Teaming with Rahal Letterman Racing, BMW revealed a new BMW race car based on the M3 coupe that will take the German automaker back to the American Le Mans Series beginning later this year, with a full two-car championship assault for the 2009 season.
Powered by a 485-horsepower V8 engine, the racing version of the new BMW M3 has been modified in every respect to maximize the potential of the M3 package on the race track. Extensive use of carbon-reinforced plastic (CRP), the same material used for the roof of the production car, results in a substantial weight savings. The race car weighs in at just over 2,500 pounds. CRP components include front fenders, hood, trunk lid, rear wing, front spoiler and wheel arches.
Rahal Letterman Racing is co-owned by Bobby Rahal, Indy 500 winner and racing legend. ?BMW has an illustrious racing heritage. Rahal Letterman Racing is eagerly anticipating, not only becoming part of that heritage, but helping to enhance it. Our dedication to this project will be without equal and we look forward to racing at the front of the grid with BMW in the years to come,? said an enthusiastic Rahal.
Modifications to the M3?s 4.0-liter V8 engine take the stock 414-horsepower powerplant up to approximately 485 horsepower; it gets paired with a 6-speed sequential racing transmission and carbon-fiber racing clutch. The chassis is race-tuned and a welded safety cell made from extremely rigid precision steel tubing is added for both safety and strength for racing. For improved braking, six-piston aluminum calipers with 15-inch discs are used in front and four-piston calipers with 13.1-inch discs at the rear sit inside 18-inch aluminum wheels.
Concept 1-Series tii
With the new 1-Series Coupe and Convertible coming to the U.S. market in 2008, BMW produced a concept car based on the 135i Coupe that recreates the legendary tii from the 1970s. First shown to the public at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, BMW describes the Concept tii as offering an uncompromising focus on motorsport following BMW?s tradition of compact, light and extremely sporty coupes.
As with the M3 race car, CRP components are used to reduce weight, including the hood, mirrors and front air intake inlays. The aerodynamics of the body are optimized with a distinctive front air dam, side sills, gurney flaps and fins on the hood that are a tribute to the 3.0 CSL race car from the 1970s.
Completed in traditional BMW colors of Alpine White with contrasting dark elements from the CRP components and blue accents, the Concept tii will not be produced as a stand-alone version, but components from the concept may be offered on the 1-Series.
Alcantara is used extensively inside, including the door panels, dash, seats, steering wheel and gear shift knob to minimize reflections and maximize grip for the driver. The tachometer is finished in white to accentuate the importance of that instrument, and the steering wheel spokes are also white to carry the exterior color theme to the inside.
