Performance Review: BMW 3 Series M3 E92 GTS - [2010]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW 3 Series Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW 3 Series M3 E92 GTS is the 7 speed / Semi-Auto version and was first brought out in 2010. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2011 SSC Tuatara 6.9L V8 Twin Turbo and the 2010 Hennessey Venom GT 6.2L V8.This particular BMW 3 Series has a 4361cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The 3 Series shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 3 Series's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1605 kgs (3538 lbs) this makes the BMW 3 Series M3 E92 GTS in the same weight category as the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW 3 Series shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp)

In terms of power the 4361cc 32V V8 engine produces 444 bhp (331 kW) @ 8300 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (467 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 325 lb-ft (440.6 Nm) @ 3750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW 3 Series you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2012 Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG Performance Package (301.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW 3 Series.

The BMW 3 Series has a Power to weight ratio of 276.6 bhp per ton and 202.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2010 3 Series competing with the 2012 Mercedes SL Class 63 AMG Performance Package (301.3 bhp per ton) or the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 3.5 V6 Supercharged (301.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW 3 Series generating around 202.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1971 Lamborghini Miura P4000 SV (227.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Porsche 911 GT3 3.8 991 (227.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.4 secs, this made the BMW 3 Series M3 E92 GTS as fast as the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (4.30 secs) the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the or the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (4.30 secs). This BMW 3 Series M3 E92 GTS is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2020 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the and the 2020 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 3 Series and the 2013 Volvo S60 Polestar

When talking about the performance of the BMW 3 Series on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.78 secs @ 107.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Volvo S60 Polestar (12.72 secs), the 2004 MG SV 5.0 V8 (12.73 secs), and the 2009 Nissan 370Z 3.7 V6 Roadster (12.73 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2010 version of the BMW 3 Series M3 E92 GTS has a maximum speed of 193mph.

Top Speed of the 2010 3 Series equals the 2020 Audi R8 Performance 5.2 V10 Spyder (204 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2010 BMW 3 Series M3 E92 GTS then how about the 2020 Audi R8 Performance 5.2 V10 Spyder (204 mph), the 2018 McLaren 600LT 3.8 V8 Bi-Turbo (204 mph), or the 2017 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat 6.2 V8 (204 mph).

Related Links:

2010 3 Series Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison