BMW M3 GTS

The GTS is the pinnacle of the M3 range and the production run of just 150 cars is a fitting way to say goodbye to the hottest 3-Series. It's a stunning track car, and will allow the lucky few owners who will get right-hand drive cars in the UK to be almost untouchable around the nation's circuits. The price tag is astronomical‚ but it may already be academic. Rumour has it that every single car has already been snapped up.

Meet the ultimate M3! Lighter, faster and more focused than ever,the M3 GTS is an extreme send-off for the current model, before anall-new car arrives in 2012. Until then, this track-tuned rocket‚ whichwill be produced in a limited run of just 150 examples. It will becomethe flagship of the range. And Auto Express headed to a circuit inGermany to be first behind the wheel.

To make the GTS, BMW's famed M Division has undertaken some prettycomprehensive work on the sports coupe's 4.0-litre V8 engine. Thestroke has been made longer so the unit now displaces 4.4-litres, andpower jumps from 414bhp to 444bhp. More importantly, torque climbs to440Nm, but is developed lower in the rev range, giving it more low-downpunch when sprinting out of corners.

Complimenting the increase in power is a decrease in weight. The car'srear seats, air conditioning and stereo have all been sacrificed, whilea new titanium exhaust, carbon fibre seats and lightweight 19-inchalloys have been added. As a result, the M3 GTS tips the scales some70kg lighter at 1,530kg.

All versions are painted a lurid shade of orange, get a deep frontsplitter and manually adjustable rear wing which is similar to the itemfitted to BMW's World Touring Car racer.

Start the engine and it's obvious that the V8 has been completelyoverhauled. It spins up with a bark, sounding louder and more highlystrung than a normal M3. The only transmission option is BMW'sseven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, which has been beefed up to cope withthe engine's extra power. The gearbox works very quickly, rippingthrough the seven gears in the sharpest sports mode. The engine isincredibly responsive too, with a noticeable extra shove lower down therev range‚ ì not just at peak rpm. The ballistic 190mph top speed alsoseems very achievable.

The steering is simply brilliant. It's heavier than standard, butallows you to cut through bends with total precision, providing all thefeedback you could ever need, while the new adjustable coil-oversuspension ensures that there's virtually no body roll.

In M-mode, the DSC stability control is almost imperceptible inregulating the car's line through a high-speed bend. The system hasbeen tuned for the track and it works incredibly well. On the road,there's no doubt that the M3 GTS will offer a very firm ride and itslevels of grip will be so high that you're unlikely to ever needelectronic intervention. The final highlight is a set of upgradedbrakes that are capable of shedding speed repeatedly without fuss. Itall adds up to the best M3 in history.

Rival: Porsche 911 GT3 RS
If it's raw thrills you're after, the RS is the just about as good asthe 911 gets, particularly on track. What's more, the RS starts at£105,000, undercutting the BMW. But despite the relative rarity of the911, you're even less likely to see at GTS.