2001 BMW M3 GTR

Beneath the beefy silhouette of the M3 GTR beats a powerful heart: a four-litre V8 engine delivering more than 400 bhp. This short-stroke, high-speed unit epitomizes the tradition of M power and is compact enough to fit into the M3. This engine is very different from the V8 found in the M5 and has yet to been seen in any E46 road car.
In accordance with the regulations of the Automobil Club de l’Ouest (A.C.O.), which also organizes the Le Mans 24 Hours, BMW Motorsport was planning on building a limited production run of road-ready M3 GTRs. The motivation behind this would be to satisfy homologation regulations which stated at least one road going version needed to be sold.

In accordance with the regulations of the Automobil Club de l’Ouest (A.C.O.), which also organizes the Le Mans 24 Hours, BMW Motorsport was planning on building a limited production run of road-ready M3 GTRs. The motivation behind this would be to satisfy homologation regulations which stated at least one road going version needed to be sold.

After decimating the competition in the GT class, Porsche complained the BMW car was streching the rules too far. The ACO coincided with Porsche and changed the rules such that the BMW would need an additional 100 lbs of weight and 20% larger air restrictors or make 1000 road going examples. Sadly, by attempting to make the GT class comptetative, the ACO have driven BMW away from GT motorsport in 2002.

In Detail

tags
e46, 3er

submitted by
Richard Owen

built at
Munich, Germany

price $
$ 470,000

engine
90 Degree V8

position
Front Longitudinal

aspiration
Natural

valvetrain
DOHC 4 Valves per Cyl

displacement
3997 cc / 243.9 in³

bore
94 mm / 3.7 in

stroke
72 mm / 2.83 in

compression
12.0:1

power
331.1 kw / 444 bhp @ 7500 rpm

specific output
111.08 bhp per litre

bhp/weight
396.43 bhp per tonne

torque
467.76 nm / 345 ft lbs @ 5500 rpm

redline
8500

body / frame
Unit Steel w/Carbon Fiber Panels, Steel Rollcage

wheel type
BBS Alloy

front tires
270/650-18 Michelin

rear tires
270/680-18 Michelin

front brakes
Brembro Vented Discs w/6-Pot Calipers

rear brakes
Brembro Vented Discs w/4-Pot Calipers

front wheels
F 45.7 x 27.9 cm / 18.0 x 11.0 in

rear wheels
R 45.7 x 27.9 cm / 18.0 x 11.0 in

steering
Rack & Pinion w/Power Assist

f suspension
MacPherson Struts w/Eibach Coil Spings, Sachs Tube Shocks, Anti-Roll Bar

r suspension
Central Link w/Eibach Coil Spings, Sachs Tube Shocks, Anti-Roll Bar

curb weight
1120 kg / 2469 lbs

wheelbase
2731 mm / 107.5 in

front track
1608 mm / 63.3 in

rear track
1603 mm / 63.1 in

length
4613 mm / 181.6 in

width
1900 mm / 74.8 in

height
1318 mm / 51.9 in

transmission
Hewland 6-Speed Manual w/Triple-Disc Carbon Fiber Clutch

gear ratios
2.50:1, 2.07:1, 1.69:1, 1.38:1, 1.18:1, 1.04:1

final drive
3.87:1