BMW M3 2008 News

With a zero to 100km/h time of 5.1 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h, this four-seater is not for the faint-hearted, or follicularly challenged toupee wearer.The six-speed manual convertible is expected to cost about $167,000 when it arrives in Australian showrooms in July.Apart from a six-speed manual, the convertible will be available with a seven-speed double-clutch transmission, which replaces the SMG unit and will be an $8000 option on the convertible and the coupe.BMW Australia spokesman Toni Andreevski says that, as with the M3 coupe, supply will be limited.The hi-tech double clutch gearbox will be exclusive to the M3, he says. There are no plans to make it available on the M5 or M6.“It's unlikely until the next-generation M5 and M6 cars arrive,” Andreevski says.BMW Australia is also looking at the four-door M3 sedan.But Andreevski says the company will monitor demand for the coupe and convertible before it commits to an M3 sedan.“We've never sold an M3 sedan before,” he says. “But if we were to introduce it I'd say it would arrive early next year.”Only the M3 convertible's doors, three-piece steel roof, boot lid, windows and rear lights are interchangeable with the 325i and 335i convertibles. Like the coupe, the convertible has a 4.0-litre V8 that develops 309kW at 8300 revs and 400Nm at 3900 revs.Despite the extra weight of the stiff convertible, it is only 0.3 seconds slower to 100km/h.The convertible returns a combined fuel-economy figure of 12.3 litres for 100km.Visually, it shares the M3 coupe's striking grille, flared wheel arches, power dome bonnet, air-intake gills in the front side panels and 18-inch wheels.At the back there is a rear air dam diffuser and dual M exhausts.The 360mm front and 350mm rear brakes are lightweight vented, cross-drilled units designed to dissipate heat under heavy use.The convertible's three-piece lightweight steel roof opens or retracts in 22 seconds and has extremely high standards of torsional stiffness and passenger safety. In the event of a rollover, two automatically activated rollbars pop up behind the rear seats.The boot holds 350 litres of luggage with the roof up and 210 litres with the roof down.As with the coupe, the convertible does not lack for equipment, which includes sun-reflective leather sports seats and aluminium highlights. Double dealingThoroughness is a BMW engineering mantra. Not content to saddle its cars with a below-par, double-clutch gearbox, it set out to develop its own . . . specifically for a high-performance engine.And that engine is the 309kW/400Nm 4.0-litre V8 in the M3.Until now, double-clutch-style gearboxes have been restricted to small-capacity engines with moderate torque loads. BMW has designed its gearbox to deal with 9000 revs without complaint, yet maintain a consistent operating temperature.Called the M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic, it will arrive with the M3 convertible in July and subsequently be available on the M3 coupe. It will eventually replace the SMG sequential gearbox.The gearbox uses two oil-cooled wet clutches that are individually responsible for different sets of gears. One clutch handles reverse, first, third, fifth and seventh gears, and the other the even ratios: second, fourth and sixth.While driving, the transmission preselects the next gear, ensuring fast and smooth changes. The gearbox has 11 driver-selectable electronically controlled programs. These include five shift programs in the fully automatic mode and six in manual mode.These are supplemented by a selectable “launch control” program that provides blistering acceleration from the 309kW V8.An M3 coupe can now accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds, 0.2 seconds faster than the manual six-speed. It returns an average fuel consumption of 11.9 litres for 100km.Would you like to see the M3 sedan version in Australia? 

   

A four-door M3 has already been revealed but the German company has much bigger plans, with a convertible and a six-speed manu-matic gearbox both in the works for 2008.The droptop M3 should be previewed in Europe before the first local deliveries of the M3 sedan, in the second half of the year, but there is no confirmation yet of the M DCT gearbox.It is part of a plan to expand the reach and appeal of the M3 as it faces up to the considerable challenge of the new Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, which will come to Australia with more power and at a lower price than its BMW rival.BMW is strongly focused on the dual-clutch transmission, which, like a similar system in the Volkswagen Golf GTi, promises near-constant power delivery with a seamless shift system that has gears constantly in mesh for instant up-changes and down-changes.The DCT gearbox promises to make the M3 faster and easier to drive, but it will come with a price penalty. And no one from the company is talking about its timing or any other details.But BMW Australia says, indirectly, the M3 convertible is coming and should be ready for the road within six months.“From an Australian perspective, the convertible has been part of the M3 line-up in the past,” BMW Australia spokesman Toni Andreevski says.“We would be very confident about introducing a convertible again. An M3 convertible would slot nicely into the line-up. It was a successful seller for us, in Australia and worldwide, in the previous generation.”In the previous generation, convertible sales outstripped the four-door sedan.The M3 coupe is already a sell-out in Australia with a three-month waiting list, but BMW is pushing hard to get existing M3 owners into new cars and also to win converts to the V8-powered pocket rocket.“We have quite a large customer base for the M3 in Australia. It's more than 2000 people. If you add up all the rivals, they only come to about 600,” Andreevski says.“The M3 coupe is sold out until about April or May. So that is another three or four months' wait for deliveries.”And it will be supply, not demand, that will set the final sales figure for 2008. “We will probably do somewhere between 300 and 400. That's what we'll get,” Andreevski says.That number will rise to more than 500 cars in 2009 with the arrival of the sedan, convertible and M DCT gearbox, even if Andreevski will not reveal any firm details.“They would be add-ons. That would be extra volume,” he says. “We think there will be healthy demand for a four-door M3. But we are still going through the business case at the moment. If we go ahead, the first cars could arrive by the end of this year.” 

BMW's baby could be going racing. As the powerful new 135i with a 225kW/400Nm 3-litre, bi-turbo inline six is due to reach Australia next year.

Well, just as you began scraping a deposit for the 135i, here’s another bit of history; a four door M3.Now take a look at these first pics of the sedan sibling of the coupe that was launched locally only last week.You only need to go back a few generations to find the last M3 sedan (or saloon as the Germans will call it) and even then the E36 never made it to these shores. Which makes the fact that BMW Australia are looking at the business case for this one so intriguing.Naturally, like the coupe, it packs BMW’s all-new 4.0-litre V8 developing maximum output of 309 kW and 400 Nm at 3,900 rpm. It is 15 kg lighter than the last of its inline six-cylinder forebears.The saloon gets to 100 km/h from standing in a claimed 4.9 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. In the EU test cycle, it returned 12.4 litres of premium unleaded per 100 kilometres.“Essentially the M3 sedan has all the awesome parts of the M3 coupe but with two more doors and so more practicality,” BMW Australia spokesman Toni Andreevski says.“We’ve never had an M3 sedan before so that’s why we’re taking our time to consider it. It would be some 12 months before it arrived.”By that time, the new sports coupe and sedan might have acquired the latest generation sequential manual gearbox. While SMG-equipped M3s comprised the great majority of E46 series sales, the new car currently has the non-option of (a rather good, actually) six-speed manual.But a conventional clutch pedal is something of turn off in these lazy and shiftless times.“The M3 won’t get a traditional auto,” Andreevski says.“BMW pioneered the sequential manual and so our engineers are working on some kind of automated gearbox.”If the four door model does make it this way, it would likely be a niche model, if BMW’s experience with the acclaimed 335i series is any guide. So far in 2007, they’ve shifted 652 of the shapely 335i coupe, making it the best selling 3 Series coupe, as opposed to 255 of the equivalent sedan.The likely arrival late next year of Lexus's first compact sports saloon, the 5.0 litre V8 IS-F, might tip BMW's hand. 

The 3 Series sedan, Touring (wagon) and Coupe all get the treatment to enhance buyers' choice. The M Sports package offered on the 3 Series Coupe is for drivers who want to get some of the reflected glory of the potent M3 model. Yet the M Sports pack is not just dress-up; it promises extra grip through larger wheels and tyres and lowered, sports suspension. The M Sports pack is available on the BMW Coupes in 323i, 325i and the exciting twin-turbo 335i versions at a premium of $6200, $4700 and $2600. The price varies because of the standard equipment on those models. The M Sports pack has asymmetric 18-inch diameter wheels. These are 8J wide for the front with 225/40 tyres, while at the rear the wheels are 8.5J and are fitted with 255/35 tyres. An option is 19-inch alloys; 8J at the front with 225/35 tyres and 9J at the rear with 255/35 tyres. The sports suspension, which is part of the pack, lowers the Coupe by 15mm. The M Sports pack brings a more aggressive design to the front of the Coupe, including larger intakes. It has sideskirts and distinctive rear bumper panels to aid aerodynamics. Inside, the pack adds sports seats to give greater lateral support when cornering and a leather-clad steering wheel with leather touches on the shift lever and handbrake. The M Sports pack can be ordered on BMW 3 Series Coupes from November. An Individual Luminance Edition is available on 3 Series sedans; bringing special exterior paint and higher levels of luxury. Seats and door inserts have Merino (cattle) leather. Sports seats and luxury steering wheel add to the package, which costs $7500. The Individual Luminance can be ordered on all 3 Series sedans; 320i, 320d, 323i, 325i and 335i.  

The brain's logical left lobe would probably dictate a highly specced and relentlessly reliable Japanese model.The riotous right side might love something Latin.Call it a feeling from the gut, then, but some part of you simply must have a badge featuring either a blue-and-white roundel or a three-pointed star. Or even four rings.Never mind that they're almost always over-priced for the package on offer and about as suited to Australian roads as Beethoven to a Shannon Noll audience, but we seem unable to get enough of the wares offered by BMW, Mercedes-Benz and increasingly, Audi.Which is just as well, given that there will be releases from all three marques this month.June marks the opening salvo of a second-half-of-'07 product offensive on three fronts, using every type of armament at the makers' disposal; from diesel hatchbacks through high-end sports machines to ferociously powerful SUVs.In popular terms, the most significant of these is the new-generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class.The W204 series arrives next month with the four-cylinder Kompressors, V6 petrols and two diesel models.A six-cylinder purchase gets you a seven-speed auto transmission, but the fours make do with five speeds.Hard to say where the pricing will sit at this point, though a slight increase on the current model is possible.A more dynamic driving experience is promised, something to which Merc's Agility Control system is central.Indications from the world launch in Spain are that Mercedes' best-selling product has achieved that stated aim within a veneer of sexier, or slightly less conservative, styling.Of course, this launch took place on European roads, not our Australian tarmacs.The vastly improved new Smart fortwo coupe and cabrio arrive in November, to the delight of at least several hundred people.Between then and now, though, comes something altogether more potent.The ML 500 SUV and R 500 MPV cop a 285kW V8, up 60kW on the hardly deficient current version.These should be among us by early October, along with a 320 CDI model of the S-Class, marrying the marque's superb V6 diesel to its luxury limo.BMW fires two shots; one small-calibre, the other medium, from its locker this month.The One Series evokes mixed reactions but a coupe version is due next year and the five-door hatch receives a new four-cylinder diesel engine, minor inside and out facelifts and mechanical upgrades for greater efficiency.The updated Five Series gets new front and rear bumpers, restyled headlights and tail lights with LED.Better yet, it gets a quicker-shifting six-speed automatic tranny, controlled by the electronic gear selector from the X5 off-roader.The 530i Sedan and Touring gain 10kW of power and 15Nm of torque for totals of 200kW and 315Nm, and smarter 0-100km/h times throughout the range.New Seven Series Executive and Sport models arrive next month, but the lip-smacking becomes deafening in the fourth quarter with the new M3 coupe.Forsaking the straight six, this fourth-gen M3 packs an all-new, 309kW/400Nm V8 of four litres.Driven by the rear wheels (of course) through a six-speed-manual, it promises acceleration to 100km/h in only 4.8sec.The M3 is billed as the first production vehicle in its segment to feature a carbon fibre-reinforced roof; an innovation to save weight and lower the centre of gravity.Audi's counter-offensive begins next week with the local release of its S3 hot hatch and a ragtop version of the TT. Expected to outsell its hard-hat cousin, the open TT dispenses with the coupe's comedy back pews, increasing its boot space.Nor does it command an unreasonable premium over the coupe, with the front-drive 2.0 TFSI starting at $77,500, the V6 quattro at $92,900. But the roadster's sole transmission is the manual-matic S-tronic.No such pandering for the S3, which unites a creamy six-speed manual with quattro. And how all-wheel drive is needed.Hosting a rebuilt and “up-gunned” version of the VW Golf GTI's two-litre, direct-injection turbo four, the S3 can call upon a V6-daunting 188kW and 330Nm. At an estimated $65,000, it will come in cheaper than the top-whack, but decidedly lesser, A3.If the S3 is a genuine Q-car (there being little to visually distinguish it from Audi's milder hatches), there's no denying the latest Q7.Due in November and priced from $124,000, the already imposing SUV packs a turbine-like 4.2 TDI, a turbo diesel dreadnought that generates 240kW at 3750rpm and a warping 760Nm between 1800 and 2500rpm.As Wagnerian as it is, its thunder may be stolen as early as October. Not so much by the A5 and S5 (touring coupes with Walter da Silva style and nice engine notes) but the R8 sports car.Though it will be priced in the region of $270,000, you won't be able to buy one for ages, even if you have the readies.Audi has been taking orders for the instantly desirable, mid-engined V8 quattro two-seater since it was unveiled at last year's Sydney Motor Show.That car evokes a profound response from a region lower even than the gut.

As Australia's new car juggernaut rolls on towards the magic million sales mark, the number of available models continues to swell. Already recognised as one of the most diverse and competitive car markets in the world, Australian importers continue to add to the mix.With half the year nearly gone, buyers have taken almost 500,000 new vehicles into their garages with some of the traditional biggest selling months still to come.At least three new marques will arrive in Australian showrooms in the second half of  the year; Hummer, Mahindra and Skoda,  testament to the vibrancy of what is, in world terms, a minor market.However, it is the expanding model range within existing brands that will drive the Aussie market over the million mark for the first time.Over the next six months more than 50 new or revised models will arrive in Australian new car showrooms. Here's a look at what's coming soon:ASTON MARTINDip your lid in style in September with the V8 Roadster, a gorgeous extension of the Vantage. AUDI Audi starts its end-of-year program in September with the R8, the biggest, baddest Audi in the garage The Supercar looks with enough performance to keep most on their toes. Also on the cards for October is the A5, Audi's first coupe since the TT. An all-new platform which comes as a front-wheel-drive and quattro. In November the V8 4.2 TDi may answer some questions for the Q7, including on fuel economy. BMW You'll have to wait until October for the new M3, but the latest offering from the M garage has something special. It's the first V8 for an M3. CHRYSLER A Sebring convertible, topless cousin of the sedan launched in early 2007, arrives in December. DODGE The Nitro SUV joins the Caliber for Dodge next month and the US marque backs that up with its Avenger sedan in August. FIAT The baby Ritmo, sold as the Bravo in Europe, will be Fiat's second passenger offering in Australia when it lands in October. Expect petrol and diesel. FORD The rush to oil-burners continues with the Focus getting the honour of being Ford's first passenger diesel next month before the Focus CC, the drop-top concept that set hearts aflutter at Frankfurt two years ago lands in October. The other big news for Ford is the return in November of the Mondeo for a third tilt at Australia. HOLDEN The key second-half model from the General is the VE Ute, bringing all the developments in the VE sedan to the working man's Holden. HONDA The Civic Type-R is razor-sharp styling built around a high-revving fun package. Next month. HUMMER The iconic offroader from the land of the large truck opens its Aussie account in October, a couple of months later than anticipated as a result of production delays for the H3. Surprisingly agile with real offroad ability. HYUNDAI An important second-half for the Korean marque. It starts with the popular Santa Fe SUV finally getting the 3.3-litre V6 from the Sonata to give it some extra punch. In October, the new Elantra hatch joins the sedan in the Aussie line-up after a wait of almost 12 months. JAGUAR An October styling refresh for the marque's luxury sedan, the XJ, is all from the Big Cat this year before a big 2008. JEEP The second of Jeep's non-Rubicon Trail-rated soft-roaders arrives in August to join the Compass for duty around town. KIA The Carens compact people mover has never really taken off here. The new generation is a little bigger and more stylish. It will be powered by a four-cylinder petrol or diesel engine with five- or seven-seat capacity. On sale in October. LAND ROVERThe baby Freelander gets a complete makeover for this generational change. New engines and a new family look all go on show in July. MAHINDRAIndia's workhorse ute, the Pik-Up, starts to roll out to Australia in July. MAZDA A new generation and a new look for the little Mazda2. Sharper styling is the key to this one's October debut. At the same time Mazda will add a diesel option to its top-selling Mazda3 range. MERCEDES-BENZThe key model for Mercedes this year is the meat-and-potatoes C-Class. Bigger, brighter and ready to meet the masses it is available from July. Also on Mercedes' new-model list is an upgraded ML500 and R-Class in September, both getting the 285kW V8 engine. October is a big month for the three-pointed star with the crackingCL65 AMG (a bi-turbo V12 with 450kW and 1000Nm) and the more sociable S320 CDi, which marries diesel with uber-luxury. MITSUBISHI You have to love a fighter. Australia's “other” family car, the 380, wins a minor refresh with some interior updates from next month. In August the automatic turbo diesel, traditionally the model's top seller, completes the Triton range while in October the point guard for the red-hot Evo X (due late in the year), the new Lancer, promises look-at-me-styling and more punch than the current model. NISSANThe baby Micra finally gets the green light for Australia with an October date with sales. In November the X-Trail, a core model for Nissan and the compact SUV that set the benchmark for those who actually can go off-road, gets a full generational change. The Dualis arrives in December. A softer option to the X-Trail, it sits on a similar platform but is more plush. PEUGEOT It's all about size for the French manufacturer. In July the 207CC, the previous generation of which set the standard for accessorising small cars, is back and promising to reclaim the crown. Its far more focused and athletic sibling, the GTi arrives in August with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine. The station wagon derivative of the base 207 goes on sale in October. PORSCHEThe 911 turbo cabriolet proves Porsche's belief that if you can go fast in a sedan you should be able to go just as fast in a cabriolet. In September you can prove it for yourself. RENAULT August sees the Megane diesel join the Renault fleet, while the Clio Sport returns in November in an all-new guise. SAAB The new 9-3 will highlight Saab's first all-wheel-drive system in a completely renewed model range. All models arrive in November. SKODA Launches into Australia with a two-pronged attack in October. The Octavia medium-sized hatch and the quaintly named Roomster compact MPV will carry the flag initially. SMARTIn September the next next-generation smart ForTwo arrives, a little bigger and a little smarter. SUBARU The new Impreza is one of the most polarising styling departures of the year. In basic and WRX fettle the hatch arrives in September. A cult car heads mainstream and the jury is out. SUZUKIIf it ain't broke ... A freshen-up for the car that put punch back in Suzuki's local range, the brilliant Swift is in showrooms in October with the sedan version of the SX4 “tall hatch” joining the stable in September. TOYOTA The first product from Toyota's new “hot shop”, the Aurion TRD, arrives in August with a 3.5-litre supercharged V6 with sports manners and a load of plastic kit. Also in August is the generational change for Kluger with the SUV getting a substantial facelift and the 3.5-litre V6 from the Aurion. November brings the Landcruiser 200 Series and a TRD version of the HiLux. VOLVO The highlight for the Swedes in the second half of the year is the all-new generation of the XC70 due in November. About the same time the C30 will get the in-line five-cylinder diesel. VW A hot version of the Passat, the R36, is heading Down Under in November.