From 12th September, BMW presents the motorsport version of the new BMW 3 Series at the 61st International Motor Show (IAA). From 2006, the car will be competing in the FIA (WTCC) and in many other racing series around the world.

The 275 bhp racing car was developed by BMW Motorsport. It is the racing version of the special model BMW 320si, which will be on offer from BMW dealers as a limited edition from December 2005. Like its production counterpart, the motorsport version of the BMW 320si will be driven by a powerful 2-litre four-cylinder in-line engine. The car complies with the Super 2000 regulations and is 45mm longer and 36mm wider than its predecessor.

With this car BMW will continue the tradition of customer sports in 2006. Apart from the World Touring Car Championship, in which BMW competes with national teams, the successful racing version of the BMW 320i is also racing in Championships in Denmark, Italy, Russia, Sweden and Asia. Until now, more than 100 racing sports kits of the E46 series have been sold to motorsport teams by the BMW racing parts distributors.

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen says, “Touring cars without BMW is unthinkable - and BMW is equally unthinkable without touring cars. This is what made the brand grow, and we will stick to this tradition. Apart from works support we have always been keen to keep racing affordable for our customers and at the same time offer a high-performance package. This tradition is now continued by the racing version of the new BMW 3 Series. I am sure that this model will write further chapters of BMW's successful history.” ...


Source: BMW-Motorsport.com...

And some pics:
http://www.autopower.se/reportage/frankfurt/2005/bilder/800/img_1762.jpg

http://www.autopower.se/reportage/frankfurt/2005/bilder/800/img_1766.jpg

EDIT:

http://www.autopower.se/reportage/frankfurt/2005/bilder/800/img_1768.jpg

http://www.autowereld.com/iaa-frankfurt/Dag%201/42.BMW%203-serie%20in%20WTCC-trim.jpg

http://www.autowereld.com/iaa-frankfurt/Dag%201/41.BMW%203-serie%20in%20WTCC-trim.jpg

Nice, next year should be very interesting 'cause Alfa is always strong, Seat has improved a lot and Chevrolet should make the Lacetti faster for their 2nd year. Nice series ! I can't wait to get the reviews on Speed TV later this year....

For a second there i thought we were talking about BTCC, but man that car looks nice, hopefully they make a road going version :) like the DTM AMG CLK, looks aggressive from the front, got any side read pics? interior/

looks really nice! i love it. but have u any pics of the bk yet? if u do plz post them asap :)

I've put some more pics in the first post

thanks carrocker :rolleyes: looks really gd

it looks really nice and all but im not too sure how crazy i am about a 4-cyl BMW. i liked how all BMW models in the us were at least a 6....

it looks really nice and all but im not too sure how crazy i am about a 4-cyl BMW. i liked how all BMW models in the us were at least a 6....Euuuhhh....the WTCC 320 used to be a 6 cyl. 2.0 liter....but they're going to a 4 cyl. next year, same as the other cars, because with a 6 cyl. their inlet pipe was restricted....They will get better engine performance with the 4 cyl. Rules rule !

Nice but did their interior desginer go missing or something.
I would expect a preimum brand like BMW to make a car safe and light as other cars in its catorgoury and still make them luxury.
From the outside it looks a lot better than the normal 3 sereies.

Pretty neat. That camber on the front wheels is quite intense. Wouldn't that produce uneven tire wear?

the first picture makes it look a bit like the 1 series ya think?

I would expect a preimum brand like BMW to make a car safe and light as other cars in its catorgoury and still make them luxury.

You do know that this is about a RACEcar right?:confused:


That camber on the front wheels is quite intense. Wouldn't that produce uneven tire wear?


It depends per track. And this is only a show model, I'm pretty sure they can adjust the camber.

It depends per track. And this is only a show model, I'm pretty sure they can adjust the camber.

Well, yeah, I assume they can adjust the camber. I was just wondering why they made it so obviously dramatic in thr front.

Because look at an actual race of this category : their front negative camber is actually outrageous !
Nowadays tires are made to work in this manner.

Cool ****.But thew interior wise.I thought BMW will make it luxurious inside.

Cool ****.But thew interior wise.I thought BMW will make it luxurious inside.This is a full race car for the "World Touring Car Championship". All it need to be is bare metal !