All six generations of the BMW M3 feature in a drag race to illustrate the advancement in performance from the first E30 iteration to the current G80 model.
The M3 is one of the world’s most iconic performance cars and made its world debut in 1986 with the E30 variant. Since then five generations have been introduced with various engine capacities and only the last two iterations using force-fed engines.
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THE FIRST BMW M3 WAS POWERED BY A FOUR-CYLINDER ENGINE
The aim of United Kingdom-based Youtube motoring channel Carwow was to pit the sixth generations of M3 against each other in a drag race to see how the performance model has developed.
The earliest M3 was the E30 which was powered by a 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine with 146kW and weighed less 1300kg. It employed a five-speed manual gearbox that sent power to the rear wheels only, according to Motor1.
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The following generation E36 mode sported what has become the M3’s signature engine, an inline six-cylinder engine. The S50 unit developed 235kW and also used a five-speed manual transmission. The weight increased to 1460kg, however it wasn’t felt too much thanks to the E36’s large jump in power.
The E46 is widely regarded as the best M3 and remains the last normally-aspirated six-cylinder fitted to a production M3. Its engine developed 252kW and this iteration introduced BMW’s sequential manual transmission.
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The only V8-powered M3 Coupe was next and was codenamed the E92 inside BMW. Its 4.0-litre engine revved high and produced 309kW. The first turbocharged M3, the F80, saw power jump to 331kW thanks to a twin-turbo 3.0-litre engine called the S55.
Lastly, the G80 has moved the goalposts even further with a 375kW 3.0-litre force fed engine that is paired with a sports torque converter gearbox. BMW introduced an xDrive model that features an all-wheel-drive system. The G80 weighs over 1700kg.
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Watch the BMW M3 drag race below:
BMW HAS EXPANDED THE
Source: The South African | Read More
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