POWERPLAY IN BRITISH RACING GREEN.

The high-performance coupé was only available in one colour: the BMW shade with the code 312 – British Racing Green. This applied to all of the 356 vehicles produced (including the five pre-production models). The rare special edition can thus basically be identified by its paintwork. In addition, there were specially made front and rear spoilers, along with aerodynamically optimized mirrors and M double-spoke aluminium forged wheels in the format 7,5J x 17" at the front and 8,5J x 17" at the rear which were only available as special extras in the M3 series. With tyres of the size of 235/40 ZR17, in the mid-90s the sports car gained the respect of observers even when merely parked. Another difference to the standard model was the front indicators, in white glass instead of yellow. Indistinguishable from the standard models were the weight-optimized doors made of aluminium.

In the colour-coordinated interior, the eye is immediately caught by the Amaretta sports seats in Mexico Green nappa leather, along with the high-quality décor trim made of carbon. In contrast to the civil BMW M3 E36, the GT model was never available as a four-door limousine.

25 years after the launch of the BMW M3 GT E36, the vehicle still radiates a fascinating dynamism today. That’s not only down to the clear design, which with a few precise lines is particularly timeless, but also the performance – it’s hard to believe you’re sitting in a sports car that is already a quarter of a century old: The M3 GT’s sprint qualities still thrill drivers today, the large-volume engine’s elasticity can be felt with every overtaking manoeuvre. Underlined by the great sound of the normally aspirated 6-cylinder engine, a unique driving feel is created that still enchants motorsports enthusiasts today.

The reason for this is also to be found in the puristic character of the M3 GT E36: the lack of electronic driving assistance allows drivers with skilful hands to experience and enjoy the “pure doctrine”. This makes the coupé a car for sports drivers to the core.

For the US market, M GmbH created a separate version of the BMW M3 GT, the BMW M3 LTW. Between August and October 1995, precisely 126 cars were built. LTW stands for “Lightweight” and the car is true to its name. The vehicle is characterized by heavily reduced features: air-conditioning and sunroof were unavailable in the M3 LTW, as were a radio or alarm system. Using a thinner carpet for the interior and less insulation material meant that the vehicle’s weight was reduced to under 1,350 Kg. Less weight, and also less power: The slim M3 LTW’s revised M50B25 engine, which came from the BMW 325i, has 243 hp and thus a little less than the S50B30 of the German sister model. In Europe British Racing Green, in the USA gleaming white: The M3 LTW was only supplied in colour code 146 – Alpine White. Original examples of the car can also be identified by the chequered flag décor on bonnet and boot in the typical M colours.

The best-known owner of a BMW M3 LTW was probably Hollywood actor Paul Walker, who died in 2013. An avid sports car enthusiast, Walker’s car collection included five of the rare lightweight coupés.