BMW M3 Ute

csv8 · 07-04-2011, 09:55 AM

A HOT BMW ute, debuted by BMW on April 1, has become one of the best April Fool's Day jokes of 2011. Because the joke is on you.

That white ute, built on a 3-Series platform, is real. Yes, it's a concept but it's also a fully-functional car. It's also not the only BMW ute. Yes, Australian golfer Stuart Appleby has one - a 2000 E39 M5 beheaded and bedded in 2008 by Deniliquin-based custom shop Southern Rod - but BMW has done the deed before.

It chopped a sad E30 M3 of 1986 to become a work car that could haul parts around the factory. It's now even sadder and sits in a corner of a BMW warehouse.

BMW last week put its tongue in its cheek with the announcement the M3 ute would become the fourth body variant of the M3 family. "Under the strictest secrecy, the world's first high-performance pickup (really?) has been created at the BMW M GmbH development centre," BMW's April 1 release states.

"The sportiest example by far in this vehicle category (really? HSV anyone?), the BMW M3 Pickup will fire the imaginations of all motorists with a deep appreciation of top performance matched by a keen practical bent. "309kW/420hp under the bonnet and a rear-axle load capacity of up to 450 kilos take the hallmark BMW M relationship between race-oriented driving pleasure and everyday utility to an entirely new level.

"This unique vehicle has already completed extensive test and set-up drives on the Nurburgring's Nordschleife in advance of its global unveiling on April 1, 2011." It adds that the BMW M3 Pickup is "the first BMW M3 variant in the 25-year-plus history of this model range to come with a trailer tow hitch".

"Notwithstanding these unquestionable stand-out qualities, the BMW M3 Pickup will not be heading for the golf course or series development, but will retain its status as an exclusive one-off," the press release says as reality sets in.

"It is earmarked for use as a workshop transport vehicle for BMW M GmbH. With this in mind, the BMW M3 Pickup - unlike a similar predecessor built back in the 1980s - has gone through the requisite procedures to earn its road certification, which makes it officially a truck - but one that puts a whole new spin on the meaning of the word."

Gobes32 · 07-04-2011, 10:34 AM

That press release says to me that BMW obviously have no idea that the Maloo, Super Pursuit, etc even exsist? We really do live in a little bubble down here in oz........

austyphoon · 07-04-2011, 10:45 AM

Looks pretty horrible compared to the sedan

HULK EF · 07-04-2011, 11:39 AM

ugly.. -perhaps ignornace and arogant brand snobbery of the lack of info on a market well tapped into in australian showrooms allready.

**Grunter** · 07-04-2011, 04:24 PM

I'd take one.

JC · 07-04-2011, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gobes32

That press release says to me that BMW obviously have no idea that the Maloo, Super Pursuit, etc even exsist? We really do live in a little bubble down here in oz........

It will still be faster than those cars anyway.

chrisfpv · 07-04-2011, 05:05 PM

Looks bloody ugly.

drew`SEVNT5 · 08-04-2011, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gobes32

That press release says to me that BMW obviously have no idea that the Maloo, Super Pursuit, etc even exsist? We really do live in a little bubble down here in oz........

Why they hell would they? Id like to forget some days... :P

Antwon · 08-04-2011, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

It will still be faster than those cars anyway.

309kw, really reckon that would be faster then a 335 persuit? (genuine question, NOT sarcasm, i realise that weight and gearing etc effect it as well)

**kypez** · 08-04-2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Antwon

309kw, really reckon that would be faster then a 335 persuit? (genuine question, NOT sarcasm, i realise that weight and gearing etc effect it as well)

More like 315 GS. (there are no 335 utes) Either way, the KW dont really matter all that much, its the torque to get the job done. And in those stakes, I'd back the GS.

I agree that it is ugly as sin though...

aussie muscle · 08-04-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gobes32

That press release says to me that BMW obviously have no idea that the Maloo, Super Pursuit, etc even exsist? We really do live in a little bubble down here in oz........

I'm surprised Vauxhall hasn't tried to market the ute, given the success of the Monaro over there.
i don't know why FPV doesn't either, considering it's half owned by Prodrive, a UK company.

oh, and that bmw sux balls. i seriously doubt they have anywhere near the experience that ford and holden have at making a sedan utility, and it's just a chopped bmw sedan has probably affected its handling.