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Intelligent lightweight design paves the way for even higher performance: the BMW M3 CRT.

Carbon Racing Technology: BMW M GmbH factory produces a limited-edition high-performance sports car based on the BMW M3 Saloon – Innovative use of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic minimises weight – Weight-to-power ratio: 3.5 kilograms per horsepower.

Munich/Nürburg. BMW M GmbH will use the M Night event in the lead-up to the Nürburgring 24-hour race to unveil a spectacular new addition to its model range. The BMW M3 CRT (Carbon Racing Technology) embodies a concentrated blend of state-of-the-art development expertise – inspired directly by motor sport – in the areas of drive system and chassis technology and intelligent lightweight design. It also represents the worldwide debut of a new production process for carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) components in the automotive industry. This process allows CFRP to be introduced widely in the construction of the high-performance BMW M3 Saloon-based sports car created by the BMW M GmbH factory. And that helps it achieve a weight-to-power ratio of 3.5 kilograms per horsepower. A V8 engine with customary M high-revving characteristics and maximum output of 331 kW/450 hp accelerates the BMW M3 CRT from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds. The BMW M3 CRT will be produced by the BMW M GmbH factory in a limited run of 67 units. Following in the tyre tracks of the BMW M3 GTS – of which 135 examples were produced – this is the second small-series, high-performance M3 off-shoot to be bred for the race track but registered for the road. The exclusive character of the Saloon is emphasised by bespoke lightweight design components manufactured as part of an innovative production process. The bonnet of the BMW M3 CRT and the bucket seats for the driver and front passenger are made from a cellular carbon honeycomb, which is produced in a globally unique process pioneered for the manufacture of body components for the BMW i3 and BMW i8 models.

Innovative manufacturing process for lightweight CFRP components.
These new models – due to enter volume production in 2013 and equipped with innovative electric and BMW ActiveHybrid drivesystem technology – will feature a body consisting entirely of CFRPin the passenger cell area. In a new development, the production process introduced for this purpose enables the cuttings left behind in the construction of the body to be reprocessed. The basic material (made up of carbon fibre thread) can now be woven into CFRP mats of any size before being impregnated with synthetic resin and hardened in a similar way to the material used in the body of the BMW i3 and BMW i8. For the BMW M3 CRT this allows the creation of a bonnet made from two CFRP mouldings encasing an aramid honeycomb structure. This construction imbues the bonnet with the
strength of a conventional steel equivalent, but at roughly a quarter of its weight. The weight saving over the aluminium bonnet of the standard BMW M3 Saloon is around 50 per cent.

The material produced through this innovative manufacturing technology is also used for the car’s bucket seats. Here, the CFRP layers are wrapped around a recycled-paper honeycomb, with a carbon layer made using conventional production technology added to visible areas. CFRP is also used to make both the rear spoiler of the BMW M3 CRT and an air-channelling element integrated into its front apron.

This innovative manufacturing process opens up considerable potential for increased use of CFRP in series-produced cars as a means of lowering weight. The BMW Group is leading the way in this area of automotive construction, while BMW M GmbH can call on extensive racing expertise when it comes to intelligent lightweight design. The BMW M3 CRT is the latest in a fine tradition of highly exclusive high-performance sports cars optimised with the help of lightweight design. This lineage stretches back to the BMW 3.0 CSL of the 1970s and reached another high point in 2002 with the BMW M3 CSL. BMW M GmbH also broke new ground with the use of CFRP in series-produced vehicles; like the BMW M6 produced up to
2010, the current BMW M3 Coupé comes as standard with a roof made from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic.

Significant weight reduction despite generous standard equipment.

The low-weight construction of the BMW M3 CRT is enhanced by sound-proofing configured specially for the new variant and a sports exhaust system with an extremely lightweight titanium muffler. Also unique to the CRT are the two individual rear seats, which take their cues from the lateral support-enhancing contours of the front seats.
Included in the standard specification of the BMW M3 CRT are the M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic, Navigation system Professional, BMW Individual High End audio system, a light, exterior mirror and luggage area package, an alarm system and Park Distance Control with sensors at the front and rear of the car. Despite this extremely generous selection of standard kit, its DIN unladen weight of 1,580 kg undercuts that of the standard BMW M3 Saloon by around 45 kg. When you take into account the equipment on board the weight saving is more like 70 kg. Added to which, cleverly reducing the load at the front of the car raises the proportion of the car’s weight over the rear axle to 48.4 per cent, which has an extremely positive effect on agility.

High-revving V8 engine with extra power; M DCT Drivelogic.

Under the CFRP bonnet of the BMW M3 CRT lies a variant of the V8 engine developed exclusively for the BMW M3 with further increased displacement, output and maximum torque. The high-revving unit provides the linear power delivery you expect from an M car and a highly responsive performance profile honed by the demands of the race track. Tuned for the BMW M3 GTS, the eight-cylinder engine develops 331 kW/450 hp from its 4,360 cc displacement. Maximum output is reached at 8,300 rpm, and the driver will find peak torque of 440 Newton metres on tap at 3,750 rpm. Helping to give the engine its intoxicating performance is wizardry derived directly from motor sport, including a bedplate crankcase construction in a special aluminium-silicon alloy, individual throttle butterflies, a knock control system with ion current technology and a dynamically-optimised wet sump oil supply.

Transferring the engine’s power to the rear wheels is the M doubleclutch transmission with Drivelogic developed for the BMW M3. The seven-speed M DCT Drivelogic unit also works according to a principle developed in motor sport, allowing an uninterrupted flow of power through gear changes to deliver extremely dynamic acceleration. Its shift characteristics have been tuned specially for the engine powering the BMW M3 CRT. Shift paddles on the steering wheel allow the driver to change gear manually with optimum ergonomics. And a Launch Control function is on hand to generate maximum acceleration off the start line.

Special chassis construction with race-bred technology.

Expertise from race competition also makes its presence felt in the chassis technology of the BMW M3 CRT. The BMW M3 Saloon’s front and rear axle construction has been enhanced by a rigid rear axle subframe and coilover suspension whose dampers are individually adjustable in their compression and rebound. The sixpiston, fixed-calliper high-performance brakes of the BMW M3 CRT boast a low-weight compound construction. The vented brake discs measure 378 x 32 millimetres at the front axle and 380 x 28 millimetres at the rear. The new M3 variant also uses Stahlflex brake lines and model-specific comfort brake pads.

The specially tuned DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system – including ABS and M Dynamic Mode (MDM) – responds to both the greater dynamic potential of the BMW M3 CRT and its optimised axle load distribution. Meanwhile, the 245/35 R 19 front tyres and 265/35 R 19 rears (fitted on 19-inch M light-alloy wheels in Y-spoke design) ensure the engine’s acceleration and braking power is transferred to the road with maximum impact. The electronic engine management of the BMW M3 CRT caps its top speed at 290 km/h.

The exclusive Frozen Polar Silver metallic exterior paint shade in combination with Melbourne Red metallic applications and special treatment for the BMW kidney grille also help to set the BMW M3 CRT apart from the standard M3. Inside, the Saloon comes with likewise exclusive door sill strips, door panels and trim strips in aluminium grain structure. Completing the distinctive ambience inside the high-performance Saloon are the Alcantara-covered M steering wheel, which has an M Drive button allowing the driver to call up his preferred set-up instantly, and special Sakhir Orange and Black bi-colour covers for the front and individual rear seats.

Specifications	E90 M3 CRT	E92 M3 GTS	E90 M3 DCT
Body
No. of doors/seats	4 / 4	2 / 2	4 / 5
Length	4614 mm	4645 mm	4580 mm
Width	1817 mm	1804 mm	1817 mm
Height (unladen)	1416 mm	1387 mm	1447 mm
Wheelbase	2761 mm	2760 mm	2761 mm
Track, front/rear	1540 mm / 1540 mm	1546 mm / 1539 mm	1540mm / 1539mm
Turning circle	11.7 m	11.7 m	11.7m
Tank capacity approx.	63l	63l	63l
Cooling system incl. Heating	11.4 l	11.4l	11.6l
Engine oil	6.6l	8.8l	8.8l
Weight, unladen, to DIN/EU	1580 / 1655 kg	1530 / 1605 kg	1625 / 1700 kg
Engine
Configuration/No of cyls/valves	V / 8 / 4	V / 8 / 4	V / 8 / 4
Engine technology	High-revving concept with individual throttle butterflies, Double-Vanos, dynamically optimised oil supply and ion current knock control	High-revving concept with individual throttle valves, Bi-Vanos, dynamically optimised oil supply and ion current knock control	High-speed concept with single butterflies, dual-Vanos, oil supply optimised for driving dynamics, ion flow anti-knock control
Effective capacity	4,361 ccm	4,361 ccm	3,999 ccm
Bore	92.0 mm	92.0 mm	92 mm
Stroke	82.0 mm	82.0 mm	75.2 mm
Compression ratio	12.0:1	12.0:1	12.0:1
Fuel grade	ROZ 98 (min. 95)	min ROZ 95	min RON 95
Output	331kw / 450hp	331kw / 450hp	309kw / 420hp
@	8,300 rpm	8,300 rpm	8,300 rpm
Torque	440 Nm	440 Nm	400 Nm
@	3,750 rpm	3,750 rpm	3,900 rpm
Driving dynamics and safety
Suspension, front	Aluminium dual-joint spring strut suspension; small, positive steering roll radius; transverse force compensation; anti-dive	Aluminium dual-joint spring strut suspension with tension rod; small, positive steering scrub radius; transverse force compensation; anti-dive, coilover suspension with dampers independently variable in compression and rebound travel, variable wheel camber	Aluminium two-joint spring strut axle with tiebar; small positive steering roll radius; compensation of lateral forces; anti-dive
Suspension, rear	Five-link axle in lightweight construction with rigid rear axle subframe, anti-squat and anti-dive	Lightweight five-link rear suspension with anti-squat and anti-dive, rigid rear-axle support, coilover suspension with dampers independently variable in compression and rebound travel, variable wheel camber	Five-arm lightweight axle with ant-squat and anti-dive
Brakes, front	Six-piston fixed-calliper compound disc brakes	Six-piston fixed-calliper compound disc brakes	Single-piston swing-calliper compound disc brakes
Diameter	378mm x 32mm, vented and perforated	378mm x 32mm, vented and perforated	360mm x 30mm, vented and cross-drilled
Brakes, rear	Six-piston fixed-calliper compound disc brakes	Four-piston fixed-calliper compound disc brakes	Single-piston swing-calliper compound disc brakes
Diameter	380mm x 28mm, vented and perforated	380mm x 28mm, vented and perforated	350mm x 24mm, vented and cross-drilled
Driving stability systems
Standard:	DSC incl. ABS and MDM (M Dynamic Mode), CBC (Cornering Brake Control), DBC (Dynamic Brake Control), Dry Braking function, Fading Compensation, Start-Off Assistant, variable M differential lock, coilover suspension with adjustable compression and rebound	DSC incl. ABS and DTC (Dynamic Traction Control), CBC (Cornering Brake Control), DBC Dynamic Brake Control, rain brake support, fading compensation, hill-start Assistant, variable M differential lock, Electronic Damper Control	Standard: DSC incl ABS and DTC (Dynamic Traction Control), CBC Cornering Brake Control, DBC Brake Assistant, Dry Braking, Fading Compensation, Start-Off Assistant, variable M differential lock, optional: Electronic Damper Control
Safety equipment
Standard:	airbags for driver and front passenger, head airbags for front and rear seats, three-point inertia-reel seatbelts on all seats (with belt stopper, belt tensioner and belt force limiter at the front), crash sensors, Tyre Defect Indicator	airbags for driver and front seat passenger, side airbags for driver and front seat passenger, head airbags, three-point automatic belts with belt stoppers, pretensioners and belt-force limiters, crash sensors, tyre defect indicator, firmly bolted roll bar with fastening points for optional roll cage and additionally supplied six-point safety belts for driver and front seat passenger	Standard: airbags for driver and front passenger, side airbags for driver and front passenger, head airbags front and rear, three-point inertia-reel seat belts on all seats, with belt stopper, belt tightener and belt force limiter at the front, crash-activated headrests at the front, crash sensors, Tyre Defect Indicator
Steering	Rack-and-pinion steering with hydraulic assistance and M-specific Servotronic function	Rack-and-pinion hydraulic steering with Servotronic function	Rack-and-pinion steering with hydraulic assistance and Servotronic
Steering ratio, overall	12.5:1	12.5:1	12.5:1
Tyres, front/rear	245/35 R19	255/35 ZR19	245/40 ZR18
Tyres, rear	265/35 R19	285/30 ZR19	245/40 ZR18
Rims, front/rear	9J x 19 EH2 cast aluminium	9J x 19 LM	8.5J x 18 EH2+ IS 29 cast alu
Rims, rear	10J x 19 EH2 cast aluminium	10J x 19 LM	9.5J x 18 EH2+ IS 23 cast alu
Transmission
Type of gearbox	Seven-speed M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic	Seven-speed M Dual Clutch Drivelogic transmission	Optional: seven-speed M Double-Clutch Gearbox with Drivelogic
Gear ratios (:1)
I	4.780	4.780	4.780
II	3.056	3.056	3.056
III	2.153	2.153	2.153
IV	1.678	1.678	1.678
V	1.390	1.390	1.390
VI	1.203	1.203	1.203
VII	1.000	1.000	1.000
R	4.454	4.454	4.454
Final drive	3.150	3.154	3.154
Performance
Weight-to-power ratio (DIN)	4.8 kg/kW	4.6 kg/kW	5.2 kg/kW
Output per litre	75.9 kW/l	75.9 kW/l	77.3 kw/l
Acceleration 0–100 kph	4.4s	4.4s	4.7s
0–1000 m	22.5s	22.5s	23.3s
Top speed	290kph	305kph	250kph
BMW EfficientDynamics
Standard features	Brake Energy Regeneration, gear shift indicator, on-demand operation of ancillary units, intelligent lightweight construction, optimised aerodynamic properties, mapcontrolled oil pump
Fuel consumption (EU)
Urban	18.4 l/100km	18.4 l/100km	15.9 l/100km
Extra-urban	9.3 l/100km	9.3 l/100km	8.5 l/100km
Combined	12.7l/100km	12.7l/100km	11.2 l/100km
CO2	295g/km	295g/km	263
Emission rating	EU5	EU5	EU5