http://www.speedtv.com/_assets/library/img/large/82433_bm2.jpg

One of the planet’s most ubiquitous race cars, the BMW 3-Series will debut its all-new generation next season, based on the road car’s latest version (known as the E90).

Unveiled this week at the Frankfurt auto show in Germany, the new 3 will carry on as the automaker’s works entry in the World Touring Car Championship, and also be available to customer teams worldwide.

Slightly larger than its predecessor, the E90 racer’s main distinction in comparison to the E46-based car is the fact it's powered by a 2.0-liter in-line four, whereas the E46 was motivated by an I6 power plant. The car fully complies to the FIA’s Super 2000 regulations that guide the WTCC and most of Europe’s national touring car championships.

“Touring cars without BMW is unthinkable - and BMW is equally unthinkable without touring cars,” Mario Theissen, the company’s motorsport director, stated. “This is what made the brand grow, and we will stick to this tradition. Apart from works support we have always been keen to keep racing affordable for our customers and at the same time offer a high-performance package.

“This tradition is now continued by the racing version of the new BMW 3 Series. I am sure that this model will write further chapters of BMW's successful history.”

BMW is the reigning WTCC champion (dubbed ETCC back then) with driver Andy Priaulx. It campaigns three factory-backed squads in the series, including a specially adapted machine for Alex Zanardi’s Team Italy-Spain.

In the U.S., variations of the E46 are run by privateers in Grand-Am and SPEED World Challenge competition.

Mmm, daddy like :thumbup:

So when are we going to see Bimmerworlds e90? Are they gonna run one next year or 2007?

It's a 4-banger!?

Wow.

It's a 4-banger!?

Wow.

Touring cars, historically, have been.

Touring cars, historically, have been.

I did not know that.

When did the trend shift? Or has it?

I guess I should qualify that as "recent" history when ETCC/BTCC etc really became big time series with big time advancements, etc.. Before the M10/S14 (as in pre 1987 or so), BMW used inline-6's in European Touring Car races if I recall correctly. Heck, the E30 M3 and S14 were developed specifically for Touring Car racing and the S14 even used later in the E36 chassis in some series.

I believe the E46 is the first time BMW has used a 6-cylinder in ETCC since the late 80's. They may have used an inline-6 in some series in the E36, but I thought I remember them running a 2.0 liter inline-4 in BTCC. Most of the other cars I remember running in the 90's were running 4 cylinders as well. It gets hard to keep all the series straight in my head.

So when are we going to see Bimmerworlds e90? Are they gonna run one next year or 2007?

Stay tuned and we will let you know. Nothing is confirmed as of what year we will run one but count on it being very soon!!!

:alright

Glad the dumb add on flares seem to be gone. Looks like a real production car now.

Nice - a few more pics on this thread:

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111396

hmm seth, that message makes it sound like maybe we will see one this yr... possibly. That would be pretty impressive work. However, there always seems to be a rush to see who can be the first to race the new 3 series. I think paul garguilio (sp?) was the first to bring out the E46 to SWC in 2000 or maybe 99.

Good luck on the development!

hmm seth, that message makes it sound like maybe we will see one this yr... possibly. That would be pretty impressive work. However, there always seems to be a rush to see who can be the first to race the new 3 series. I think paul garguilio (sp?) was the first to bring out the E46 to SWC in 2000 or maybe 99.

Good luck on the development!


All I can say is we are talking about doing E90s for in the near future.

ah ok. Sounds good. Hopefully we will see a few across the country in both SWC and GAC.

Do any of the components developed for the WTCC car translate over to SWC or Grand Am?

it all depends on regulations. I can almost guarantee that none of the regs will carry over to the Grand Am Cup. As for SWC, I dunno. The fenders are a bit wide as well as a few other components which dont exactly meet the current specs. We shall see though. Either way though, I think the E90 will make a mean looking racecar.

Glad the dumb add on flares seem to be gone. Looks like a real production car now.

yeah, the fender flares on this wtcc car are nicely formed in metal. hey i guess the e90 m3 will probably have the same fender flares as this wtcc car.

4 banger = Multiple rebuilds per season?

Just curious to see how much they can extract and how durable it would be. I think the Tripoint team rebuilds their motors 3-4 times per season. But of course we're dealing with a BMW here. haha. :stickoutt

4 banger = Multiple rebuilds per season?

Just depends.

Just curious to see how much they can extract and how durable it would be. I think the Tripoint team rebuilds their motors 3-4 times per season. But of course we're dealing with a BMW here. haha. :stickoutt

Hard to really compare World Challenge racing with WTCC. Different rules, etc.

4 banger = Multiple rebuilds per season?

Just curious to see how much they can extract and how durable it would be. I think the Tripoint team rebuilds their motors 3-4 times per season. But of course we're dealing with a BMW here. haha. :stickoutt


I would guess it would be about 40-50 hours between rebuilds. At that rate you would probably need a minimum of 2 per season.

I know this year I am on my 4th motor. Started the season with a fresh one. Head developed a microsopic crack (casting flaw) in one of the spark plug jackets, broke a crank in my accident at Lime Rock, and now I am using my 4th motor at the last of the season. Last year I only used 2 motors. One at the beginning and the second one about 7 races into the year.

Last year I only used 2 motors. One at the beginning and the second one about 7 races into the year.

I was gonna say, 4 is a lot for a bmw. At least when I was involved it was. But yours sound like they are mostly due to extenuating circumstances.

Now when the proteges were running... it seemed like they were doing a rebuild every race or two. I think the RSXs were similar. Now, with how much the 6 cost to develop I hope they arent doing that many rebuilds.

Mmm, daddy like :thumbup:

Now I have to wait until Gran Turismo 5 comes out on PS 3 so I can actually drive it :stickoutt.

Now I have to wait until Gran Turismo 5 comes out on PS 3 so I can actually drive it :stickoutt.

agreed

sexy sexy! It will be very interesting to watch it race