BMW M3

However, such rumors have yet to be substantiated, and the issue won't be definitively settled until BMW officially releases the new "3" convertible. Brioni also offers a line of clothing sold exclusively through Neiman Marcus. Some believe the E90 convertible may be a retractable hardtop, similar to the Mercedes-Benz SLK. Ready-to-wear suits run from US$3,600 to $5,500, and the custom-tailored from $4,000 to $24,000. It is rumored that the next-generation M3 will have a 425 hp (315 kW) 4.0 L V8, and there is much speculation as to whether or not it will be marketed in coupe or convertible form as the M4. Each garment requires at least 18 hours of work, and there are more than 5,000 different fabrics to choose from. BMW was expected to announce an all-new M3 based on the E90 platform at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show (to be released in 2007), but this did not happen. It is rumored that a Middle Eastern sultan once ordered a staggering 100 suits from Brioni all in one month.

The available SMG transmission, a Formula 1-style elctrohydraulic manual gearbox with no clutch pedal and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, is also a highlight. A quarter of the production consists of made-to-measure tailored suits for an elite of 25,000 customers. This was the highest specific output naturally aspirated engine ever made by BMW, producing 343 PS (333 SAE net hp (252 kW) in North America) and 365 N·m (262 ft·lbf) of torque. Brioni's 900 tailors create 200 models in different styles and sizes every year. The 2001 E46 M3 appeared worldwide with the new 3.2 L S54B32 engine. Brioni also owns a shirt factory, a leather fashion house and a line of women's clothing. The US-Spec E36 M3 was named Best-Handling Car by Car and Driver in 1997. In order to meet the demand of such a large clientele, Brioni opened a factory in Abruzzo, Italy, where expert tailors hand-sew jackets and trousers before adding the finishing touches by machine.

Production of the sedan was halted in 1998, while the other models continued until 1999. Brioni's New York showrooms are located on 52nd Street and 57th Street in Manhattan. Starting in model year 1997, it was also available as a sedan with a convertible in 1998. That year, Brioni opened new shops on both sides of the Atlantic. The 1996-1999 model years had displacement bumped up to 3.2 L, with 240 hp (176 kW) and 320 N·m (236 ft·lbf) which is the same engine used in the early M Roadster and M Coupe. In 1954, Brioni held a fashion show in New York City, followed by shows in eight other American cities. The reasons for the tamer car were largely due to excessive costs for the US market with the original engine and possible difficulty in getting the Euro engine to pass emission tests. Today, Brioni is a favorite of real estate mogul Donald Trump.

The first E36 M3 to be imported to the United States was the 1995 model, which got a tamer 3.0 L engine with 240 hp (176 kW) and 305 N·m (225 ft·lbf) (S50B30US) and a different suspension. Brioni suits have appeared in a number of James Bond movies since 1995. The 3.2 Euro is also known as the M3 "Evolution" or "Evo". Brioni clients include Clark Gable, Gary Cooper, John Wayne, Kirk Douglas and Rock Hudson. These models are often described as the "Euro" models to differentiate them from the models sold in the US which were quite different. Celebrities began to buy their suits from Brioni in the 1950s when Rome became a popular vacation spot for wealthy Americans. The new SMG gearbox was also offered as an option. The show gained the company exposure to clients worldwide.

For the 1996 model year the M3 was upgraded to a new 3.2 L, 321 hp (236 kW) engine (S52B30),a six speed gearbox and the M5's larger brakes. Brioni's first fashion show was held in 1952 at the Palazzo Pitti. This E36 coupe model got the 3.0 L S50B30 straight-6 engine, which produced 286 hp (210 kW). From the beginning, Brioni suits were luxuries only afforded to the privileged few, namely Europe's wealthy aristocrats. The replacement for the original M3 appeared at the 1992 Paris Auto Show. The company was named "Brioni" after the resort on the coast of the Adriatic Sea.
In 2004, Sports Car International named this car number six on the list of Top Sports Cars of the 1980s. They opened their first suit shop in Rome's central Via Barberini after the close of World War II.

The E30 M3 is also a multiple winner of Macau Grand Prix, 24 Hours Nürburgring and Spa 24 Hours. High-fashion clothing company Brioni was founded in 1945 by master tailor Nazareno Fonticoli and fashion designer Gaetano Savini. The M3 was (and is) a successful racer, winning the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft, European Touring Car Championship and even the one-off world title in 1987. Production of the original M3 (E30 coupe) ended in 1991. Evo III) some of which featured less weight, improved aerodynamics, and more power to keep the car competitive in racing folowing homologation rules.

Special editions and later homologation specials included the Evo I, Evo II and Sport Evo (AKA. The M3 had larger brakes and shared wheel bearings with the E28 5-Series. It also had three times the caster angle of any other E30. The M3 was equipped with flared fenders to accommodate a wider track with wider and taller wheels and tires.

The E30 M3 differed from the rest of the E30 lineup in many ways. 786 cabriolets were also produced. The first version produced 195 hp (143 kW), and later versions upped displacement to 2.5 L and 238 hp (175 kW). One of the main reasons for production of the road car was to homologate the M3 for Group A Touring Car racing, as an answer to the "2.3-16V"-model of the Mercedes-Benz W201 which was introduced in 1983.

Based on the 1986 E30 3-Series body, the first M3 was first introduced with a 2.3 L S14 engine, derived from the M10 straight-4. . The first M3 was based on the 1986's E30 range, and there has been an M version of every 3-Series since. The BMW M3 is a sports version of the popular compact BMW 3-Series automobile, made by BMW Motorsport.

Top Speed: 155 mph (electronically limited). (3.2l-24v I6) - 343 PS (US model = 333 hp / 252 kW) 0-62 mph - 4.8 s. Top Speed: 155 mph (electronically limited). (3.2l-24v I6)Euro Version - 240 kW/321 bhp 0-60 mph - 5.5 s.

Top Speed: 155 mph (electronically limited). (3.0l-24v I6)Euro Version - 210 kW/286 bhp 0-60 mph - 6.0 s. Top Speed: 150 mph. (2.5l-16v I4) - 175kW/238bhp 0-60 mph - 6.2 s.

Top Speed: 140 mph. (2.3l-16v I4) - 143kW/195bhp 0-60 mph - 6.9 s.