BMW Launches Lighter and More Powerful New M3 CRT Special, Limited to 67 Units

This is BMW’s new hardcore M3 sedan, the CRT, which stands for Carbon Racing Technology. To be produced in a limited run, the M3 CRT was unveiled during a pre-race BMW M event ahead of this weekend’s Nürburgring 24-hour race.

The special edition model combines the body style of the M3 sedan with technology from the M3 GTS coupe, topped off with the use of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) to further reduce the car’s weight.

BMW said the M3 CRT represents the worldwide debut of a new production process for carbon-fibre reinforced plastic components in the automotive industry, adding that we will see the same materials on the upcoming i3 EV hatchback and i8 hybrid sports coupe, due to enter volume production in 2013.

In the M3 CRT, CFRP is used to make both the rear spoiler and front airdam, as well as the bonnet, the bucket seats for the driver and front passenger. Along with the use of a sports titanium exhaust system and other lightweight materials, BMW M engineers have managed to shave 45 kg or 99.2 pounds from the regular M3 saloon bringing the total weight down to 1,580kg or 3,483 lbs.

Interestingly, BMW said that if you take into account the equipment on board the weight saving is more like 70 kg or 154.3 pounds.

Under the carbon-fiber bonnet of the CRT lies the M3 GTS’s upgraded 4.4-liter V8 that pumps out 450-horses at 8,300 rpm and peak torque of 440 Nm (324.5 lb-ft) on tap at 3,750 rpm.

Transferring the V8 lump’s power to the rear wheels is a 7-speed M doubleclutch transmission with Drivelogic. BMW says the CRT can go from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in just 4.4 seconds with the electronic capping its top speed at 290 km/h (180mph).

Other features include a modified rear suspension, the addition of six-piston, fixed-calliper high-performance brakes, a specially tuned DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system and new 19-inch lightweight alloy wheels wrapped in performance tires size 245/35 R 19 up front and 265/35 R 19 at the rear.

The M3 CRT is offered in an exclusive Frozen Polar Silver metallic exterior paint shade in combination with Melbourne Red metallic applications and a special treatment for the kidney grille.

Inside, apart from the two-tone sports seats, the M3 special features bespoke door sill strips, door panels and trim strips in aluminium grain structure, while the steering wheel is covered in Alcantara.

BMW will build only 67 examples of the M3 CRT worldwide.

BMW M3 CRT SPECIFICATIONS:

Construction / Cosmetics

M3 “CRT” = Carbon Racing Technologies

Limited production – 67 units

Priced in Germany at EUR 130,000 – incl. VAT

Debuts new production process for CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) components

Hood and bucket seats made from cellular carbon honeycomb

Hood has strength of conventional steel hood, but at 1/4 of its weight. 50% weight saving over M3 aluminum hood.

Frozen Polar Silver metallic exterior paint

Melbourne Red metallic applications and special treatment for the BMW kidney grille

Exclusive door sill strips, door panels and trim strips in aluminium grain structure

Special Sakhir Orange and Black dual colored covers for the front and individual rear seats

Alcantara-covered M steering wheel

Powertrain / Performance

450hp @ 8,300 RPM

324lb-ft torque @ 3,750 RPM

180mph / 290kmh top speed

4,360 cc displacement

0-100km/h (0-62mph) – 4.4 seconds

Sports exhaust system with extremely lightweight titanium muffler

Bedplate crankcase construction in special aluminum-silicon alloy

Individual throttle butterflies

Knock control system with ion current technology

Dynamically-optimized wet sump oil supply

Body

3,483 pounds / 1,580 kilograms = [100lb (45kg)] lighter than standard sedan / [154lb (70kg)] lighter when equipment on board taken into account

Proportion of car’s weight over rear axle raised to 48.4%

7.74 lb-per-hp weight-to-power ratio

3.5 kg-per-hp weight-to-power ratio

Wheels/Suspension

19-inch M light-alloy wheels in Y-spoke design

245/35 R 19 front tires and 265/35 R 19 rear tires

Front and rear axle enhanced by rigid rear axle subframe

Coilover suspension with individually adjustable dampers

6-piston fixed calipers with low-weight compound construction

378×32 mm front brake rotors / 380×28 mm rear rear rotors

Stahflex brake lines

Tech

Sound-proofing configured specially for low-weight construction

Two individual rear seats

M DCT w/ Drivelogic

Navigation System Professional

BMW Individual High End audio system

Alarm system with PDC sensors