automotive: BMW M3 GTS Revealed - Lighter, Stronger, Oranger

BMW M-Power has introduced the world to the latest incarnation of the iconic BMW M3. Dubbed the BMW M3 GTS, this race car for the road is everything you ever thought a M3 could be (and maybe more). Cutting to the chase, this is the most hard-core M3 ever to hit the street.

Obviously, the car's bright orange paint-job is the first thing you will notice. But beyond the paint, the BMW M3 GTS features a Schwarzeneggeresque musculature, housing 19-inch wheels covered in 225/35 rubber up front and 285/30 in the rear. Six piston front and four piston rear fixed brake calipers, new yellow M springs, adjustable threaded suspension and adjustable front splitter and rear wing all let you know this is not your every day M3.

Inside, you'll instantly understand that the M3 GTS was not built to be a road car. The interior is stripped with the addition of racing seats with six-point harnesses, mounting points for a roll cage and a fire extinguisher and emergency cut-off switch where you'd expect to find a CD/NAV system.

Finally, the go-fast factor. Yes, the M3 GTS is more powerfull, but before I get to the engine I want to note the car's weight. Thanks to features such as a carbon fiber roof, insulation optimization, various lightweight interior parts and the use of Macrolon for the car's rear windows, the M3 GTS is considerably lighter than it's M3 counterpart. Weighing in at just 3,285 lbs, the GTS is roughly 420 lbs lighter than the standard M3.

So now, couple all the handling goodies, race prepped interior and light weight to a larger, more powerfull engine. The BMW M3 GTS features a 4.4-liter V8 producing 450 horsepower mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. Power to weight works out to be a very impressive 7.3 lbs/hp! As BMW points out, "After all, the aim is to clearly beat the lap time of the legendary M3 CSL on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. And test runs certainly give grounds for optimism."

Look for deliveries of the BMW M3 GTS to start May, 2010 in Germany carrying a price of 115.000 Euro.

UPDATE: Two new videos released of the BMW M3 GTS on the track!