The engine and gearbox technology also gets a weight treatment. The engine uses lightweight, but high-strength, materials. The engine block is manufactured alongside F1 engines at BMW's light-alloy foundry at Landshut, Germany. This new V8 engine weighs just 202kgs, that's 15kgs less than the six-cylinder engine it replaces.

The front axle components of the M3 Coupé are made from aluminium. Even the five-link rear axle, normally constructed from high-strength steel, has aluminium components to save weight. BMW claims that the control arms and dampers alone are 2.5kgs lighter than conventional parts. All these features might seem like a lot of technology, but from behind the driver's seat there is an obvious power ability. The car handles extremely well and copes with smaller roads with a better feedback than you can experience on better motorway type roads.

As a Coupé, the M3 is not for the family. Seats in front are firm and come with all the necessary adjustments, electric powered of course. Rear seat passengers have to cope with the squeeze, but that was the price many were prepared to pay for a drive in the M3 supercar. Despite the fuel efficiency claims, the M3 Coupé comes with a CO2 rating of 295 g/km. That pushes the car into Band G for VRT and motor tax purposes. Price increases will be on the way from 1 July and road tax will also take a lift to €2,000 per year.

The M3 Coupé is a car that's in the dock. This is a great car to drive but not very practical to own. With a list price of €104,100 and rising, BMW's aim of keeping the M3 customer base an elite one will be easy.

Top speed: 250km/hr
0 – 100km/hr: 4.8 seconds
Economy: 12.4 l/100km
CO2 emissions: 295g/km
Price: €104,100 rising to €112,416 in July

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