Ultimatecarpage.com update (04-09-07)

[Wouter Melissen]

Dear Ultimatecarpage.com visitor,

Hardly a month after the 'M3 Concept' broke cover at Geneva, BMW released the first information of the E92 M3 production car. As was speculated, the six cylinder marvel found in the previous two M3 generations has now been replaced by a four litre V8. This engine was first used in the M3 in the GTR racing version of the E46 model. Time will tell whether the new M3 is the performance benchmark its predecessors have been for years. At around the same time, BMW's rivals from Stuttgart took the wraps off the rather more extreme and limited edition Mercedes Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series. Judging from its performance and body-kit, it is a second generation 'CLK DTM' in all but its name.
First handed out last year, the Louis Vuitton Classic Award is given to the 'best' classic car that took a best in show in one of a series of events in Europe and the United States. After the 2005 Pebble winning Delage D8 taking the first LVC Award last year, the second edition was won by this fabulous 250 GT California Spyder. The stunning machine is currently in the caring hands of marque expert Marcel Massini in preparation for next week's Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este where it is one of the big contenders for the prizes. Of course we will be on the scene to capture all of the action of this highly exclusive concours.
In an attempt to get double the power using existing parts, Vittorio Jano installed two engines side by side to form the quite remarkable Alfa Romeo Tipo A Monoposto. It was raced throughout the 1931 season, but was more often than not slowed down with technical problems. Using the lessons learned, Jano then went on to design the Tipo B or P3 for 1932, considered by many as one of the finest Grand Prix machines ever made.
Next weekend the Gulf colours will be prominently featured during the Monza 1000km; the opening round of the 2007 Le Mans Series. Sporting the legendary livery this season is the Zytek 07S/2 of Barazi Epsilon racing, which impressed straight out of the box at Paul Ricard two weeks ago.

Enjoy the links:

Alfa Romeo Tipo A Monoposto
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=3192

BMW E92 M3 Coupe
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=3193

Chevrolet Beat Concept
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=3189

Chevrolet Groove Concept
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=3188

Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spyder
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=2176

Honda S2000 CR Prototype
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=3197

Mercedes Benz CLK 63 AMG Coupe Black Series
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=3194

Zytek 07S/2
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=3198

Regards,
Wouter Melissen

[Pando]

Any word why BMW decided to go for a V8? Was it just another case of it had to be "bigger" and "better" than the last one?

[henk4]

Any word why BMW decided to go for a V8? Was it just another case of it had to be "bigger" and "better" than the last one?

they wanted (needed?) more power and the 6 was at its end....

[Ferrer]

Any word why BMW decided to go for a V8? Was it just another case of it had to be "bigger" and "better" than the last one?

Think of it as an M5 V10 with two cylinders less. I'm sure that made development a lot easier/cheaper. I'd have prefered a new six (or maybe one based in the current six cylinder block of the non M cars), but manufacturers always want to save the most money possible.

[Pando]

It's still weird to think of V8 M3's... Does that mean the next M5 will be a V12?

[Wouter Melissen]

It's still weird to think of V8 M3's... Does that mean the next M5 will be a V12?

They raced the M3 GTR with this V8 for several seasons.

[Ferrer]

They raced the M3 GTR with this V8 for several seasons.

But this was a relatively unknown model, at least to Europeans.

[Pando]

They raced the M3 GTR with this V8 for several seasons.

Good point.

[Wouter Melissen]

But this was a relatively unknown model, at least to Europeans.

It won the Nurburgring 24 Hours at least once.

[Ferrer]

It won the Nurburgring 24 Hours at least once.

Yes but the low number of road going cars produced, no mediatic win to brag about, not properly homologated in its class in Europe either...

If Pando didn't remember it, it could also be the case with many other people.

[Wouter Melissen]

Yes but the low number of road going cars produced, no mediatic win to brag about, not properly homologated in its class in Europe either...

If Pando didn't remember it, it could also be the case with many other people.

Yeah I believe one to four road cars were built.