BMW unveils limited edition M3 CRT

The boffins at BMW have just unveiled a limited-edition M3 CRT, which stands for Carbon Racing Technology and it looks like they have taken the production process for carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) components to a whole new level. The M3 CRT has a bonnet made of CFRP with a honeycomb structure and it’s supposed to be as tough as steel but as light as a feather. Almost. In fact, it is 50 per cent lighter than the M3 saloon’s bonnet and in total, the car weighs 1,580kg – that’s 45kg less than the road going version. This one is better off on the track. The material is also present on the car's rear spoiler, front fascia and it even finds a place on the bucket seats. We’re not complaining because as a result, the M3 CRT races from 0 to 100 kph in just 4.4 seconds. The tuned 4.0-litre V8 helps too. It now has 450bhp at 8,300rpm and 440Nm of torque at 3,750rpm. Top speed has been limited to 290kph. It also gains a sports exhaust system with a lightweight titanium muffler, 19in alloys, a seven-speed M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic, sat-nav and it even has parking sensors. Only 67 M3 CRTs will be built, and Bimmer plans to use CFRP for the entire body of its ‘i’ cars by 2013. From gulfnews.