BMW - M3

This M3 is the fourth generation of a hugely successful model for BMW's M division, with nearly 180,000 sold since its launch in 1986. It's based on the 3-Series Coupe but shares just 20% of its components with the regular car - namely the doors, lights, bootlid and windows. Everything else has been tweaked or tuned specifically for the M3, including a roof made of carbon fibre to lower the car's centre of gravity.

An eight-cylinder engine features in the M3 for the first time - a 414bhp 4.0-litre V8 with 295lb-ft of torque. It's capable of revving to a high 8,300rpm and is engineered to ensure power is available across the rev range. Although larger than the previous M3's 3.2-litre six-cylinder engine, the new engine actually weighs 15kg less - although as a whole, this M3 is 160kg heavier than its predecessor.
Priced on par with the Audi RS4, but cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, the BMW M3 goes on sale in the UK in September 2007.

The M3 is available as a two-door coupe, with a folding metal-roofed convertible and saloon models in the pipeline - a Touring estate will not be offered. A more extreme CSL version may follow, but not for a few years.

Performance
(3.2l-24v I6) - 343 PS (US model = 333 HP / 252 kW)0-60 MPH - 4.8 seconds, 1/4 Mile - 13.1@105 MPH (U.S. model Car and Driver, March 2003) Top Speed: 155 MPH (249 km/h, electronically limited) 189 MPH(304 km/h, delimited)