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2001-2006 BMW M3 Coup? review
Athletic in style, elegant in looks From the very first sight, the new M3 exudes a sense of superb power, wide and muscular looks, as well as beautiful elegance. With its new front air dam with ellipsoid fog lamps and extra-large cooling air intake scoops, it stands out from all the other models in the BMW 3 Series range. The kidney grille, slightly modified in its position, blends with the new design of the front end. Made of aluminium, the engine compartment lid is approximately 40 per cent lighter than the same unit made of steel plate. A particularly important factor is that despite this reduction in weight the engine compartment lid offers the same stiffness and crash safety as the steel plate unit in the 3 Series Coupe. The interior – sporting and elegant all in one Benefiting from a typical BMW M instrument cluster with special scales on the instruments, the driver has a clear view of all the new M3’s functions. Again in classic BMW M style, the circular dials so typical of BMW have, on this car, red indicator needles. A feature carried over from the M5 is the rev counter with its variable warning zone: Whenever the driver starts the engine cold, orange light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are illuminated as the engine speed reaches 4,000 rpm, they are then extinguished in steps of 500 rpm as oil temperature increases. As soon as there is only one orange and two red LEDs left on, the engine has reached its optimum operating temperature. A further standard feature is the oil temperature display. The newly designed M multifunction steering wheel has a padded, extra-thick rim, M stitching and thumb supports making it not only attractive but also functional. A footrest in aluminium as well as the door cutout strips with the M3 symbol rounds off the special look and style of the car’s interior. The Power Unit of the M3 The power unit featured in the new M3 excels providing its turbine-like power combined with equally outstanding running smoothness and refinement, fortes which have long become the synonym of BMW six-cylinders the world over. Now the new engine adds new meaning to these supreme qualities, introducing the BMW M high-speed features and technology at a standard equipment to that required by the most demanding and sophisticated competition engines in the world, the power units to be found in Formula 1. Outstanding efficiency at all engine speeds and under all loads guarantees superior fuel economy in everyday motoring and a low level of emissions.
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