| BMW and Mercedes are locked in a pitched | | | | been a closely guarded secret until very |
| battle for the right to call themselves the | | | | recently. Camouflaged spy shots of the all |
| top luxury automotive brand in the world. | | | | new BMW M3 have been circulating on the |
| With Lexus making inroads, neither make can | | | | internet for some time now but only since |
| afford a misstep. For BMW, part of their | | | | June has a pre-production version of a fully |
| future fortunes will rest on models such as | | | | unclothed BMW M3 been spotted. It was seen |
| the soon to be released BMW M3. Intrigued? | | | | navigating the twisting roads of Southern |
| Please continue reading for an overview of | | | | California according to The Car Connection, |
| this race inspired compact car. | | | | the vehicle information and shopping site. |
| | | | |
| German premier automotive maker BMW continues | | | | For BMW enthusiasts, news of a BMW M3 |
| to maintain its hold as the top selling | | | | pre-production sighting means one thing: BMW |
| luxury auto brand in the world. Battling with | | | | will soon announce the date in 2007 when its |
| archrival Mercedes-Benz year in and year out | | | | latest M Series car will be available in |
| for the highest laurels, BMW continues to | | | | dealer showrooms. |
| constantly tweak its existing line and add | | | | |
| new vehicles to its line in a bid to | | | | Right now, the current BMW M3 is still based |
| stimulate and strengthen customer interest. | | | | on the fourth generation 3 Series which was |
| One area where BMW has found much of its | | | | replaced in 2006. The new BMW M3 will be |
| recent success is with its race car inspired | | | | based on the latest generation body frame and |
| line of vehicles, the M Series. Since 1979 | | | | feature some notable improvements over the |
| various Motorsports [M} tags have been | | | | previous BMW M3 model including: |
| affixed to vehicles that have been developed | | | | |
| by the BMW Motorsports division, including | | | | A larger, more potent V8 engine with an |
| the BMW M3 a car based on BMW's popular 3 | | | | output of 400 horses. Currently, the BMW M3 |
| Series. Today, BMW engineers are hard at work | | | | features an inline six engine with a 333 |
| on developing an all new BMW M3 and, if all | | | | horsepower output. The new model is expected |
| of the auto buzz is correct, very few cars | | | | to rocket from start to 60 in under 5 |
| will be able to keep up with this 400 hp road | | | | seconds, topping out at 155 mph. |
| commander. Please keep reading for a closer | | | | |
| look at the all new, soon to be released, BMW | | | | A six or possibly seven speed manual |
| M3. | | | | transmission. |
| | | | |
| A pitched battle in autodom continues to | | | | A longer wheelbase for better weight |
| gather force pitting German automaker against | | | | distribution. |
| German automaker. Legendary Mercedes-Benz is | | | | |
| taking on heralded BMW for the right to call | | | | Styling cues from the BMW M3 will find its |
| themselves the top selling luxury brand in | | | | way to the new model from front wing vents to |
| the world. For years, the honor belonged | | | | twin exit exhausts along with the ubiquitous |
| exclusively to Mercedes-Benz, but a recent | | | | M series recognized emblems. |
| stumble on Mercedes' part coupled with a | | | | |
| surge of new products from BMW has placed BMW | | | | For Mercedes enthusiasts they can point to |
| in first place. Not far behind the two is | | | | the soon to be released 2007 C Class, which |
| Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota, but for | | | | is the direct competitor for the BMW 3 |
| now the battle remains a fight between these | | | | Series, as evidence that DaimlerChrysler will |
| two German automakers. | | | | not let BMW out of its crosshairs anytime |
| | | | soon. A new AMG [motorsport] version of the C |
| For luxury car enthusiasts, the BMW-Mercedes | | | | Class will follow, ratcheting up what is |
| rivalry has been a win-win battle as both | | | | certain to a pitched battle to be enjoyed by |
| automakers have been pouring engineering | | | | compact luxury car devotees worldwide. |
| funds into their vehicles. Neither automaker | | | | |
| is resting on their past achievements; | | | | Additional competitors to the BMW M3 include |
| instead both are pressing forward to add the | | | | the Cadillac CTS-V, the Audi RS4, and the |
| latest safety features including Mercedes' | | | | Lexus IS. Prices have not been set for the |
| Night Vision Assist and BMW's impact | | | | new M3, but they can be expected to top out |
| absorbing bumpers which absorb stronger | | | | at around $60,000 fully equipped. |
| impacts without damaging the vehicle's main | | | | |
| body. Safety is one of the chief concerns for | | | | Copyright 2006 -- Matthew C. Keegan is a |
| consumers when selecting a particular luxury | | | | freelance automotive writer covering classic, |
| brand according to all of the leading | | | | current, and future models for All About |
| automotive industry surveys. | | | | Bimmers. You can find quality BMW M3 and BMW |
| | | | M5 SAV parts and accessories at the All About |
| For BMW, its latest automotive project has | | | | Bimmers shop. |