While the new M5 will be BMW's main attraction at the Nürburgring 24-hour race this weekend, another surprise is this lighter and sharper version of the M3 Sedan.
BMW calls it the M3 CRT, short for carbon racing technology, and this car pioneers a new production process for the widespread use of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) which, among other measures, reduces the car's weight by 70kg to 1580kg.
The high-revving 4360cc V8 beneath the bonnet is also a notch above the similar unit in the M3 Sedan. Poached from the M3 GTS Coupe, the powerhouse puts out 331kW at 8300rpm and 440Nm at 3750rpm. Power is sent to the back wheels via a seven-speed M DCT dual clutch transmission.
While those factors alone make this a much wilder family sedan, the M3 Sedan's underpinnings are further enhanced by a rigid rear axle subframe and dampers that are individually adjustable in their compression and rebound.
What's more, a reduction of weight at the front of the car benefits agility with 48.4 percent of the car's bulk now sitting over the rear axle.
Setting the M3 CRT apart visually is an exclusive Frozen Polar Silver exterior paint in combination with Melbourne Red metallic applications and special treatment for the kidney grille upfront. Numerous exclusive touches also spruce up the cabin.
However don't get your hopes of ownership up too high - with just 67 units slated for production, it's unlikely that we'll see it in South Africa.