Limited-edition M3 is Pure BMW

BMW Australia has announced ‘Pure Edition’ versions of its fire-breathing M3 sedan and coupe, priced at up to $17,300 lower than the models upon which they are based.

Production of both Pure M3s will be limited to just 100 vehicles for Australia – including 50 coupes and 50 convertibles – before first local deliveries take place in early 2011.

The timing of BMW Australia’s M3 Pure Edition announcement is likely to spoil the release of at least one of two Mercedes-Benz models to be revealed at the Sydney motor show on September 30, including a C63 AMG-based special likely to be similar in concept to the UK’s DR 520.

Claimed to be specifically designed for Australia, both Pure Edition M3s will come with 19-inch M double-spoke alloy wheels with exclusive Black High-Gloss finish and 245/35 R19 tyres up front (265/35 R19 tyres at the rear), a bonnet air intake in Black High-Gloss, a BMW Individual kidney grille in Dark Chrome, BMW Individual side gills in Dark Chrome and BMW Individual exhaust tips in Dark Chrome.

Extending the even more sporting theme to the interior of both cars is a unique new standard upholstery - Anthracite cloth with black leather – while the head restraints are trimmed in black Novillo leather and embossed with the BMW M symbol.

This Pure special-edition will be available in Alpine White and Black exterior paint colours, although metallic colours including Le Mans Blue, Silverstone, Space Grey, Melbourne Red, Jerez Black, Mineral White and Interlagos Blue will be offered as optional extras.

There are no changes to the M3’s legendary 309kW/400Nm 4.0-litre V8 – or the 4.8 and 4.9-second claimed 0-100km/h sprint times for the M3 coupe and sedan respectively - but 2010 model year M3 additions including brake energy regeneration and an automatic idle-stop function will be standard.

Both cars will also come with high-performance ventilated and perforated compound disc brakes, the variable M differential lock and, on the coupe, a carbonfibre-reinforced plastic roof.

The M3 Coupe Pure Edition manual will be priced at $148,300 – precisely $10,000 less than the standard M3 Coupe ($158,300) – while Pure Edition M3 Sedan is set at $135,000 – some $17,300 less than the M3 sedan ($152,300) it is based on.