Do you think the first V8 in BMW history was fitted to the e92 M3? You're wrong.

Did you think the first V8 engine in BMW history was fitted to the BMW M3 e92? I’m sorry to tell you that you’re wrong. The Bavarian brand has always been known for the sports cars of its performance division, BMW M, and specifically with the BMW M3 family, which celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. Throughout this time we have witnessed its evolution, both in styling and in performance.

The first to arrive was the BMW M3 e30 with its four-cylinder engine. It was followed, after a great deal of development, by the BMW M3 e36, which introduced the straight-six engine. After it came the BMW M3 e46 and its legendary CSL version, but did you think the generational leap would happen here? Well, it did not. The Bavarian brand, and specifically its performance division, developed the BMW M3 e46 GTR; an authentic beast fitted with a V8 engine.

BMW M3 e46 GTR, an exclusive model that became the first M3 with a V8 engine

To get to know this model we have to go back to 2001, the year in which BMW M unveiled its radical and exclusive BMW M3 GTR. This model came about because the Bavarian brand wanted to increase its presence in motorsport and focused on the American Le Mans Series. As in all racing categories, the homologation regulations required that road versions of the competing model be built.

At that time, 10 road-going units of the racing model had to be built and sold on at least two continents. The Bavarian brand developed the BMW M3 GTR and, in compliance with the regulations, only ten units exist worldwide. This beast shared its base with its sibling, the BMW M3 e46, although its tuning was handled by BMW Motorsport, just like the racing cars.

The BMW M3 e46 GTR had greater torsional rigidity, new suspension arms, a new styling kit with bumpers, sills and more pronounced wheel arches, among other accessories that made it a true race car with a number plate. The most distinctive feature of the BMW M3 e46 GTR lies in its mechanics. It was fitted with a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre V8 engine which, in the road versions, delivered 350 CV of power managed through a six-speed manual gearbox.

As a curiosity, the engine was 12 kg lighter than the S54B32 of the standard BMW M3 e46. You are probably in love with the model, but you should know that all ten units have ended up in private garages after changing hands for 250,000 euros.