The BMW M3 GTR Is Even Rarer Than We Thought: Video

We’ve at all times been beneath the impression that BMW constructed 10 road-going M3 GTRs for patrons. Even the official M web site says so, itemizing an astronomical €250,000 price ticket. Nonetheless, the street-legal model turned out to be even rarer. Apparently, solely three production-ready automobiles had been made. The opposite seven had been improvement prototypes, all of which had been scrapped. The surviving automobiles belong to BMW’s official fleet, making the M3 GTR really unobtainable.

Tom Plucinsky, Head of BMW Group Traditional USA, provides us a tour of the elusive Strassenversion on the Petersen Automotive Museum. It’s a uncommon probability to climb right into a cabin with seating for simply two. The 2003 M3 CSL stored its rear bench, however the 2001 GTR went on an excellent stricter food regimen. Regardless of packing a bigger engine, the last word E46 ended up lighter at 1,350 kg (2,976 lbs); about 35 kg (77 lbs) lower than the CSL.

One other main distinction lies between the 2 Recaro bucket seats. Whereas the CSL was bought solely with the SMG II transmission, the GTR got here with a six-speed guide. The V8’s 346 hp and 365 Nm (269 lb-ft) had been despatched to the rear axle by way of a two-disc motorsport clutch and a variable limited-slip differential.

We’re advised the three avenue automobiles have completely different seats and barely altered interiors. Eagle-eyed readers will discover the “M3 GTR” plaque on the facet sills and a Euro-spec steering wheel. In any other case, it’s largely an ordinary E46 M3 affair. Effectively, apart from trunk reinforcements that strengthen the rear. With simply 500 miles (800 kilometers) on the clock, this instance is a real time capsule, explaining its immaculate situation.

Developed in simply 12 months, the M3 GTR stood out from the usual mannequin with a carbon fiber rear wing, trunk lid spoiler, redesigned bumpers, hood vents, and an uncovered carbon fiber roof. Its centerpiece was the precise race automotive engine, albeit in restricted type—the P60B40, a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter beating coronary heart with a flat-plane crankshaft and dry sump lubrication.

We don’t get to see the GTR in movement, however it certainly should be one of many rawest M3s ever constructed by BMW. The phrase “race automotive for the street” could also be overused, however on this case, it suits completely.

Video: Petersen Automotive Museum / YouTube