When BMW announced the newest M3 Coupe last year, it quickly followed with this retractable hardtop version. Where the Coupe has a carbon fiber roof, the retractable hardtop mechanism adds significant weight--441 pounds.
As the sport version of BMW's 3-series, the M3 gets a few performance design touches, such as a big air intake below the grille and a hood bulge, needed for the M3's larger engine.
The M3's 4-liter V-8 is an impressive piece of work, putting out 414 horsepower at 8,300rpm and 295 foot-pounds of torque at 3,900rpm, plenty to get the car moving fast off the line.
Although sports car aficionados might object to the convertible top, it does let you hear the engine better. But the top does add weight, and when down stows in the trunk, shifting the car's balance toward the rear.
The M3 can be had with optional electronic damping control, which lets you set the suspension between three modes, comfort, normal, and sport. Normal adjusts for the current type of driving.
Our test car came with the optional double-clutch transmission, a manual transmission with two computer-operated clutches. It still drives like a manual, but you don't have to press a clutch.
The Power button is standard for the M3, and sharpens throttle response, while the EDC buttons, for the electronic damping control, are an option. The button behind the shifter changes the transmission program.
