Before the E90 M3 came along and brought the V8 with it, BMW were already putting eights in their M3s. Just very, very few of them.

Three E46 M3 GTRs are believed to exist, and M Division now owns all of them.

From the outside, it just looks like a slightly crankier E46 M3, but under the bonnet…

BMW E46 M3 GTR engine

This in a car that weighs 1350kg.

It could accelerate to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds – half a second faster than the normal M3.

BMW E46 M3 GTR front

With a goal of 10 cars, BMW probably would have struggled not only to build the extra seven (or so) in time, but also to sell them. They were priced (back then) at 250,000 Euros.

BMW E46 M3 GTR rear

Underneath, a wider track and stiffer suspension give the car proper race credentials, as well as 12.8-inch cross-drilled vented disc brakes with compound callipers. 19-inch alloy wheels were borrowed from the regular M3.