The Reveal

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The BMW M3 GTR (E46) that raced in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) is one of the most legendary and controversial cars in BMW Motorsport history. Here’s a detailed breakdown:

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Development & Purpose
	•	BMW built the M3 GTR specifically to compete in the GT class of ALMS in 2001.
	•	At the time, Porsche dominated GT racing with the 911 GT3-RS, and BMW wanted a competitive edge.
	•	To do this, BMW created a heavily modified M3 based on the E46 chassis, but fitted it with an all-new 4.0 L naturally aspirated V8 engine (P60B40) producing about 493 hp (368 kW) — far more powerful than the standard inline-six of road M3s.

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Technical Highlights
	•	Engine: 4.0 L V8, dry sump, ~493 hp at 7,500 rpm.
	•	Chassis: Based on the E46 M3 but with carbon fiber body panels, flared arches, and extensive aero upgrades.
	•	Weight: Around 1,135 kg (2,500 lbs).
	•	Transmission: 6-speed sequential gearbox.
	•	Performance: 0–60 mph in ~3.4 seconds, top speed over 190 mph depending on track setup.

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Racing Success in ALMS (2001 Season)
	•	The M3 GTR debuted in the 2001 ALMS season.
	•	Despite starting late, it proved extremely fast, winning 7 out of 10 races in the GT category.
	•	BMW’s most famous victory came at the Petit Le Mans (Road Atlanta).
	•	The car was run by Schnitzer Motorsport and PTG (Prototype Technology Group) teams.

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The Controversy
	•	Rival teams (especially Porsche) protested BMW’s entry.
	•	ALMS regulations required manufacturers to build at least 100 road cars and 1,000 engines for homologation.
	•	BMW sidestepped this by creating only 10 road-going versions of the M3 GTR (all for Europe, not for U.S. sale), leading many to call it a “homologation special loophole.”
	•	In 2002, regulations were changed to require stricter homologation, effectively banning the M3 GTR from GT competition.

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Legacy
	•	Though it only raced for one full ALMS season, the M3 GTR became legendary for its raw speed and rarity.
	•	Only 10 street-legal versions were built (sometimes called the “Strassenversion”), making it one of BMW’s rarest cars.
	•	It lives on in pop culture through games like Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005), where it became an icon as the “hero car.”

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