The 1-Series is about to get an M performance variant of its own pretty soon, but up until now more performance has had to come from customization.

Parkview BMW, a BMW dealer in Ontario, liked the M3 GTS so much that they decided to create their own mini-model based on the 1-Series.

The most noticeable similarity would have to be the same stunning Fire Orange paint that really set the M3 GTS apart. It is also paired with similar black alloy rims.

Of course, it wouldn’t be complete without other modifications as well and Parkview BMW is happy to oblige. The car gets a a complement of BMW Performance Parts, including an body kit, carbon fiber rear diffuser, mirror caps, spoilers and roof.

Inside, the carbon fiber accents continue, along with an Alcantara steering wheel, M gear shift knob and aluminum pedals.

As far as performance modifications to the engine, whether or not the dealer did that has not been made certain. We do know it certainly looks the part though. You can check out more over at 1-Series fan site 1Addicts.

However, if given the choice, we would definitely take the M3 GTS over the Frozen Gray. Unfortunately, we don’t have that choice – the M3 GTS wasn’t sold on our shores. The GTS is a hardcore racing model that takes the existing M3 and ups the performance ante even further.

That is evident in the car’s lap time around the ring, which at 7 minutes and 48 seconds, comes in at a full 17 seconds faster than the stock M3. However, while much faster than a stock M3, that figure is still down significantly on the times set by the Nissan GT-R and Porsche 911 GT3. You can check out a video of the M3 GTS’s Nurburgring run here. Some of the new pictures released by BMW are shown below.

While that might be changing a bit with cars like the X1 being added, for the most part it rings true. The BMW M3 takes that even further, by any measure an impressive performance vehicle.

BMW took the formula a step further with the orange, overseas market-only M3 GTS. Now comes speculation that BMW could be even going beyond that, with an M3 GTS-R.

If a power bump, upgraded suspension and braking system, aerodynamics tweaks and a dieting program for the sold-out M3 GTS wasn’t enough for you, more could be coming.

More as in more weight reductions and more power, as well as further changes to the bodywork – maybe even a production implementation of the Formula One KERS regenerative braking system. While orange is the signature color of the M3 GTS, the GTS-R would be in Stealth Frozen matte black.

This informationisn’t official, but is on good word from a source at BMW website M3Post. The poster says “it’s called saying goodbye (to the E92 M3) in spectacular fashion.” Indeed!

BMW has released not one, but two videos showing the car doing a bit of track time. The first was just a teaser. Unfortunately, the car isn’t slated to come to the United States. Oh BMW, you do tease! I’ve included new high-resolution versions of the previously released GTS images in addition to the videos. Enjoy!

]]> http://www.carthrottle.com/video-bmw-m3-gts/feed/ 0 http://www.carthrottle.com/bmw-m3-gts-released/ http://www.carthrottle.com/bmw-m3-gts-released/#comments Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:13:58 +0000 Tony http://www.carthrottle.com/?p=11945 A lot has been going on at BMW’s M Performance division with everything centered around the 25th anniversary of the BMW M5 sedan. A BMW M5 CSL special performance variant was recently introduced (not for public consumption though). This car is a little bit different though.

Just recently the rumor mill started to grind about a special performance variant of the M3, to be dubbed “CSL:’. While the new car isn’t a CSL (try GTS) the speculation proved to be spot on.

Can the the orange color be called “pumpkin”? Halloween was just last weekend, after all. The M3 GTS sets its sights firmly on the Porsche 911 GT3, with prototype variants of the car supposedly lapping the Nurburgring in only 7 minutes and 40 seconds.

As to changes -- there is a whole lot of them. The GTS is equipped with 19-inch competition alloy rims, six-piston brake calipers in the front and four in the rear.

Bodywork has been changed to be more aggressive, with a splitter in the front and out back, a rear wing (which I am not a fan). The suspension is also adjustable now, and fitted with yellow springs.

Inside, the M3 GTS has a lot of changes versus the standard car. Mounting points for a rollcage and six point harnesses, an emergency cut-off switch, bucket racing seats and a fire extinguisher are the additions. Air conditioning, navigation system and radio? All gone.

Along with a Macrolon replacement for the rear windshield, the changes bring weight on the M3 GTS down to 3285 lbs from the 3704 pounds of the stock M3.

Official engine specifications have yet to be released -- they should be quite impressive. As expected, the M3 GTS won’t be cheap -- or readily available either.

If you’re in the United States and interested in buying one from BMW, you’re out of luck -- the M3 GTS seems to be a German home market car only.

The car goes on sale in May 2010, at a price of 115,000 euros (around $170,000 USD at current exchange rates). Ouch! That is one expensive M3. They won’t have to find too many buyers for it though -- reports have pegged the GTS as being limited to 25 units per year.

To go along with some of the initial details on the M3 GTS, BMW created a short promotional video. It doesn’t contain any footage of the car in action though unfortunately.

The current crop of pictures is sparse and not very well detailed -- high-resolution photos and a full information drop with specifications should be coming soon.