Straight Six June 2020 Members Edition

Page 29

Feature

T

ech fans and car lovers know that if you give engineers free reign every now and then, extraordinarily exciting things can come as a result – take BMW’s Z1 and Z3 M Coupe for instance. Limits are pushed and surpassed, standards are redefined. As an exercise in pushing the boundaries of what was technically possible, 1996’s BMW M3 E36 Compact is impressive proof of this. While some say it was too far ahead of its time (and others may argue it was perhaps a little too lively!), the car still provided an exciting glimpse into the future. The heart and soul of the M3 Compact is of course, its engine. The inline 6-cylinder engine (S50B32) borrowed from the iconic

M3 Evo Coupé provided a hefty 321bhp when roused with the right foot. If the car had ever gone into series production, however, engineers would probably have had to dial down its power in order to improve drivability. Due to the compact dimensions and low weight, it quickly became clear during test drives that the M3 Compact was an innovation best left in the hands of experienced drivers only. It also would have been very difficult to market - how could you sell a car that is lighter, quicker, more alive, and of course, cheaper, than the hero car it borrowed its drivetrain from? With its extraordinarily drivable overall package and the progressive, almost rebellious design of the prototype, BMW

M wanted the M3 Compact to inspire a younger customer base in particular. With that in mind, considerations like comfort and space were pushed down the pecking order and fun factor were brought to the fore. Achieving maximum sporty appearance and uncompromisingly agile handling was the main aim of the day. It’s with good reason that many fans regard this high-performance car as a pioneer and the forerunner of iconic models such as the 1 Series M Coupé, M2, M140i and M135i. Not least because with the M3 Compact’s significantly shorter body, BMW M engineers achieved tangible improvements: the prototype weighs 150kgs less than the E36 M3 Evo Coupé. In addition to its light weight of 1,300kgs, one of the M3 Compact’s trump cards is that reduced length. The rear overhang of the prototype is a good 230mm shorter than the Coupé, making it more agile thanks to less active mass behind the axle. However, while it is often reported that the wheelbase is also shorter than

RED-HOT HATCH! The BMW E36 M3 Compact never went into series production, and yet its impact is still felt today. Long before small hatchbacks with over 200hp became a favourite with the yoof and petrolheads alike, it already offered everything that makes this class of vehicle so popular. So it’s no surprise that many view it as the pioneer of the successful models that followed, such as the BMW’s 1 Series M Coupé, M2 and the M140i/M135i. Words BMW-M.com / Jeff Heywood – Photos BMW Press

www.bmwcarclubgb.uk

BMW Car Club Magazine June 2020

29


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