Sport Cars

The M3’s ability to both gain and shed speed is striking. Launched successfully, it scorches to 60mph in 4.8sec, touches 100mph in 11.5sec and covers the quarter-mile in 13.4sec. In short, quick enough to sit on the tail of a Porsche 996 Carrera: dig deep into the M3’s power and it will whip from 30-70mph in 4.1sec.If the M3’s ability to gain speed astonishes then its brakes are little short of heroic. Really stand on them and they haul the M3 down from 60mph to a standstill in just 2.6sec. Despite its massive performance, the M3’s on-road behaviour strikes an almost perfect balance between supple tourer and hard-edged racer – the chassis and suspension play strong supporting roles to that astounding engine. This balance means the M3 can be pushed very quickly and confidently down virtually any road. There’s little roll even in the most aggressively taken corners, and body control at all speeds is exceptional.The combination of the chassis’ beautifully neutral balance and the generous footprint translates into a phenomenal level of grip. The steering supplies your hands with a constant flow of details.

 LIVING
The restrained and subtle layout of the M3’s cabin is the perfect counterbalance to the pumped-up exterior. Its atmosphere is perfectly suited to the M3’s no-nonsense character. The leather-covered seats, electrically adjustable in every direction, are fabulous – both supportive and comfortable, and the fully adjustable three-spoke steering wheel has to be one of BMW’s most tactile units.The M3 may be a hothead at heart but, as befits its flagship status, the M3 is still an opulent car to sit in. The list of standard equipment is extensive and includes an excellent sound system, leather trim, cruise and climate control.For a car capable of humbling all but a handful of supercars, the M3 returns some impressive fuel figures. Driven enthusiastically, it returned 21.7mpg, rising to 25.7mpg over our touring route, giving it a range of 356 miles from the 63-litre tank.


Verdict
The M3 is a return to form that rekindles the excitement of the original M3. The intimacy and involvement that charmed us in 1986 is now joined by unprecedented levels of performance married to exceptional refinement. Ultimately, what makes the new M3 such a special car is its ability to appeal to the core enthusiast. For us, it’s the best M car yet.

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