BMW M3 faster and more frugal

It's the first time the prestige German brand has mated its automatic stop/start technology with an automatic transmission and it is now found on both the six-speed manual and the slick-shifting seven-speed double-clutch automatic transmission versions. Armed with the new technology, the M3's four-litre 309kW/400Nm V8 and the automatic transmission work together to deliver a combined fuel consumption of 11.2-litres/100km.

In automatic guise, the M3 coupe can sprint to 100km/h in a seriously slippery 4.6 seconds while the automatic version is a tad slower at 5.1 seconds. BMW has also announced an optional continually adjustable electronic damper-control system that now includes a new "sport" mode, modified calibration of the dynamic stability control, M Drive and M Y-spoke design 19-inch alloy wheels.

Pricing for the new M3 coupe kicks off at $158,300 and the convertible lifts this to $176,700.