Miguel Sánchez
As soon as you see it one might think that the BMW E36 M3 Lightweight was born by and for sportsmanship. However, that is not entirely true. And, despite being a lightweight design with enviable performance on the track, this German car aimed at the American market had its genesis in the restrictions dictated by emissions regulations.
An unexpected fluke that nevertheless ended up producing one of the most competitive and special versions of what, for a good part of the fans, is the most technically accomplished M3. In short, a story that is well worth delving into step by step so, first of all, it is best to place ourselves in the 1993 DTM.
Equipped with new, more liberal regulations regarding technological experimentation, the German championship was the most interesting of all those contested by modified touring cars on the European continent. A whole playground for engineers from Mercedes, Opel and even Alfa Romeo; capable of putting on the tracks some of the best competition machines created during the nineties.
Likewise, BMW saw here a perfect possibility to promote its new M3. Even more so if we look at the rules of the class. ADAC GT, where only the production of a single street unit was required in order to be able to participate in a competition where the technical parameters followed an air as open as that of the extinct Group B during the previous decade.
GTR, THE E36 M3 PUT ON THE TRACKS
To begin with, BMW technicians provided the GTR homologated at the end of 1992 with completely new aerodynamics. Fins connected by side skirts, new bottoms and even a spectacular spoiler with which to clearly say that Here we were faced with something very different from what was offered in the dealerships..
Regarding the mechanics, the six-cylinder atmospheric rose from the standard 286 HP to around 350 HP Also incorporating all kinds of reinforcements in the chassis as well as completely new competition suspensions. In short, a determined bet with which BMW won six of the eight races scheduled for the ADAC that year.
Likewise, although BMW removed the GTR from its official program for the following season, the units sold to private teams obtained a lot of successes in touring car races adapted to both sides of the Atlantic. A story similar to the checkered flag that, although not reaching the level interpreted by the ancients 3.0CSL, hinted at BMW's impetus for racing.
PROBLEMS IN THE UNITED STATES
Given what we've seen, it would be logical to think of a meteoric rise for the E36 M3 in America. However, its history there would be short-lived due to the restrictions imposed by environmental regulations. Much less permissive than the prevailing average in Europe, this condemned the E36 engine as had already happened to many other European models previously.
What's more, since the sixties, many brands had invested enormous sums of money in pursuit of adapt emissions from their models to federal legislation. Something in which the work in relation to the catalyzing of gases and, especially, the massive application of direct injection.
However, when the E1992 M36 appeared on the European market in 3 with its 286 hp at 7.000 rpm, BMW management I was not clear about limiting it in order to adapt it to American demands. In fact he decided not to sell it on the other side of the Atlantic.
In any case, and since where the economy rules, technology does not rule, just 13 months later they went through the hoop presenting for the United States a version lowered to 240 HP. 47 HP more than those exhibited by the 328i although, of course, enough to be known to be far behind what is set by the European units.
COMPETE IN THE IMSA AND A GT VERSION FOR APPROVAL
After the success experienced in 1993, those responsible for competition at BMW decided to enter a prepared version of the E36 M3 in the American IMSA GT series. Something for which a non-negligible number of series units was needed, thus giving rise to the creation of the E36 M3 GT.
Recognizable thanks to some aerodynamic details such as its spoiler with two tabs to achieve more downforce, its six cylinders reached here up to the 295 CV thanks to an improved camshaft. And yes, that had an excellent run since, although in 1995 the results were meager, in 1996 that BMW began to occupy the first positions in almost all the events where it was entered.
Likewise, the little more than 350 series units put on the market fueled the good image of the E36 M3, giving it a version that was not only scarce but also more performance-oriented than the normal one. Yes indeed, On a commercial level this happened in Europe since, while American homologation was achieved for competition, for its sale in dealerships it still did not exceed environmental standards.
BMW E36 M3 LIGHTWEIGHT, A STREET VERSION FOR THE AMERICAN CUSTOMER
Those successes on the racetrack were undoubtedly fantastic, but at the same time, they only generated even greater frustration among the potential E36 M3 clientele in the United States. In this context, BMW contacted the Virginia coach in 1995. PTG Racing so that it could exercise the function of partner for development in local competitions.
Exactly the point where the genesis of the BMW E36 M3 Lightweight came because, beyond the official units under high competition specifications, there was a certain public yearning for a registrable version of the E36 M3 to which, with a few adjustments, could be introduced with guarantees on the track.
In short, something very much in the tradition of the racing-client and that in this case had to be done respecting the legislation responsible for limiting the power of the three-liter engine to 240 HP. So things are, since they could not increase the absolute power of the vehicle What they did was reduce their weight as much as possible. To begin with, the cabin was made much more spartan and air conditioning and sound system were also dispensed with.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WEIGHT / POWER RATIO
After removing everything non-essential, the PTG Racing Lightweight - commissioned for this version under the supervision of BMW - reduced its weight by up to 122 kilos regarding the E36 M3 sold in Europe. Enough to offset the 46 HP lost due to environmental restrictions while ensuring dual street-circuit use.
And, as Colin Chapman or even Alpine with its winning models in the efficiency index, reducing weight can be even more decisive than increasing power when we are not talking about top speed but about handling in curves and driving sensations. By the way, only about 36 units of the E3 M115 Lightweigt were manufactured, so it also has the honor of being an even scarcer version than the desired and high-performance GT.
BMW E36 M3 Lightweight images: barrett jackson
