G-POWER M3 E46 with 450 hp – Now the 'old M3' is quicker than the 'new M3'

450 hp for the BMW M3 E46, that's quiet impressive. The G-POWER SK I „SPORTY DRIVE' supercharger system provides the 3.2 l straight cylinder engine from the BMW M GmbH with the necessary boost to push the output from standard 343 hp/365 Nm to awesome 450 hp/460 Nm. 20 inch G-POWER 'SILVERSTONE DIAMOND' alloy wheels with MICHELIN Pilot Sport tyres in the dimensions 245/30 ZR 20 and 285/25 ZR 20, G-POWER coil-over suspension, G-POWER braking system and a stainless steel sport rear muffler featuring the legendary G-POWER 'DEEPTONE' technology complete the G-POWER package for the BMW M3 E46.

G-POWER M3 E46

• 450 hp / 331 kW at 7.000 rpm (+ 107 hp / 79 kW)

• 460 Nm at 5.500 rpm (+ 95 Nm)

• V-max: 300 km/h

• 0-200 km/h: 14,7s

• G-POWER 20'' wheel set SILVERSTONE DIAMOND

• G-POWER stainless steel rear muffler

• G-POWER coil-over suspension GM3-RS

• G-POWER Braking System for front and rear axle

After getting the BMW E46 scene ecstatic with the 550 PS strong G-POWER M3 with integrated 5.0l M5 V10 engine, by the way the only one on the market, G-POWER launches another product for serious performance upgrade for the BMW M3 E46, that will fascinate the M- enthusiasts. Being the leading manufacturer of after market supercharger systems for BMW automobiles it is no surprise that G-POWER naturally relies on forced induction for its new product based on the premium superchargers from ASA.

And the result is awesome! Despite the fact that G-POWER did not go for the expensive compression reducing forged pistons and even the exhaust system stays untouched, reliable 450 hp and 460 Nm of torque could be realized for the BMW M3 E46.

The secret behind this power explosion under the bonnet of the G-POWER M3 E46 is the large ASA T1-518 centrifugal supercharger. By the way, the ASA superchargers are being used in the ALPINA models B5S, B6S and B7 as well, just like the ALPINA B6 GT3 race car, in witch the chargers could state there impressive quality and reliability during several 24th hour race in the 'Green Hell' of the Nürburgring! The exclusive use of components meeting OEM standards is one of the basic elements of the G-POWER philosophy and one of the secrets for the extraordinary quality, reliability and performance of the G-POWER products.

Of course a 107 hp additional power leave its marks at the performance figures. The figure from stand still to 200 km/h improves from standard 18,1 seconds to impressive 14,7 seconds. Not bad for a car that has been introduced almost 10 years ago and now is even quicker than the current 420 hp strong BMW M3 V8 with its 15,8 seconds.

Accompanying measures in regards of wheels, suspension, brakes and exhaust system complete the G-POWER program for the BMW M3 E46.

Together with the 20 inch G-POWER 'SILVERSTONE DIAMOND' alloy wheels set and the MICHELIN Pilot Sport tyres a top speed of more than 300 km/h is achievable. The G-POWER SILVERSTONE alloy wheels have been exclusively designed for the current BMW models. Due to the successful combination of double spokes and the 'concave design' typical of G-POWER they separate the BMW M3 E46 form the rest of the mass production. The G-POWER 'diamond cut' provides for the fascinating dynamic appearance of the G-POWER SILVESTONE rim, in contrast to the silver-graphite coated rim body and the bolt applications of stainless steel. An additional feature of the G-POWER SILVERSTONE rim is its weight-optimised design that allows a low rim weight with the same stability, compared to other standard wheels. A perceptibly improved impression of convenience and a considerably increased agility accompany the minimisation of the unsprung mass: advantages of the G-POWER SILVERSTONE rim, which you can factually experience especially in combination with the low-profile tyres from MICHELIN in the dimension 245/30 ZR 20 and 285/25 ZR 20. Further improvement of the road handling is realized through the continuously height-adjustable G-POWER coil-over suspension RS with nine selectable settings each for bound and rebound.

Of course the negative acceleration is in the focus of G-POWER, as well. Even without output increase, the standard braking system may lose brake force when pushed to the limit, accompanied by a moving braking point, the so called fading effect. The perfect cure against the fading effect is a G-POWER Braking System. With its up to six brake pistons and up to 370 mm brake disc diameter for the front axle and 342 mm for the rear axle, the G-POWER Braking System enables a substantially higher brake force than the standard braking system. At the same time, the heat generated due to the braking process can be dissipated more effectively. The G-POWER brake package is completed by brake pads with a larger pad area, higher friction rate as well as metal-coated brake lines. With this set-up, the G-POWER Braking System always provides maximum brake force and the braking point remains precise in any case.

Not included in the G-POWER SK I „SPORTY DRIVE' supercharger system for the BMW E46 M3, but still worth a second thought, is the G-POWER sports rear muffler. This rear muffler is completely hand made out of stainless steel on the in- and outside and grants for a perfect fit thanks to OEM standard product quality. Though when you fire up the engine and the throaty G-POWER sound emerges the 4 x 76 mm end pipes of the G-POWER sports rear muffler, all those attributes are swept aside. The sound is strong in low revs and is getting more and more aggressive the higher you rev. With this setup the G-POWER sports rear muffler underlines perfectly the significantly increased power of the BMW M3 E46. The patented G-POWER 'DEEPTONE' technology is responsible for this extraordinary sound pattern.

The cost for the 20 inch G-POWER SILVERSTONE DIAMOND complete wheel set incl. MICHELIN Pilot Sport tyres in the dimension 245/30 ZR 20 and 285/25 ZR 20 is 4.422,17 €, the G-POWER coil-over suspension RS is 1.205,88 € and the G-POWER sport rear muffler is 1.079,83 €. The G-POWER braking system for the front axle is 5.800,00 € and 3.860,00 € for the rear axle. The output increase with the help of the G-POWER SK I „SPORTY DRIVE' supercharger system for BMW M3 E46 and Z4M is 7.000,00 € plus the installation.

Since the company's founding in 1983, it has focused solely on the tuning of BMW cars and the production of exclusive, handcrafted vehicles. In 2008, G-POWER was integrated into Group ASA, a year in which both brands celebrated their 25th anniversary. G-POWER is now one of the few globally active and highly reputable suppliers of exclusive cars. In cooperation with development partner ASA, G-POWER has developed unique versions of BMW's most important models, and the world's most powerful versions of each, which clearly sets us apart from our competitors. G-POWER holds five world records:

- Fastest BMW sedan with 730hp G-POWER M5 HURRICANE and a top speed of 360 km/h

- Fastest LPG-powered car with the 660hp G-POWER M5 HURRCANE GS and a top speed of 333 km/h

- Fastest Sedan with the 750hp G-POWER M5 HURRICANE RS on the ATP high-speed oval in Papenburg with a measured top speed of 367.4 km/h. G-POWER exceeded its own record with the 800hp G-POWER M5 HURRICANE RR with a top speed of 372 km/h

- Fastest 4-seater coupe with the 750 hp G-POWER M6 HURRCANE CS and a top speed of 370 km/h

- Fastest SUV with the 750hp G-POWER M5 Touring HURRCANE RS and a top speed of over 360 km/h (governed)

by G-Power

The G-POWER „Efficiency Program' for the M3 supercharger system allows up to 25 % additional output enhancement without additional stress for the engine, without increase in emissions or additional cost

Similar to the BMW AG G-POWER, the number one in supercharging, has performed a complex program for the G-POWER M3 supercharger systems to increase its efficiency. The result shows the long-standing experience and the technical expertise of the G-POWER engineering department. Up to 25 % additional output enhancement (now 100 hp instead of 80 hp output enhancement with M3 SK I 'Sporty Drive' supercharger system) have been achieved due to optimization in detail.

G-POWER SK I, SK II and SK II CS „Sporty Drive' TU supercharger system for BMW M3

• SK I „Sporty Drive' TU supercharger system with 520 PS

• SK II „Sporty Drive' TU supercharger system with 580 PS

• SK II CS „Sporty Drive' TU supercharger system with 610 PS

• Significant output enhancement of up to 190 hp and 190 Nm torque

• Supercharger coming from well-known German brand in OEM quality

• Installation without irremovable modifications to your car

• Up to 25 % additional output enhancement compared to the present supercharger system without surcharge

The 'TU' in the name of the G-POWER SK I, SK II and SK II CS supercharger systems is standing for 'technical update' and it indicates that the well-known and proven G-POWER M3 supercharger system is now available with a technical optimized 2013 version. The revisions have been made in order to enhance the power output, to simplify the system's installation and are the results of a continuous quality improvement process.

The product launch has been preceded by extensive CAD engineering, complemented with virtual computational fluid dynamics analysis (CFD analysis) and intensive test driving. All components of the air intake and the fuel supply system have been developed from scratch or extensively revised based on our many years of experience. The modified air intake is now housing a larger racing air filter that provides for an enlarged air mass flow and at the same time is more durable and dust resistant. The additional air mass, that is provided by the new air intake, allows the use of the ASA T1-523 supercharger (SK II and SK II CS) compared to the ASA T1-522 supercharger used until now. Reserved for the SK II CS supercharger system is an additional fuel pump system with ECU for a map controlled activation. Moreover, thanks to the complete redevelopment of the air intake, its overall part count has been optimized, further simplifying the installation of the M3 'Sporty Drive' TU supercharger system. The modification of the standard ECU software to the new parameters of the forced induction has been completely reworked and optimized in the course of the upgrade process and is now based on the latest software version of BMW.

In the end the output is now increased between an additional 10 to 20 hp compared to the existing output enhancement. So that now the entry into the world of G-POWER supercharger systems starts with the SK I 'Sporty Drive' TU system and 520 hp, followed by the SK II 'Sporty Drive' TU system with 580 hp and the SK II CS 'Sporty Drive' TU with 610 hp peak performance.

More important to the customer than the naked figures, however, is the power delivery – i.e. the experience generated by the additional output. The key here is the term 'Sporty Drive'. In the specification for every tuning program undertaken by G-POWER, this aspect is afforded the same priority as the target power increase itself.

The very first thing you notice behind the wheel of a BMW M3 with a G-POWER 'Sporty Drive' TU supercharger system is the extremely sporty throttle response. Every input from the gas pedal is translated immediately into forward propulsion, without the lag usually associated even with modern turbocharged engines. The driver's command is proportionally and instantaneously implemented. One further characteristic of mechanical supercharging using the ASA radial supercharger is the outstanding torque in the middle of the rev range, which is particularly impressive during overtaking manoeuvres. This lively response from mid-range revs increases continuously until engine speed peaks, which is also where maximum boost pressure is achieved. The acceleration experience is akin to being fired from a catapult.

In order to ensure that all this extra power is delivered safely to the road, G-POWER recommends a combination of the G-POWER 20-inch SILVERSTONE DIAMOND wheel set with Michelin tyres measuring 255/30 ZR 20 on the front and 295/25 ZR 20 on the rear and the G-POWER 'GM3-RS' coil-over suspension with 9-way adjustable compression and rebound. The outcome is higher cornering speeds and improved directional stability at top speed.

Always worthy of consideration is the G-POWER rear sport silencer with 4 x 83 mm tail pipes. This hand-built silencer is made completely inside and out from stainless steel and combines an outstanding fit with OE quality.

Entry into the world of G-POWER supercharger systems starts at EUR 11,500.00 (net) for the installation-ready SK I 'Sporty Drive' TU supercharger system. The G-POWER 20-inch wheel set costs EUR 4,474.00 (net). The list price on the G-POWER coil-over suspension is EUR 1,550.00 (net) while the G-POWER stainless steel rear silencer comes in at EUR 1,592.00 (net). All prices are exclude installation.

by G-Power

The story of an exception: the BMW M3 is 25.

The anticipation began in August 1985. That summer Germany's automobile magazines built up their readers' expectations for the fastest 3 Series BMW of all times. The key data revealed a sports car that would punch way above its class: 200 hp, top speed in excess of 230 km/h, sprint from a standing start to 100 km/h inside 6.7 seconds. However, the story was that 'the most dynamic BMW 3 Series drivers' would have to wait until mid-1986. The pundits were right on that count. But one prediction missed the mark by a mile: anyone who 'wants to be in the A Team needs to be turbocharged under the bonnet'. Not true.

The BMW M3 became the most successful touring car in motor-sport history. The M3 project was launched just a few months earlier. Production of the M1 mid-engine sports car had already been discontinued for some time and BMW CEO Eberhard Kuenheim commissioned a design for a successor, almost as an aside, according to legend. After one of his regular visits to Motorsport GmbH in Munich's Preußenstraße he said, almost as he was leaving: 'Mr. Rosche, we need a sporty engine for the 3 Series.' His aspiration was in good hands. Motorsport GmbH with its managing director of technical development Paul Rosche had demonstrated its expertise with the legendary 5 Series saloons driven by M engines as well as developing the Formula 1 turbo engine that powered Brazilian Nelson Piquet to win the World Championship in the Brabham BMW in 1983.

The new 3 Series engine had something in common with this: the crankcase. It originated from volume production and actually formed the basis for the two-liter engine with four cylinders. Four cylinders meant less weight and high torque, an ideal platform for a sports engine in the projected displacement class. Naturally enough, the series four-cylinder engine was much too tame for a sports engine. A comprehensive power boost was called for in order to turn the plucky daily workhorse into an athletic and sporty power unit. The BMW design engineers increased the displacement to 2.3 liters and applied a formulation that had already achieved significant successes over a period of many years: four-valve engineering. There was also another reason for the decision to opt for a four-cylinder engine and not adopt the six-cylinder engine introduced in the BMW 3 Series. The longer crankshaft in the big engine started to vibrate much earlier than the shorter four-cylinder shaft. The design engineers, therefore, designed the crankshaft drive of the BMW M3 with sufficient torsional stability to achieve 10,000 revolutions a minute and more. By comparison with the four-cylinder engine installed in the series vehicles, this represented an increase of more than 60 percent. The rated speed for the road version of the BMW M3 was still significantly below the critical range at 6,750/min and therefore offered sufficient scope for further developments.

Paul Rosche recalls: 'We started work immediately. One advantage was that the big six-cylinder engine originally had the same cylinder gap as the four-cylinder engine. We therefore cut two combustion chambers off the four-cylinder head of the M88 and bolted a panel over the hole on the rear side.' This meant that the new four-cylinder engine had a second forebear. The six-cylinder engine that had initially created a sensation in the M1 and had meanwhile transformed the M635CSi into one of the fastest coupés in the world. Paul Rosche: 'Whether you believe it or not – we had created an outstanding four-cylinder engine for the 3 Series within the space of two weeks. Under the development name S14, this engine was to generate headlines in sport and in volume production over the years to come. One Sunday, I drove to von Kuenheim's flat and gave him the car for a test drive. When he came back he said: 'Good, I like it.' And that's how the M3 came into being.'

by BMW

The Champion in Touring Car Racing. 25 years ago the BMW M3 started its unique series of victories.

In August 1985, a rumour surfaced in motor magazine Auto-Deutschland which emanated from a new sports car. An A Group Car from BMW that was a thoroughbred racing car according to the rules but was also to be produced in a version licensed to drive on open roads for everyday use. Speculation about this dream car that could take to normal roads and was intended for the 'Most dynamic among BMW 3 Series drivers' was right on target. But the pundits missed the mark about the motor-sport car by a mile on one prediction: They were convinced that anyone who 'wants to be a key player in the A Team needs to be turbocharged under the bonnet'. Not true. The BMW M3 had a naturally aspirated engine. And it became the most successful touring car in the history of BMW.

The M3 project was launched just a few months earlier. Production of the M1 mid-engine sports car had already been discontinued for some time and BMW CEO Eberhard Kuenheim commissioned a design for a successor, almost as an aside, according to legend. After one of his regular visits to Motorsport GmbH in Munich's Preußenstraße he said, almost as he was leaving: 'Mr. Rosche, we need a sporty engine for the 3 Series.' His aspiration was in good hands. Motorsport GmbH with its managing director of technical development Paul Rosche had demonstrated its expertise with the legendary 5 Series saloons driven by M engines as well as developing the Formula 1 turbo engine that powered Brazilian Nelson Piquet to win the World Championship in the Brabham BMW in 1983.

Power source: a four-cylinder engine with 2.3 litres displacement and four-valve engineering.

The new 3 Series engine had something in common with this: the crankcase. It originated from volume production and actually formed the basis for the two-litre engine with four cylinders. Four cylinders meant less weight and high torque, an ideal platform for a sports engine in the projected displacement class. Naturally enough, the series four-cylinder engine was much too tame for a sports engine. A comprehensive power boost was called for in order to turn the plucky daily workhorse into an athletic and sporty power unit. The BMW design engineers increased the displacement to 2.3 litres and applied a formulation that had already achieved significant successes over a period of many years: four-valve engineering. There was also another reason for the decision to opt for a four-cylinder engine and not adopt the six-cylinder engine introduced in the BMW 3 Series. The longer crankshaft in the big engine started to vibrate much earlier than the shorter four-cylinder shaft. The design engineers therefore designed the crankshaft drive of the BMW M3 with sufficient torsional stability to achieve 10,000 revolutions a minute and more. By comparison with the four-cylinder engine installed in the series vehicles, this represented an increase of more than 60 percent.

Paul Rosche recalls: 'We started work immediately. One advantage was that the big six-cylinder engine originally had the same cylinder gap as the four-cylinder engine. We therefore cut two combustion chambers off the four-cylinder head of the M88 and bolted a panel over the hole on the rear side.' This meant that the new four-cylinder engine had a second forebear. The six-cylinder engine that had initially created a sensation in the M1 and had meanwhile transformed the M635CSi into one of the fastest coupés in the world. Paul Rosche: 'Whether you believe it or not – we had created an outstanding four-cylinder engine for the 3 Series within the space of two weeks. Under the development name S14, this engine was to generate headlines in sport and in volume production over the years to come. One Sunday, I drove to von Kuenheim's flat and gave him the car for a test drive. When he came back he said: 'Good, I like it.' And that's how the M3 came into being.'

Contrary to the situation with the mid-engine sports car, the BMW M3 was not going to be crafted by hand in small batches. This car was to be produced as a mass-production automobile on an assembly line. It was destined to compete in near-production touring car motor sport, or more precisely as a Group A racing car, defined as a 'production car', of which at least 5,000 units have to be built within the space of twelve consecutive months in accordance with Annex J of the international automobile sport regulations.

300 hp for competitive racing.

However, many of them immediately disappeared again into garages and workshops to be given a new outfit. After all, the M3 had been designed as a racing car, and this was the time to prove that it really could 'race'. A World Touring Car Championship was held for the first time in 1987. And that was exactly what the M3 had been built for. But not quite in the guise in which it was seen on the streets. Instead of 200 hp, the 2.3 litre engine delivered up to 300 hp at 8,200 rpm in the racing version. This put it on a par with the BMW M635CSi. BMW didn't line up on the starting grid with its own team but supported a number of famous racing outfits like Schnitzer, Linder, Zackspeed and Bigazzi. Drivers like Markus Oestreich, Christian Danner, Roberto Ravaglia and Wilfried Vogt took the wheel, and Annette Meeuvissen and Mercedes Stermitz were the first women drivers.

Roberto Ravaglia in the M3: first World Touring Car Champion.

The first race for the 1987 World Touring Car Championship started in Monza on 22 March 1987 – and ended with a sensation. All the M3 cars were excluded from the placings. The vehicles were checked under chaotic conditions and disqualified because of sheet-metal thicknesses that were allegedly contrary to the regulations. BMW appealed but the sports tribunal decided that the appeal had been lodged too late. There was no longer any talk of infringements of the rules. All the brouhaha naturally didn't have any effect on the result of the championship. At the end of the season, Roberto Ravaglia was standing on the podium as the first World Touring Car Champion. But that was only the pinnacle of the success list. Wilfried Vogt took the title of European Champion. Altfried Heger came in second – both driving a BMW M3. In 1987, the German Touring Car Championship (DTM) also went to the new BMW M3, with Eric van de Poele behind the wheel. Moreover, the most sporty 3 Series car was also winning competitions off the race track. An M3 crossed the finishing line in first place in the Corsica Rally and secured a victory for BMW after a gap of 14 years in a race for the World Rally Championship.

24 Hour Race: M3 one-two victory on the Nürburgring.

In 1988, the BMW M3 continued the success story and took the national titles in France, England and Spain. In the following year came another victory in the German Touring Car Championship (DTM), this time with Roberto Ravaglia in the driver's seat, alongside wins at the national championships in Belgium, Holland, France, Italy, Finland, Spain, Sweden and Yugoslavia. Meanwhile, the displacement had been increased to 320 hp and the BMW M3 drove the competition into the ground. Belgian driver Marc Duez battled his way through the Monte Carlo Rally with an M3 and took eighth place as best driver in a car without a four-wheel drive. The sensational one-two victory in the 24-hour classic on the Nürburgring crowned this series of successes in 1989 with the driver combinations Pirro/Ravaglia/Giroix and Heger/Grohs/Manthey.

Playing with displacement: the right engine for each race.

The M3 had a commanding presence on the international touring car racing scene for five years. It became the most successful touring car of all times by winning the two champion's titles in the European Touring Car Championship and twice in the German Touring Car Championship. There were also numerous further victories and championship wins at international level. Depending on the competition rules, the four-valve engine had to be adapted to national regulations. For example, the capacity for England was limited to 2 litres while for Germany and France it was raised to 2.5 litres with effect from 1990. This enabled the four-cylinder to deliver up to 355 hp. In the version with the biggest capacity, the engineers of BMW M GmbH went up against the limits of what was feasible. In order to make full use of the 2.5 litre limit, they not only increased the stroke of the 2.3 litre unit from 84 to 87 millimetres, but also increased the cylinder bore from 94 millimetres to 95.5 millimetres. This reduced the width between the cylinders to just 4.5 millimetres. But success proved the development engineers right. The engines withstood the stresses and strains of touring-car racing even at maximum output without any problem.

1992: the first BMW M3 with a six-cylinder engine.

The year 1992 saw the birth of a completely new M3, this time with an advanced six-cylinder engine. Once again, Motorsport GmbH developed a version for competition in record time. In April 1993, the new M3 was due to line up at the start of the first race for the German Touring Car Championship (DTM). But due to discrepancies in the new regulations, BMW changed its strategy and instead set up a BMW M3 GTR in the striking design of a starting flag and entered the Warsteiner ADAC GT Cup organised by the German Automobile Association. The six-cylinder now generated 325 hp, the car weighed 1300 kilos in accordance with the regulations. A strong BMW team lined up at the start with Johnny Cecotto and Kris Nissen, and Cecotto ended up taking the championship at the end of the season. However, this was the end of the motor-sport chapter for this M3 GTR for the time being. Changes in the regulations meant that the potent 3 Series had no realistic changes of victory any more.

The BMW M3 GTR: the most powerful M3 ever.

BMW only returned to motor sport as a works team with a BMW M3 seven years later. In 2001, the first starting flag came down for the new BMW M3 GTR powered by a 450 hp V8 engine. The most powerful M3 ever set benchmarks in the GT class of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) with its four-litre engine and raced in a quartet: Team BMW Motorsport entered two cars under the management of Charly Lamm and two other cars were raced by the American BMW Team PTG run by Tom Milner, who hailed originally from Germany. The coupé took seven victories in ten races, six of them were from pole positions. BMW works driver Jörg Müller won the driver's championship in the GT Class, BMW Motorsport won the team placings, and BMW became constructors' champion in the company's most important export market.

But the advanced BMW M3 GTR also caused a sensation in Europe. Two each of these eight-cylinder racing cars lined up at the start of the 24 Hour Race at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium and on the Nürburgring in 2004 and 2005.The result: In both years, BWM took a one-two victory on the Nürburgring, and class victory went to BMW in Spa in 2004.

In 2009, the next generation of the M3 started in the American Le Mans Series. The V8 engine was beefed up to 485 hp and entered the Twelve Hour Race at Sebring for the first time. The successes meant that the M3 was also raced in Europe in the following year. It lined up at the start of the 24 Hour Race on the Nürburgring, in Le Mans and in Spa-Francorchamps. The result: outright victory on the Nürburgring – for the 19th time – and class victory in Spa.

And the next winner will soon be on the starting line in 2012. BMW will be back at the German Touring Car Masters (DTM) with three teams and the new BMW M3 DTM.

by BMW