2011 BMW M3 'Facelift' gets Start-Stop Tech and New Competition Package

The term 'facelift' is actually too much of a stretch for the 2011 M3 range that comprises of the Coupe, Sedan and Convertible, as there are far less changes than on the recently launched 2011 3-Series Coupe and Convertible models.

To sum up the upgrades, all three body styles of the M3 gain a new Auto Start Stop function that promises to reduce average fuel consumption and CO2 levels, while the Coupe and Convertible get modified LED tail lights and the Coupe and Sedan an optional Competition Package that sharpens handling.

In more detail, BMW the M3's 420-horsepower 4.0-liter high-revving V8 benefits from the addition of a start-stop function that switches off the engine when the vehicle comes to a halt.

The Auto Start Stop system is used both in vehicles with standard 6-speed manual transmission and in conjunction with the M dual clutch transmission with Drivelogic, making the M3 the first non-hybrid Bimmer (ActiveHybrid X6 and ActiveHybrid 7) to use this technology in combination with an automated manual transmission.

BMW claims that that the start-stop system reduces the average fuel consumption and CO2 levels of the BMW M3 by up to 8 per cent or 24 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

As an example, the Bavarian automaker said that both the M3 Coupe and Sedan with 7-speed M dual clutch transmission now achieves an average fuel consumption on the EU test cycle of 11.2 lt/100km (21mpg US), and 12.4 lt/100km (19 mpg US) with the 6-speed manual gearbox.

In the case of the BMW M3 Convertible, the average fuel consumption is reduced to 11.5 liters (20.4 mpg US) with the dual clutch transmission and 12.7 litres (18.5 mpg US) with the 6-speed manual transmission.

Furthermore, the German company presented an optional Competition Package and a new range of items from the Original BMW Accessories program for the Coupe and Sedan M3s.

The Competition Package adds a suspension lowered by some 10mm and light alloy wheels in the size 9 x 19 inches at the front and Y-spoke design at the rear.

In addition, the control of the electronic damper adjustment function EDC includes a Sport mode specially developed for the Competition Package. It is said to adjust the chassis modifications by means of map-based control and the driving stability control function DSC.

As for the new optional items, the list includes among other things, a rear spoiler and front apron flaps in carbon.