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The BMW that some said could never be is real, street legal and ready to go.

BMW's M unit before the end of 2010 will launch the BMW M3 GTS, a performance stunner based on the M3 Coupe. It's mostly hand-built by craftsmen and each vehicle is exclusively tailored to the customer's order.

The GTS is also track ready, with suspension, drive train and cabin specially modified for this purpouse. The fact that it's also street legal means you can drive to track meet the very same car you will use for racing.

Weight factor

Unladen weight is less than 1500 kg and the body has mounts for six-point seat belts and a rollcage that fits behind the B-pillar.

To shave off weight the roof is made from carbon fibre, as is standard on the BMW M3. Added to this are titanium silencers, extra-light fascia and door linings and the removal of the back row, air conditioning and audio system.

Power

The capacity of the car's eight-cylinder engine has been raised to 4.4 litres to produce power of 335kW that is available right through the rev range. The crankcase is made from aluminium-silicon alloy, has individual throttle butterflies, anti-knock sensors with ion flow technology and a wet sump.

A Drivelogic transmission - also available on the standard production model ? is coupled to the engine via a double-clutch system. BMW chose the transmission because they say it shifts gears "without the slightest interruption of engine power".

Shifts can be enabled through a selector lever on the centre console and from shift paddles on the steering wheel.

Wheels on tar

With all that power, this car needs some special suspension to keep it on the road. The system is based on suspension of the BMW M3 Coupe but the rear axle subframe is bolted down and the inbound and rebound stroke of each damper can be individually set.

A six-pot calliper in the front and four-pot on the rear grip the discs that provide stopping power and are coupled to 19-inch, M light-alloys designed to handle severe acceleration and braking forces.

Cutting the air

A front air dam and rear wing are standard on the GTS and a must-have for any proper track performance. The air guidance vanes on the front air dam can be set, as can the rear wing to provide optimum downforce and streamlining.

The cabin is fitted with bucket seats an M steering wheel, while other interior trim is in carbon fibre. A fire extinguisher and emergency kill switch round off the superb race-styling of this car.