01 · Overview
The race car that won at the Ring
The M3 GT2 was BMW’s factory car in the GT2 class from 2009 to 2012. It is based on the S65 V8 of the production M3, with four litres of displacement, brought to around 485 PS according to BMW M, at a weight of 1,150 kilograms. It was fielded in the American Le Mans Series by the BMW Team Rahal Letterman and in European endurance racing by BMW Motorsport with Schnitzer Motorsport.
The greatest success came in 2010: the overall victory at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring with Jörg Müller, Augusto Farfus, Pedro Lamy and Uwe Alzen. BMW M counts this as the brand’s 19th overall win at the Ring. In 2011, BMW Team RLL won all three GT titles in the ALMS — manufacturer, team and driver; over the entire period of use, BMW speaks of five ALMS titles for the M3 GT2.
The car is also known as a canvas: on 12 June 2010, the M3 GT2 designed by Jeff Koons, carrying start number 79, took to the grid at the 24 Hours of Le Mans — the 17th BMW Art Car, driven by Andy Priaulx, Dirk Müller and Dirk Werner.
02 · History
Four seasons
- 2009 First season of competition in the GT2 class.
- 2010 Overall victory at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. At Spa, the car starts from second place and leads until one hour before the finish, before retiring with suspension damage. Class win at the 1000 km of Zhuhai. On 12 June, the Koons Art Car with number 79 races at Le Mans.
- 2011 BMW Team RLL wins all three GT titles in the American Le Mans Series.
- 2012 Final season of competition. From 2013, the Z4 GTE takes over.
03 · Model overview
The racing variants of the E92 compared
Technische Daten anzeigen — komplette Modellmatrix
| Modell | Motor | Hubraum | Leistung | Bauzeit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M3 GT2 | S65-V8 | 4,0 l | approx. 485 PS at 1,150 kg | 2009–2012 |
| M3 GT4 | S65-V8 | 4,0 l | approx. 450 PS at 1,430 kg | ab 2009 |
| M3 DTM | BMW P66 | 4,0 l | approx. 480 PS at 1,200 kg incl. driver | 2012–2013 |
04 · In detail
In detail
05 · Engines
The engine
S65 V8 · 4.0 litres · around 485 PS plausibel
It is based on the production engine of the E92 M3. BMW M states four litres of displacement and around 485 PS at a vehicle weight of 1,150 kilograms. The exact homologation details — restrictor sizes, minimum weight under ACO and FIA regulations, Balance of Performance — could not be verified in any permissible source and are therefore not included here.
Technische Daten anzeigen
| Bauart | Naturally aspirated V8, based on S65 |
| Hubraum | 4,0 l |
| Leistung | ca. 485 PS |
| Fahrzeuggewicht | 1.150 kg |
| Klasse | GT2 |
| Nachfolger | BMW Z4 GTE from 2013 |
BMW M
06 · Engineering
Races and successes
24 Hours of Nürburgring 2010
American Le Mans Series
Spa and Zhuhai 2010
The Art Car by Jeff Koons
07 · Motorsport
Motorsport
The M3 GT2 is itself the race car of the model line. Its record: overall victory at the 24 Hours of Nürburgring in 2010, GT2 class win at the 1000 km of Zhuhai in 2010, all three GT titles in the American Le Mans Series in 2011, and a total of five ALMS titles. From 2013, the Z4 GTE took over its role.
08 · The competition
The competition
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
The perennial rival in GT2 — both in the ALMS and at Le Mans.
Ferrari F430 GTC / 458 Italia GT2
The other major rival in the class, with the 458 from 2011.
Chevrolet Corvette C6.R
In the ALMS, the strongest American rival of BMW Team RLL.
09 · Galerie
Galerie
The first and last images show the Art Car by Jeff Koons.
10 · Sources