3 CRT does look to be one hell of an M3.
An M5 killer, almost.
BMW M3 CRT Photo Gallery
[nggallery id=664 template=customlinks]
(28 photos – click any thumbnail for full gallery)
BMW M3 CRT Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LYiWlBKt3A
lowstar says
how can it be a csl when its not a coupe. and m3’s are motorsport 3 series which there are 4 shapes and 3 of them are turned into m3. the e30 had a convertible m3 you telling me that was not an m3
BSAngoz says
How can this be an M3? M3s are two door coupes.
Lesku says
CRT = Carbon Racing Technologies
Babai says
OK… Could you please educate me?
CarsUK says
Says it all in the story – the BMW M3 CRT is a lighter and quicker limited edition M3. And it’s quicker than the new M5.
Cllcn says
Should I think of it as a BMW CSL?