BMW's new 186mph M3 pick-up 01 | 04 | 2011
NEED A FAST pick-up? Are you a white van man in a hurry? Well how about an M3 pick-up from BMW? No, we're not joking. The German giant has produced this 414bhp flying machine which, according to BMW, has been tested several times at the Nurburgring to ensure it delivers all the necessary M driving experience.
It's powered by the same 4.0-litre V8 developing its 414bhp at 8300rpm and 295lb ft at 3900rpm as the rest of the M3 range. As you'd expect, power is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. No specific performance figures have yet been released, but according to BMW, it's already hit 300km/h (186mph) at the 'Ring.
Cleverly BMW has brought the weight of the pick-up in at 50kgs under the M3 convertible’s 1885kg kerb weight, and that's despite substantial modifications at the rear, particularly to the suspension. BMW has also tested the slippery pick-up in the windtunnel and found it to be was as aerodynamic as the M3 Coupe!
A pick-up wouldn't be a pick-up of course unless it had room for all the paraphernalia normally associated with a hairy-bottomed builder. On that basis, the maximum load capacity has been raised to 450kg and a trailer tow hitch features on an M3 for the first time. For the weekends, the cargo area is clad in aluminium sheeting and it is capable of storing up to 20 golf bags; perfect for the lads' 'networking' at the local club.
Inside the cabin, it's home-from-home for the average M3 owner, with an M-badged sports leather seats, steering wheel and gearlever; thoughtfully, there's also a very special badge to commemorate the project on a carbonfibre strip on the dashboard.
Performance is again paramount and removing the targa roof, which weighs 20kg, will further reduce the 0-60mph sprint time.
As you would expect of BMW, the pick-up has been subjected to all the necessary tests to ensure it's legal for the road and as a result it's been officially classified as a truck.
No price has yet been revealed, but any fool who is easily parted from his — or her — money should make a quick dash to their nearest Scottish BMW dealer; the M3 pick-up/truck is only available for a limited period. Well, today actually … April 1.
CLICK HERE to see more 'official' photos of BMW's M3 pick-up
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Jim McGill