BMW "Changes the Game" |
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BMW "Changes the Game"
Anthony Fontanelle
May 21, 2007
The German car manufacturer Bavarian Motor Works or BMW have always been known for producing vehicles that are aimed at satisfying the driving pleasure needs of car owners. Year after year, the company has come up with new generation of their existing models and for the near future, the company promises to “change the game” with the all-new M3 coupe.
After a year of absence in the market, BMW is set to once again set the bar for performance in the coupe segment. According to the company, while other companies change the grille configuration of their auto models, they have improved the M3 coupe not only on the outside and inside but also under the hood with the class-leading 414 horsepower V8 engine.
The M3 coupe is based on the BMW 3 Series coupe but its similarity is only limited to the design cues used on the doors, trunk lid, and the fuel-filler cap. Aside from those body parts, the M3 is a unique pure driving machine. Sleek styling cues include the bulge on the hood - a sign of bold styling that BMW is known for. Its grille is easily recognizable as a BMW and below it are side intakes with side ventilation gills. These style cues not only increase the aesthetic value of the coupe but they also increase the flow of needed air from the surroundings to the engine.
Improvements made on the exterior of the vehicle include bigger wheels and flared fenders. Its roof is made out of carbon fiber which is lighter than metal but stronger. The lightweight quality of the material gives the M3 Coupe a lower center of gravity. This translates to a better agility while increasing the “coolness” factor of the car.
The M3 Coupe’s powerplant is the huge 4.0-liter V8 engine. The said powerplant is produced on BMW’s Landshut engine factory where the BMW Formula One engine is produced. The all-aluminum internal combustion engine is capable of producing 414 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. This much torque gives the M3 one of the fastest accelerations in its class. With that much power, it needs high quality BMW brakes for maximum stopping power.
The new engine, while having a higher displacement and two more cylinders, still weighs less than its predecessor which is an inline six-cylinder engine. Compared to the previously employed engine by the BMW M3 Coupe, the new one weighs 30 lbs. less. When compared to the 5.0-liter V8 engine used by the M5, the M3 Coupe’s new engine weighs 100 lbs. less. This lower weight further increases the agility of the M3 much like the effect of the carbon fiber has on the nimbleness of the coupe. The engine is equipped with eight individual throttle butterfly valves and double VANOS technology. This gives the engine a better response to the demand for power by the driver.
Fuel efficiency is also increased with the use of these components. The engine is coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox which delivers the power to the rear wheels.
With the power and exterior upgraded, it is only fitting that the suspension system should complement the two. For the new generation of the M3 Coupe, a new suspension setting is composed of parts made out of strong but lightweight aluminum. For the front, the M3 uses a strut suspension setting while on the rear it employs a five-arm rear suspension setting. Both the front and the rear suspension configuration feature anti-roll bars which improves the stability of the coupe even on tight cornering.
When it comes to driver-related controls, BMW is known to pull all the stops. For the BMW M3 Coupe, this trademark is easily seen. The coupe is offered with the Electronic Damper Control which allows the driver to control the ride configuration. The option has three settings namely Normal, Comfort, and Sport. The coupe is also equipped with the Servotronic power steering which can be configured to the Sport setting from Normal. With these wide ranges of settings, a driver can save his or her preferences and activate it when behind the wheel by simply pushing a button.
Also part of the upgrades to the M3 Coupe is its interior features. For the convenience of the driver, the cockpit is accented with dual round gauges which are easily visible. The front seats are also adjustable to give comfort to its occupants even on extended road trips.
With the improvements made on the M3 coupe for its return in the market, BMW may have set the bar once again not only for its competitors but for itself. While BMW has faith in the appeal of the 2008 M3 Coupe, it would be car buyers who would decide whether the M3 will become a success or not.
Source: Amazines.com