New M3 - emerging spec details
Discussion
BMW were due to reveal more info today and it looks like a few bits have already leaked out. Importantly the engine specs. Seems like the new V8 is 15kg lighter than the previous S54 six in the E46 M3.
www.motorauthority.com/cars/bmw/bmw%e2%80%99s-new-v8-engine-for-the-m3/
www.motorauthority.com/cars/bmw/bmw%e2%80%99s-new-v8-engine-for-the-m3/
Edited by DoctorD on Thursday 22 March 08:24
Out of interest;
- the 997 GT3 engine develops 305Kw and 405Nm from 3600cc
- this new M3 V8 engine develops 309Kw and 400Nm from 3999cc
Interesting eh? Key information we need to hear is how much the whole car weighs. Bear in mind the 997 GT3 has weighed in at 1460-1470kg, if the E92 M3 weighs in at 100kg more then that gives us 'some' idea of performance.
- the 997 GT3 engine develops 305Kw and 405Nm from 3600cc
- this new M3 V8 engine develops 309Kw and 400Nm from 3999cc
Interesting eh? Key information we need to hear is how much the whole car weighs. Bear in mind the 997 GT3 has weighed in at 1460-1470kg, if the E92 M3 weighs in at 100kg more then that gives us 'some' idea of performance.
Edited by DoctorD on Thursday 22 March 10:37
DoctorD said:
... Key information we need to hear is how much the whole car weighs. Bear in mind the 997 GT3 has weighed in at 1460-1470kg, if the E92 M3 weighs in at 100kg more then that gives us 'some' idea of performance.
How about gear ratios, and time to shift, as not wasting say 0.7 sec changing gears each time helps accleration times (works for the F430 and M5!) With enough numbers I can feed it into
www.cartestsoftware.com/cartest2000/index.html
! Oh, as a wild guess am estimating a top speed of 186mph derestricted)
. 
No gear ratios yet. There is a press conference in Munich later this afternoon so more information perhaps then.
A few more factoids;
This new S65 V8 engine has a 12:1 compression ratio (same as the 997 GT3). BMW claim it to be the lightest V8 engine on the market and it is some 40kg lighter than the last V8 engine built by M GmbH as fitted in the E39 M5.
A few more factoids;
This new S65 V8 engine has a 12:1 compression ratio (same as the 997 GT3). BMW claim it to be the lightest V8 engine on the market and it is some 40kg lighter than the last V8 engine built by M GmbH as fitted in the E39 M5.
English version of the press release just now available.
Only clue I could find about the absolute weight of the M3 read as follows:
"In its specific output, the eight-cylinder easily exceeds the benchmark of 100 hp per litre acknowledged as the standard for a particularly sporting and dynamic power unit. But even so, power is not everything. Instead, the dy-namic experience offered by a car is borne out in particular by its acceleration and performance in gear at all speeds resulting also from the weight of the vehicle and the sheer thrust and muscle of the engine"
And..
"High speed, low weight.
The fact remains that more power alone – that is higher torque – is not
sufficient to be a winner. And so the BMW M3 outperforms competitors focusing on the torque concept alone, wherever those models require a massively reinforced and, accordingly, heavy drivetrain to convey their extremely high level of torque, since this extra weight and mass must first be accelerated and propelled to a higher speed. The high engine speed
concept, on the other hand, enables the engineer to opt for a much lighter drivetrain and choose a far shorter transmission ratio"
I guess they wouldn't be saying this if they had something to hide.
Only clue I could find about the absolute weight of the M3 read as follows:
"In its specific output, the eight-cylinder easily exceeds the benchmark of 100 hp per litre acknowledged as the standard for a particularly sporting and dynamic power unit. But even so, power is not everything. Instead, the dy-namic experience offered by a car is borne out in particular by its acceleration and performance in gear at all speeds resulting also from the weight of the vehicle and the sheer thrust and muscle of the engine"
And..
"High speed, low weight.
The fact remains that more power alone – that is higher torque – is not
sufficient to be a winner. And so the BMW M3 outperforms competitors focusing on the torque concept alone, wherever those models require a massively reinforced and, accordingly, heavy drivetrain to convey their extremely high level of torque, since this extra weight and mass must first be accelerated and propelled to a higher speed. The high engine speed
concept, on the other hand, enables the engineer to opt for a much lighter drivetrain and choose a far shorter transmission ratio"
I guess they wouldn't be saying this if they had something to hide.
Edited by DoctorD on Thursday 22 March 14:17
Top pup said:
Impressive power and weight figures, but i expected BMW to squeeze a little more torque out of it.
You are missing the point of M Power engines then. The concept is of a lightweight engine and transmission operating at high rpm. Power is a function of torque and rpm and the M Power model is to get power by revving the engine, like Ferrari, like Porsche, like (at a far more extreme level) an F1 car.
Zod said:
Top pup said:
Impressive power and weight figures, but i expected BMW to squeeze a little more torque out of it.
You are missing the point of M Power engines then. The concept is of a lightweight engine and transmission operating at high rpm. Power is a function of torque and rpm and the M Power model is to get power by revving the engine, like Ferrari, like Porsche, like (at a far more extreme level) an F1 car.
I realise the concept of M Power engines, i simply expected it to produce in excess of 100Nm per litre.
Edited by Top pup on Thursday 22 March 23:14
Top pup said:
Zod said:
Top pup said:
Impressive power and weight figures, but i expected BMW to squeeze a little more torque out of it.
You are missing the point of M Power engines then. The concept is of a lightweight engine and transmission operating at high rpm. Power is a function of torque and rpm and the M Power model is to get power by revving the engine, like Ferrari, like Porsche, like (at a far more extreme level) an F1 car.
I realise the concept of M Power engines, i simply expected it to produce in excess of 100Nm per litre.
Edited by Top pup on Thursday 22 March 23:14
It's just about bang on 100 Nm, just like the M5, whcih is what I expected.
edb49 said:
As a comparison, the 330i coupe weighs 1545kg (EU) with a 161kg engine. The M3 engine adds 40kg, which would take the weight to 1585kg.
Other things that would affect the weight:
+ M Diff
+ SMG
- Carbon roof
Anything else to add to this list?
Other things that would affect the weight:
+ M Diff
+ SMG
- Carbon roof
Anything else to add to this list?
SMG adds verylittle weight. The gearbox itself is probably heavier with an extra ratio and beefed-up components though.
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