More practicality, more style for M3

Fans of BMW's M3 yearning for a convertible model, take heart. BMW has heard your plea and has slipped the V8 M3 mechanicals into the open-top 3 Series body.

It's not like it's gone all soft, either. BMW claims the new M3 Convertible is the fastest ever, with a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 5.3 seconds with the standard six-speed manual transmission or 5.1 seconds with a new transmission option, the seven-speed M double-clutch unit.

Mechanically, the new model is equipped as for the existing M3 coupe, other than the new optional transmission with Drivelogic (more here). This transmission option will trickle down to the coupe from next month.

BMW will commence delivering the M3 Convertible to Australian customers in November and the estimated price will be somewhere around the $170,000 mark.

On the subject of future plans, BMW will introduce the M3-as-sedan about a month after the Convertible, offering families the chance to enjoy the power and dynamic abilities of the '3 Series with all the M-mumbo' -- and four doors.

The V8 powering both the convertible and the sedan is the first such engine to drive the hottest 3 Series, previous powerplants all being sixes. Developing 309kW of power and 400Nm of torque, the engine (more here) will rev to 8400rpm and uses fuel at the rate of 12.9L/100km on combined cycle testing (12.3 with the M double-clutch box).

BMW promotes the M3 convertible as the first 'M car' fitted with a retracting hard-top roof. As for the lesser 3 Series convertibles, the M3's roof can be lowered in 22 seconds and the trim is 'SunReflective' leather, which resists heating up under direct sunlight and can keep as much as 20 degrees cooler than normal leather trim. 

For occupant safety, the M3 Convertible is fitted with a rollover-sensor system shared with other 3 Series convertible models, monitoring the car's vertical and horizontal movement, triggering front seatbelt pre-tensioners, side-impact airbags and pop-up roll bars behind the rear headrests.

Standard features for the M3 Convertible include: dual front airbags, side-impact airbags (but not the head airbags of the coupe), Brake Assist, stability control, traction control, 8.5Jx18 alloy wheels at front with 245/40 ZR18 tyres, 9.5Jx18 alloy wheels at rear with 265/40 ZR18 tyres, Novillo leather upholstery, anthracite headlining, road-speed-sensitive variable power steering, cruise control, park distance control for front and rear, electro-chromatic mirror, bi-xenon headlights, follow-me-home lighting, adaptive headlights, fold-in electrically heated and adjustable mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, auto-on/off headlights, electrically-adjustable heated front seats with memory, leather-bound multi-function steering wheel, six-disc CD audio system with USB interface, trip computer, external temperature display, climate control and remote central locking.

The M3 sedan will reach 100km/h from a standing start in 4.7 seconds, yet return a combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 11.9L/100km. As for the M3 coupe and convertible, M3 sedan will be offered with both the standard six-speed manual and the optional seven-speed M double-clutch transmission.

Many of the M3 features already introduced with the coupe will carry over to the M3 sedan, but the carbonfibre roof is not one of them. In most other respects though, the sedan upholds the M3 reputation and is equipped with the 18-inch M Design alloy wheels, upgraded brakes and M3-specific styling (including bonnet bulge, quarter panel air intakes, sports side-sills and four exhaust pipes).

BMW claims that only one component is shared by the platforms of the lower-spec 3 Series and the M3 sedans. Of the entire car, 70 to 80 per cent is unique to the M3. As well as the extra doors, the M3 sedan will offer seating for five -- a first for the M3.

The company will announce pricing of the sedan as the launch draws closer.

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