I hope they build the camaro quick, a hot but expensive V8 M3 is coming.

 

Well, the M3 is a Corvette priced car (actually starts MORE expensive than a Vette, I believe, even in the current form with the 333 hp I6). I doubt this new M3 will be any cheaper.

Point being, it isn't exactly a competitor for the Camaro (in the marketplace).

I wonder how heavy it will be... if it inches up to 3600 lbs or more, it could become quite similar to a Camaro in performance. But I don't think the Camaro will carry the $50K+ price tag that this M3 surely will.

 

Just hope i can blow em off like i do now...

 

 

CTS-V = 400hp
M3 = 425hp
IS460/500 (not a for sure thing yet) = ~400hp
I'm wondering if Audi is going to step up to the plate with the S4? It shouldn't be too hard as I can't remember exactly how it works but the 4.2L V8 in there is basically a detuned exotic motor (I think belonging in the lambo family). It's making 340hp right now which is closer to the base-line output of the IS350 than it is to the sportier models.

 

The 4.2L is all Audi. The new 2.5L 5cly VW engine is based upon the 5L Gallardo V10. The new S8 is powered by a 5.2L V10, which is very closely related to the Gallardo. (bored out, retuned for more low end torque)

Audi has an RS4 coming to North America. It makes 414hp witha 4.2L

In any case I really don't care about the M3. I'll never own one and never have a ride in one. BMW keeps making its cars more exspensive. Alot more then previous editions. I don't agree with that philosphy.

 

The old M3 was an awesome car, I got to drive a 2002. If it was $30,000 I probably would have bought one (before I needed a truck). That said the GTO is damn close to a 2002-2005 M3 for $20,000 less and with more HP and even more torque.

It would be nice to see the Camaro be faster for less money, even though the two don't really compete for sales.

 

I like the GTO and I like the M3. IMO, the GTO is no M3 though.

 

I don't see the M3 as competition for the Camaro at all. For two major reasons.

1. it's limited production. As far as we know the Camaro can get a LE version with 500 hp

2. It's in a different price braket. I't like comparing a Mustang GT to a Corvette performance wise. pretty unfair because at the price of the vette, they can afford to make more power and have better suspension, etc.


As far as the M3 competing with the vette, I think it will be a good comparison. However I think the new vette with Z51 option should stack up well against it. GM has learned a thing or two from the C5R and C6R.

 

I agree. But the GTO is one hell of a car.

 

I drove them about 2 years a part, so as far as ride and handling goes, I don't know, but then it comes to interior, # of doors, and power, the first thing I thought when driving the GTO was "this is the closest thing to an M3 I've driven yet" On the corners, I imagine the CTS-V is the car with the suspension the GTO should have if it wants to be a real "90% M3".

 

Sure it is. But, the GTO feels way more like a Charger R/T than an M3 to me. In fact, my personal opinion is that the GTO and M3 aren't even very compareable at all.

 

Yeah, compare a M3 to a CTS-V all day long... they're meant to compete, but trying to compare the GTO to the M3 is like trying to compare a Mustang GT to a CTS-V. I don't care how similar their performance numbers are; the CTS-V is just a much more refined, better balanced, and more luxurious car.

 

Will the new M3 follow the recent sports car trend of only left rotors?

 

Another interesting note, the Gallardo's v10 is actually based off the Audi 4.2 v8.