Bmw M3 E46 Gtr V8 Engine

Editorial Team Mar 08, 2026
The ALMS BMW M3 GTR V8 engine at North American International Auto Show ...
The ALMS BMW M3 GTR V8 engine at North American International Auto Show ... Source: www.motorsport.com
Racecarsdirect.com - BMW M3 GTR V8
Racecarsdirect.com - BMW M3 GTR V8 Source: racecarsdirect.com

The most important benchmark for the configuration of the BMW M3 GTR Strassenversion was the use of the same V8 engine as in the racing version. In order for the M3 GTR race car to compete in the American Le Mans Series, BMW produced 10 examples of the "M3 GTR Straßen Version" road car in 2001. [5] As per the race M3 GTR, the roadgoing Version was powered by the BMW P60B40 4.0 L V8 engine.

Racecarsdirect.com - BMW E46 M3 GTR V8 S65-Built by Geoff Steel racing
Racecarsdirect.com - BMW E46 M3 GTR V8 S65-Built by Geoff Steel racing Source: racecarsdirect.com

The P60B40 was detuned for the road version from 444 bhp (331 kW; 450 PS) to 380 bhp (283 kW; 385 PS). Motorsport Did you know the E46 BMW M3 GTR's V8 was designed by an ex-Porsche engineer? BMW USA reveals this wild tale of how it took on HQ, and long-time rivals Porsche, with the V8 E46 Vijay. The BMW E46 M3 GTR of 2001 is one of the coolest cars that has ever worn an M badge.

2001 BMW M3 GTR V8 AT OSLO MOTORSHOW 2016 | Gatebil
2001 BMW M3 GTR V8 AT OSLO MOTORSHOW 2016 | Gatebil Source: gatebil.no

The GTR was created to help BMW use a V8 engine on the track after it could no longer extract enough horsepower. BMW created the E46 M3 GTR Strassenversion with a naturally aspirated 4.0 L P60B40 V8 featuring a 90-degree block, flat-plane crankshaft, forged internals, and dry sump. The P60 V8 in the GTR Strassenversion was similar to the race motor however it was detuned.

BMW E46 M3 GTR at Legends of the Autobahn
BMW E46 M3 GTR at Legends of the Autobahn Source: www.bmwblog.com

The BMW P60B40 is more than just an engine-it's a symbol of motorsport dominance. With 700 horsepower, a lightweight V8 design, and a dry sump system, this beast powered the legendary M3 GTR to victory. So powerful that it was banned from ALMS racing, this engine remains one of BMW's finest engineering masterpieces.

The E46 M3 GTR Transformed More Regular Folks Into BMW Fans Than Any ...
The E46 M3 GTR Transformed More Regular Folks Into BMW Fans Than Any ... Source: www.autoevolution.com

BMW M3 GTR [E46] An E46 GTR came to life in February 2001, powered by the P60B40 a 3,997 cc V8 producing 444 hp (368 kW; 450 PS). Unlike the straight-six powered M3 versions, which were outpaced by the Porsche 996 GT3, the racing version of the E46 M3 GTR 53 was very successful in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), entered by Schnitzer Motorsport.As a result of these races, BMW Motorsport. The goal: homologate a car with the brand-new P60B40 V8 engine - something no regular E46 M3 ever had.

Unveiling the Timeless E46 M3 GTR: A Priceless Masterpiece in ...
Unveiling the Timeless E46 M3 GTR: A Priceless Masterpiece in ... Source: www.topspeed.com

BMW made a road version (the Straßenversion) just to tick the rules boxes. And ticked they did: very few, very loud, very special ones. The heart of the beast is the 4.0-litre P60B40, a naturally aspirated V8 developed by BMW Motorsport.

The BMW M3 GTR was a road-going version of the BMW M3 GTR racing car. It was launched as a small series of just ten vehicles and was primarily used to homologate the new V8 engine (P60B40). The super lightweight compact engine made entirely of aluminium was throttled to 380 hp in the road.

The P60B40 is the V8 Powerplant of the E46 BMW GTR. The race engine configuration in the ALMS GTR produced 444-470HP. Usage The P60B40 was the powertrain for the BMW E46 M3 GTR from 2001 to 2005.

The BMW M3 GTR competed in the GT2 Class of the American Le Mans Series in 2001. There was opposition to the car being allowed to race, rivals stated that the car was a prototype as a road going.