BMW M3 CRT - Light in the darkness

This BMW M3 sedan is more special than usual. Not only does it have more horsepower, 450 to the standard 414. And more torque: 324 lb-ft versus 295. It’s also around 150 pounds lighter than the stock M3 four-door, thanks to carbon fiber and plastics reinforced with the stuff. The car’s full name is the M3 CRT, or Carbon Racing Technology. Special lightweight honeycomb constructs replace various components: The hood is 50 percent lighter than an aluminum item, and the front bucket seats have CF shells. New techniques and materials for making light-yet-strong parts will be more evident once BMW releases its low-consumption/low-emissions “i” cars in 2013. Only 67 M3 CRT models will be made, with none of those expected to reach this far west.