http://jalopnik.com/cars/news/you-wi...-m3-246183.php

Peak = 420 HP @ 8300RPM, 295 lb-ft @ ??

According to the magazine, those are apparently the official numbers. Seems like impressive power for a small displacement V8. 3.6 V8 in Ferrari 360 Modena I think was 400HP, 275 lb-ft. It may not satisfy most big torque fans on this site, but I bet it will be a fun high RPM screamer.

I just wonder if that is enough to keep it signiifcantly faster than the easy to mod 335i. Or does the "M" badge conquer all? IE, even if a 335i is quicker 0-60, its still not an "M" car.

 

The F360 Modena may not seem fast until it is unleashed in a roadcourse. The gearing in those cars is extremely aggresive too. I'd take an F1 360 Stradale over any car right now if I wanted to do some serious roadracing.

I used to think those high revving V8s were nothing, but now I understand why they choose this route. They aren't making drag racers, they are making roadrace type cars.

I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

 

If you can get past the 'M' specific bodywork and trim, with some suspension tuning, engine tuning (up the boost), and bigger brakes, you'll run even with a new M3 without any trouble in a 335i. They are on the same chassis, so anything you can do to the M, should be able to be replicated on the 335i.

But, it won't be an 'M', and for a lot of guys with the money to burn, that's what matters.

I sold my modified 328Ci (sport package) for an M3, stock for stock, there wasn't a huge handling difference. The M was more powerful, but they were about even handling wise even after equivalent suspension work was done on both.

 

A few more details and pics:

http://www.leftlanenews.com/bmw-deta...epower-v8.html

295 lb-ft peak is at 3900 rpm, 251 lb-ft at 2000 rpm. RPM limit is 8300 rpm! Its lighter than the old I-6 and will have 8 individual throttle bodies. Also mentions energy regeneration with an intelligent alternator? Never heard any rumors of a feature like that. Pretty cool

 

Thats going to have a sick howl to it..

Ever follow a M5 with the V10? Even my wife can tell something special is under the hood, because the way it sounds, ripping towards redline.

 

I like it. Not too sure about the openings in the hood. I hope their functional. I definately like the 335i

 

295 tq? Seems pretty week for a car like the M3, even if 85% of that is available at 2000 rpm. 420 HP sounds good until you realize that it's at 8300 rpm! Sounds like a glorified Honda engine to me. High revving, but lacking in guts. I don't mean to say that it is a bad engine. I'll be extremely interested to see its fuel economy and it's straight line acceleration.

Dan

 

I'm sure it'll be geared (both tranny and diff) well enough to make that kind of a powerband work. The old M3 was.

 

I agree, which will make the fuel economy number interesting, hence my comment.

Dan