BMW M3 E46 CSL

 The E46 M3, first introduced in October, 2000, appeared worldwide with the new 3.2 L S54 M-tuned engine. At the time of the car's introduction, this engine had the highest specific output naturally aspirated engine ever made by BMW, producing 333 horsepower (248 kW) and 365 N·m (269 lb·ft).

 he E46 M3 was offered with a standard 6-speed GETRAG transmission, but optionally came with a SMG drivelogic transmission (also known as the SMG II). This is the standard 6-speed GETRAG transmission with an electrohydraulically actuated clutch pedal. Shifts are made via the SMG gear knob or the steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. The engine had a redline of 8,000 rpm. As with most M engines, the S54 again had 6 independent throttle bodies and this time electronically operated throttles (drive-by-wire throttle with no cable). Of interesting note the Double VANOS system used on the E46 was developed with Jamie Gray.

In the US, the E46 M3 came with similar engine output as the European version, unlike in the E36, whose engine was derived from the M50/52 series engine. Power was now at 333 bhp (248 kW; 338 PS) due to an extra catalytic converter. In 2009, Road and Track Magazine announced the 2006 M3 with the SMG transmission as its favorite sports car of all time.

E46 performance

The M3's S54 naturally aspirated engine produces more than 100 horsepower (75 kW) per litre (343 horsepower (256 kW)/3.2 litre).