The term ‘facelift’ is a bit of a stretch for the 2011 M3 range. In short, all three body styles of the M3 gain a new ‘Auto Start Stop’ function that promises to reduce average fuel consumption and CO2 levels, while the Coupe and Convertible get modified LED tail lights and the Coupe and Sedan receive an optional Competition Package that sharpens handling.
In more detail, the M3′s 309 kW, 4,0-litre, high-revving V8, benefits from the addition of a start-stop function that switches off the engine when the vehicle comes to a halt. The ‘Auto Start Stop’ system is used both in vehicles with standard 6-speed manual transmission and in conjunction with the M dual clutch transmission with Drivelogic, making the M3 the first non-hybrid Bimmer (ActiveHybrid X6 and ActiveHybrid 7) to use this technology in combination with an automated manual transmission. BMW claims the start-stop system reduces the average fuel consumption and CO2 levels of the 2011 M3 by up to 8 per cent or 24 grams of CO2 per kilometre.
As an example, the Bavarian automaker said that both the M3 Coupe and Sedan with 7-speed M dual clutch transmission now achieves an average fuel consumption on the EU test cycle of 11.2 l/100km and 12.4 l/100km with the 6-speed manual gearbox. In the case of the BMW M3 Convertible, the average fuel consumption is reduced to 11.5 l/100km with the dual clutch transmission and 12.7 l/100km with the 6-speed manual transmission.
Furthermore, the German company presented an optional Competition Package and a new range of items from the Original BMW Accessories program for the Coupe and Sedan M3s. The Competition Package adds a suspension lowered by some 10 mm and light alloy wheels in the size 9 x 19 inches at the front and Y-spoke design at the rear. In addition, the control of the electronic damper adjustment function EDC includes a Sport mode specially developed for the Competition Package. It is said to adjust the chassis modifications by means of map-based control and the driving stability control function DSC.
As for the new optional items, the list includes among other things, a rear spoiler and carbon fibre ‘fangs’ for the front splitter.
