Limited Edition BMW M3 CRT

Limited Edition BMW M3 CRT: "

The CRT in BMW M3 CRT doesn’t stand for old-school cathode ray tube, it means Carbon Racing Technology, and while I regretfully have to say that we in the States will not be getting any of the 67 units slated for construction, here’s a short run down of what we’ll be missing.

The premise of the CRT follows in step with the also-limited BMW M3 GTS. But the big difference here lies with the CRT’s usage of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). This material is light weight and strong and represents the holy grail of sports car construction materials. In this even more limited version of the M3, it will be utilized in the hood, seats, front splitter and rear spoiler.

The hood, made of up an cellular carbon honeycomb core wrapped in CFRP, weighs 75% less and is just as strong as the standard 3-series steel unit, and weighs even 50% less than the M3’s aluminum piece! Balancing out the huge weight loss program up front is a titanium muffler out back.

Speaking of the back, the rear seats have been modeled after the front seats; the three-seat bench is replaced by dual-buckets. Anybody that rides in them will be able to drool at the sight of the back of front seats made out of the same CFRP wrapped cellular honeycomb wrapped as the hood.

Combined with selective use of sound deadening material, the CRT weighs an estimated 100 pounds less than a standard M3 sedan. This weight loss program has resulted in a new weight balance of about 52% front and 48% rear versus 50% front and rear for the stock M3 sedan.

The CRT is powered by the same tuned 4.4-liter V-8 engine as the M3 GTS. It produces 444 hp at 8300 rpm and 325 lb-ft of torque at 3750 rpm. Individual throttle bodies help the engine breath while in-cylinder ion current detection through the spark plug is used for optimum knock prevention. Power is routed to the rear wheels by BMW’s seven speed dual clutch transmission. Placed on it’s most aggressive setting, an automated launch control system activates.

Keeping the light weight chassis and 245/35R-19 front and 265/35R-19 rears under control are compression and rebound adjustable dampers at all four corners, and the rear subframe mounts have been stiffened. Compared to the relatively stock tire package, huge six-piston fixed calipers and 14.9 inch vented rotors up front and 15.0 inch vented rotors in the rear slow the car down.

Visibly, the M3 CRT features unique Frozen Polar Silver metallic paint with Melbourne Red metallic trim pieces all around the car. On the inside, you’ve got your M3 Alcantara steering wheel and two-tone leather seating surfaces. While this color combination wouldn’t be my first pick, I’ll reserve judgement until I can see one in real life.

Related posts:

1. BMW Official Confirms: There Will Be No BMW M3 Pickup
2. New Lightweight BMW M3 Exhaust
3. BMW M3 Coupe: Double-Clutch Perfection

"

Source: Google Reader