The new BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe are launching next month and two siblings will join the most famous family of BMW M cars. To showcase the heritage and how the M3 evolved, the M folks have displayed some iconic M3 models.
BMW M3 Sport Evolution (E30)
“Evo” Magazine rated the E30 M3 Sport Evolution top of all the M series BMWs at time of print. The E30 M3 Sport Evolution was BMW’s response to the Mercedes 190E 2.5-16 Evolution. The M3 was built to a set of specifications to comply with the FIA’s Group A Touring Class regulations, which required an initial run of 500 road cars.
After experimenting with several different engine combinations, BMW Motorsport settled on the M10 block as the starting point for its S14 plant. Designed in just fourteen days, the S14 was a mix of existing parts. The block was derived from the two-liter four engine found in the 320, equipped with a DOHC, sixteen valve head. Sharing its bore and stroke with the bigger six cylinder engine, the new S14 displaced just over 2.3 liter. In stock form it produced a 200 horsepower, with the competition spec engine putting out at least 300 horsepower at 8000 rpm. 0 to 60 mph comes in 6.1 seconds.
BMW M3 Coupe (E36)
The E36 variant appeared first in 1992 and was the first M3 powered by a straight-6 engine. The engine used is a 2,990 cc S50, which produces 210 kW (282 hp).
Initially available as a coupe only, BMW introduced M3 convertible/cabriolet and saloon versions in 1994, the absence of any M5 models in the BMW line-up between the end of E34 M5 production in 1995 and the launch of the E39 M5 in 1998 prompting the introduction of the four-door Motorsport model. In September and November, 1995, the M3 coupe and saloon, respectively, were upgraded to the 236 kilowatts (316 hp) 3.2 liter S50B32 engine.
BMW M3 Coupe (E46)
One of BMW fans’ favorite, the E46 chassis, made its debut in 2001. It was powered by the 3.2 liter S54 M-tuned engine. At the time of the car’s introduction, this engine had the highest specific output naturally aspirated of any engine ever made by BMW (except in the McLaren F1), producing 343 horsepower (256 kW) and 365 N·m (269 lb-ft). No sedan variant was offered for the E46 generation.
The E46 M3 was offered with a standard 6-speed Getrag transmission, but optionally came with a SMG drivelogic transmission (also known as the SMG II).
BMW M3 Coupe (E92)
In 2007 BMW introduced the E90/E92/E93 platforms, corresponding to three different bodystyles: sedan, coupe and convertible. The award-winning S65 engine produces 414 bhp (309 kW; 420 PS) at 8300 rpm, with peak torque of 295 lb-ft (400 N-m) at 3900 rpm. A six-speed manual transmission is standard. As from April 2008, BMW offers a new seven speed Getrag double-clutch gearbox, called M-DKG (Doppel-Kupplungs-Getriebe) or M-DCT (Double Clutch Transmission) as an option.
