2011 G-Power M3 GTS SK II “Sporty Drive”Club sport events are enjoying increasing popularity across the world. These events have traditionally been dominated by Porsche vehicles. Then, in 2009, BMW decided to stop ignoring widespread customer demands for a base vehicle for use in club sport events and unveiled the Project M3 GTS. Delivery of the limited run of 150 units was scheduled for early 2010. However, it took until the end of 2010 for the first vehicles to reach customer hands, of which 3 found their way immediately into the G-POWER workshops.
Although the BMW M3 GTS differed from the base M3 in virtually all parameters relevant to motorsport – adjustable aerodynamic body components front and rear, 100 kg less weight, a modified suspension and brake setup – the power increase of 30 hp to 450 hp turned out to be somewhat reserved. This is particularly so, when you consider that the Porsche 911 GT3 RS with the same output has to move only 1,370 kg (DIN). Against this, the 1,530 kg (DIN) of the BMW M3 GTS seems almost flabby.
Luckily for all ambitious club sport drivers, G-POWER is the sole tuner in the world being able to resolve this shortcoming. With our more than 25-years experience in the BMW sector, we are the world’s number one address when it comes to supercharger systems for BMW vehicles in general and M models in particular.
The high-revving V8 power unit of the BMW M3 GTS has proven itself as the ideal starting point for the forced induction technology practiced by G-POWER with ASA superchargers. Because the engine with a 10% greater displacement of 4.4l has got even larger reserves that can be used for an additional output increase than the 4.0l standards M3 power unite, that has successfully managed full throttle test bench drives for more than 350 hour non-stop and therefore is rightly well-known for its durability.
A version of the renowned and globally proven G-POWER M3 “Sporty Drive” supercharger system, adapted specifically for the BMW M3 GTS raises the standard output from 450 hp to 635 hp and 630 Nm of torque. The ex works reinforced engine block of the BMW M3 GTS along with a forged crankshaft and reinforced con rods are the basis for this increase of the output maximum from 600 HP (standard M3) to 635 HP (M3 GTS).
Speaking of strength and durability it needs to be mentioned that the featured ASA superchargers can easily compete with the qualities of the engine basis coming from BMW. ASA superchargers are used not only in the ALPINA B5S, B6S and B7S models, but also in the ALPINA B6 GT3. In ALPINA’s works race car, the ASA supercharger has already provided impressive proof of its reliability and quality in competition over a distance of 3,500 km through the “Green Hell” – at the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring. The exclusive application of OEM-quality components is a fundamental element of the G-POWER philosophy.
But it is not just the OEM-quality of the used components that ensures the exceptionally high quality, reliability and durability of the G-POWER products. A major contribution to it comes from our engineering process that meets to industry standards, starting with the CAD engineering, followed by the prototyping and ending with test drives on the Autobahn and in hot climate countries like Saudi Arabia.
A particular highlight of this engineering process is the use of the instrumentation of our technology partner AVL, by the way G-POWER being the only BMW tuner world wide to use this equipment. It measures the exact peak pressure that develops in the combustion chamber. With this information at hand the engineers were able to develop a custom-made software for the ECU, that keeps the peak pressure in the combustion chamber of a M3 power unite equipped with a G-POWER “Sporty Drive” supercharger system similar to the stock figures. So overstraining is not an issue.
More than 3000 sold G-POWER supercharger systems and the high customer satisfaction state that the huge effort made during our engineering process are worthwhile.
On the exhaust side, a lightweight, all-titanium exhaust system made by G-POWER delivers the necessary reduction in exhaust back pressure. The exhaust, developed specifically to suit the requirements of the SK II supercharger system, is equipped with 100 cpsi metal catalytic converters. The engine control unit software, which controls the setup for the V8, was also developed by G-POWER for the BMW M3 GTS.
In combination with the G-POWER SK II “Sporty Drive” supercharger system, this kind of high-revving V8 is nothing short of stunning. The “Sporty Drive” technology, developed by G-POWER for the G-POWER supercharger systems retains the unique performance characteristics of the M power unit. Compared with the series-production version, the addition of a G-POWER supercharger system delivers further improved response to even the tiniest movement of the gas pedal, plus absolutely no restrictions in its aggressive high revving under full load and progressive power delivery right up to the rev limiter. In addition to these features, the increased output of the V8 engine delivered by the G-POWER supercharger system also comes with a significant plus in mid-range torque. Especially when accelerating out of a slow corner, this feature of “Sporty Drive” technology will leave competitors to G-POWER M3 GTS drivers looking on in despair.
The performance figures, too, are designed to drive fear into the hearts of the competition. The G-POWER M3 GTS with 635 hp completes the standard sprints from 0-100 km/h and 0-200 km/h in 4.2s and 11.9s. Even more impressive: from 100 km/h to 200 km/h it takes the G-POWER M3 GTS 2.2s less than the standard M3 GTS. Top speed is 323 km/h. These figures have been clocked by a German car journal during their latest test of the G-POWER M3 GTS.
Further modifications to the series-production suspension and wheels of the BMW M3 GTS were not undertaken, as the standard M-GmbH setup already guarantees perfect balance and race-ready handling. It was only the shortage of power that was preventing faster lap times. With 635 hp, the hunt for lap time records is now on, like the car journal “sport auto” has proven with a new fastest lap for BMW M3s on the Hockenheim circuit. It took the G-POWER M3 GTS, equipped with MICHELIN standard street tires, just 1.11,8 min to complete the lap. But this lap time doesn’t show the huge potential of the G-POWER M3 GTS at all. Equipped with matching Cup tires and an adjusted suspension, one to two seconds faster laps are absolutely realistic.
The price for the 635 hp G-POWER SK II supercharger system for the BMW M3 GTS is EUR 23,500.000 (excl. tax) plus installation.
G-POWER M3 GTS with SK II “Sporty Drive” supercharger system
- 635 hp / 467 kW @ 7,800 r/min (+ 185 hp / 136 kW)
- 630 Nm 3,900 r/min (+ 190 Nm)
- Top speed: 323 km/h
- 0-100 km/h: 4.2s
- 0-200 km/h: 11.9s
- G-POWER SK II “Sporty Drive” supercharger system : € 23,500.00 (excl. tax) plus installation
[Source : G-POWER]
