BMW Shows M3 Performance Package

If you’re one of the people who thought that the BMW M3 wasn’t quite sporty enough well, you’re insane. And apparently so are the people working at Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, as the group just released its first photos and details of the 2011 BMW M3 Performance Package which appeared as a rumor back in January. The Performance Package is available for the coupe and convertible versions of the M3.

The same 4 liter V8 developing 420 hp will power the 2011 BMW Performance Package, but the car will also feature an Auto Start Stop Function. The 2011 BMW M3 Performance Package includes a 10 mm lower suspension, 19 inch rims, a newly developed electronic damper adjustment function EDC and a new aerodynamics kit.

According to BMW, “The Auto Start Stop Function is used both in vehicles with standard 6-speed manual transmission and in conjunction with the M dual clutch transmission with Drivelogic. The BMW M3 is thus the first model - along with the BMW ActiveHybrid X6 and the BMW ActiveHybrid 7 - to use this efficiency-enhancing measure in combination with an automated manual transmission.”

“The increase in efficiency brought about by the Auto Start Stop Function is up to 8 per cent of 24 grams of CO2 per kilometre, depending on the model and transmission type. For example, the BMW M3 Coupé with 7-speed M dual clutch transmission and Drivelogic powered by a V8 high-revving engine with 309 kW/420 bhp now achieves an average fuel consumption on the EU test cycle of 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres (6-speed manual transmission: 12.4 litres).”

The price for the Performance Package has not yet been announced.