When the BMW E46 M3 failed to qualify for the 2000 Florida 12 Hours of Sebring, BMW realized it needed to go larger and better. The M3’s already potent 6-cylinder engine couldn’t keep up because it was designed as a road-going vehicle and lacked the boost necessary to thrive in Florida. At this point, BMW submitted a vehicle that had previously been race-tuned. The revised M3’s powertrain received several significant improvements, while other elements that broke daily driving norms were removed.
Porsche had to argue that BMW was pushing things too far and making the competition unfair because the car was too powerful. This is when the Automobil Club de l’Ouest (A.C.O. ), which also oversees the Le Mans 24 Hours, decided to order 1,000 road-going BMW M3 GTRs to be rebuilt with an additional 100 pounds of weight and 20% larger air restrictors.
The M3 GTR is still one of the rarest BMWs ever produced, and just 10 were produced as a result of the new regulations making it impossible to complete the car within the 12-month production cycle.
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GTR on a BMW M3—what does that mean?
One response: Edel Gabriel. While GT-B stands for Gran Turismo Berlinetta, GT-R stands for Gran Turismo Racing. As most automobiles produced in Japan at the time used Western acronyms, the Japanese decided to name the car using Italian naming practices to increase sales.
When was the M3 GTR manufactured?
The first M3 in the history of the brand to have a V8 engine was the BMW E46 M3 GTR, which debuted in February 2001. The BMW M3 GTR was only built in order to comply with the Le Mans regulations, which state that every vehicle raced must be produced in a set number for a specific period of time prior to the racing car’s season opening. The road car had to be a V8 since the Le Mans M3 GTR was a V8.
BMW sold 10 road-capable M3 GTR vehicles for EUR250,000 apiece following the 2001 racing season in order to comply with this restriction. The P60 utilized in the road car was somewhat detuned, producing 380 horsepower at 7,000 rpm, dry-sump lubrication, and a sharply canted radiator with hood venting. A twin-disc clutch designed for racing was used to transfer power to the 6-speed manual gearbox and variable locking M differential.
The M3 GTR’s suspension system was extremely sporty and was adapted from the race version. The chassis was heavily strengthened. The BMW M3 GTR was significantly lowered in comparison to the regular M3, and additional bracing was installed between the rear shock towers and the firewall and strut towers. The M3 GTR’s aerodynamics were improved by lowering lift thanks to expanded and redesigned front and back fascias as well as the rear wing.
Weight reduction procedures were implemented extensively for the E46 M3 GTR road vehicle. Similar to the race version, the front and rear fascias, hood vents, rear spoiler, and roof were all made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). Additionally, the GTR’s interior underwent a lightweight redesign. The rear seat was removed, Recaro leather-covered racing seats were fitted, and exclusive M3 GTR sill plates completed the interior modifications.
The E46 M3 GTR is still regarded as one of the best cars to have ever raced in the well-known video game Need for Speed. There are numerous fan favorites when it comes to automobiles distributed across the 20-year history of the racing game.
The BMW M3 GTR: Is it real?
Based on their M3 E46, BMW produced the 2001 BMW M3 GTR GT (E46).
The car was entered in the GT class of both the American Le Mans Championship and the European Le Mans Series during the 2001 racing season, competing for both the BMW Motorsport and Team Schnitzer teams.
It originally came equipped with a 3.2L inline-six engine that was based on the E46 M3 standard engine. The vehicle made its American Le Mans Series debut in the GT class in 2000, although it only managed one victory and was frequently outperformed by the Porsche 911 GT3-R.
Before the start of the 2001 racing season, a freshly designed P60B40 V8 engine was quickly installed in the race car. It was created concurrently with the BMW V10 engine, which powered Williams Formula 1 cars in the 2001 F1 season. Because BMW’s engineers were unable to extract any more horsepower from the old engine, it was replaced.
The M3 GTR GT was able to outperform the Porsche 911 GT3-R and win seven of the ten GT events during the 2001 season thanks to the upgraded engine. When BMW protested that the V8 engine in the M3 GTR GT was not available in any BMW M3 that was road legal during the 2001 ALMS season, Porsche argued that BMW had broken both the ALMS entry regulations and the Gran Turismo spirit.
The ALMS rules were changed for the GT class heading into the 2002 season, and required that at least 100 units as well as 1,000 engines be built for a car to qualify. BMW produced 10 road-going GTR models, which went on sale after the 2001 ALMS season ended due to the requirement that the entered cars must be placed on sale on two continents within twelve months of the season beginning. BMW was had to withdraw the M3 GTR from the next American Le Mans Series season due to the altered rules.
But when the BMW-backed Schnitzer Motorsport team entered two M3 GTRs for the 2003 24 Hours of Nurburgring endurance event, it made its comeback to motorsport. The following two years, the M3 GTR took part in the competition and helped the squad win 1-2 in 2004 and 2005.
Is the BMW M3 GTR still in stock?
Seven out of ten ALMS GT races in 2001 saw the BMW motorsport M3 GTR finish first or third. Much to the chagrin of the rivals. Demands for stricter rules emerged as a result of the response. They succeeded in getting their way, changing the definition of “series model” from ten to a requirement of at least 100 homologation models. After just one extremely successful season in US motorsport, the BMW M3 GTR’s departure was thus assured. A few M3 GTRs were used with tremendous success between 2003 and 2005, particularly at the 24-hour race on the Nurburgring, demonstrating that the GT car still had a future in Europe.
BMW produces the GTR?
The M3 GTR, which was first designed to compete in Le Mans, eventually rose to become one of the most adored vehicles in popular culture. What makes it so unique is as follows.
The BMW M3 GTR is still regarded as one of the most legendary vehicles to ever grace the racetracks, twenty years after its creation. In order to maintain BMW competitive in the American Le Mans series, the M3 GTR was developed. Following some victories, Porsche, the M3 GTR’s competitor, had reservations over the car’s status as a prototype. BMW was then forced to sell the GTR on at least two other continents.
Six road versions of the race car were produced by the company, and each was sold for the absurd price of EUR250,000 ($296,000). Three of the six road variations were experimental models. The Ferrari 425 GT, 1999 Ford Mustang FR 500, and Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet were a few of the M3 GTR’s competitors. In case you need a refresher, here are some things we failed to mention about the storied BMW M3 GTR.
Which BMW M3 features a v8 engine?
The V-8 engine was added to the M3 in its fourth generation. The 4.0-liter V-8, which was especially made for the M3, has a redline of 8400 rpm and 414 horsepower. The sound of this M3 is possibly the greatest ever produced.
That unique V-8 pulled and thundered in a way that its forerunners couldn’t duplicate. The E90 generation is heavier than the E80 generation, despite the V-8 weighing 33 pounds less than the previous inline-six. Despite lacking a sunroof and having a carbon fiber roof panel, the coupe coupe weighed roughly 200 pounds heavier than previously. Even with the additional weight, the redesigned chassis maintained the track-ready power while enhancing the ride.
Similar to the E36, the price of the E90 has dropped to alluringly low levels. It’s simple to find one with higher miles for less money than a brand-new Miata. You need still be mindful of a few things, though.
- The V-8 engine is dependable and strong. Mostly. Watch out for any signs of main bearing or connecting rod wear. Additionally, keep an eye out for any issues with the two throttle actuators that can cause the main ECU to enter limp-home mode. For this unique engine, parts are exceedingly expensive.
- If something does go wrong, don’t anticipate it to be simple to fix. This M3 has far more processors and electrical systems than any of its predecessors since it is thoroughly more modern.
- Oil will be burned. If you frequently engage the car’s upper rev range, there is a lot of it. It also uses pricey 10W-60 weight. Make sure to keep some in the trunk in case you run out at any time.
- Avoiding and avoiding buying vehicles with iDrive-controlled infotainment systems is a good idea. The system is generally dependable, but you should obviously avoid the outdated menus, displays, and user interface if at all possible. Additionally, the display won’t be under a large, unsightly hump on the instrument panel.
How was the M3 GTR’s engine powered?
The M3 GTR Road Version The road-going M3 GTR was powered by a BMW P60B40 4.0 L V8 engine, just as the race M3 GTR. For the road version, the P60B40’s 444 horsepower was reduced to between 350 and 380 horsepower.
The BMW M3 is uncommon.
The E30 M3 is quickly turning into an extremely sought-after collector automobile. The German automaker initially homologated this race car for use on public roads. It was created with racing in mind, and boy was it effective on the track. Therefore, with this vehicle, you’re getting the opposite of just a sports upgrade from a road-legal production automobile.
Five years ago, you could find one in excellent condition for between $35,000 and $50,000; today, though, these vintage thoroughbred racers are selling for well over $100,000.
Is the BMW M3 GTR retribution?
Is the BMW M3 GTR a playable character in NFS Payback? I adore BMWs, and if possible, I’d like to stream using the M3 GTR, but I’m not sure how to add it to the game.
In less than two minutes, find out if your auto insurance is being overcharged.
It is indeed feasible! In NFS Payback, you must go to Mount Providence, which is situated in the lower left-hand corner of the map, in order to obtain the BMW M3 GTR. In the trees close to some stores, the car will be concealed.
You guys must avoid the police as soon as you have the car. You won’t be able to keep the car if you’re found driving it. But once you reach Ravas, the automobile is entirely yours!
In NFS, you might be able to steal a BMW, but in real life, you’d have to save enough for one. Fortunately, you may save money on your auto insurance with the help of the Jerraay app, allowing you a little extra cash each month to save.
What horsepower does the M3 GTR have?
Compared to the original six, its 4.0-liter displacement is significantly larger. Porsche quotes a surprisingly low 402 horsepower for their 911 GT3 race car, while BMW claims the new engine makes 444 horsepower, 42 more than the six-cylinder M3 racer made.