The handle is comprised of Biologic Velcro(tm), the hilt wrought from an intermetallic alloy, and the blade forged from elements unnameable. It doesn't appear especially exotic but holds an edge so keen it can slice through stone.
I could use a knife like that.
Actually, I'd use it once and probably cut my fingers off, maybe even my head. The Molecular Blade(tm) is too much for mere mortals like me-unless I had special training, that is.
That pretty much sums it up for the duo on these pages. They're cars so powerful, so keen, they belong in an elite fraternity of supercars that should be piloted by guys with last names like Piquet, Auberlan or Hobbs.
The previous M3 was damn good, a perfect blend of power and road-hugging prowess. I loved it because it was a bit above my level-fast enough to command respect but not scary-fast. The new E46 chassis simply amplifies that formula-it's beyond respect; it should be worshiped.
If god-like performance simply won't do, go see the folks at Wheel Power, the exclusive U.S. distributor of Hamann BMW products. Go for the full-tilt-boogie program and make sure your last will and testament is complete.
I spent enough time (about 20 minutes) behind Wheel Power's silver Stage III M3 to realize its abilities were beyond my skills. Don't get me wrong: It was beautifully mannered and very controlled, but it possessed such power it quickly threatened the laws of physics and breached the rules of California's roads. This is a car meant for the autobahn or intergalactic travel.
The silver BMW was clad in Hamann's finest togs, including its Competition front spoiler with brake cooling intakes and Hamann's grille covers and headlight trim. Subtle side skirts adorn the flanks, complemented by a Hamann roof spoiler and adjustable Competition rear wing. Not very subtle but certainly effective at high speeds when additional downforce is needed.
The underpinnings have been augmented with H&R's Extreme Performance coilovers that can drop the chassis from 1.2 to 2.3 in. The suspension includes Hamann's larger sway bars in front and out back for corner-flattening handling.
Running gear is comprised of Hamann PG3 wheels measuring 9x19 in front and a whopping 10x19 in the rear. Hamann technology partner Pirelli supplied the P Zero Rossos-size 245/34ZR19 in front and 275/30ZR19 out back . If the Rossos have limits, I could not find them. The car refused to budge off line no matter what kind of foolishness I threw at it.
Hamann's program for the motor includes a gorgeous EVO Sport airbox fabricated from carbon-Kevlar. The idea is to maintain high air intake speeds (which BMW has already achieved) for optimum performance. Hamann continues that idea on the other end with its racing exhaust manifold, racing cats and its full stainless-steel DTM exhaust system. Hamann retunes the ECU, the entire program said to produce some 65 to 70 hp for a total of more than 400 bhp. We tried to measure output on our Dynojet, but the M3's speed and traction sensors require all four wheels to move, and so the car freaked out and went into "limp mode"-it must have thought we were in a sui-slide.
According to BMW, its engine parameters are rated for maximum performance-unlike many other manufacturers' engines, there is little or no "wiggle room." BMW has been very specific in regards to pushing the engine past its limits-when BMW says the M3 has an 8000-rpm redline, it means it. Just a little caveat there.
While a stock E46 M3 has a healthy burble, this Hamann M3 has a substantially deeper and meaner tone-you can feel it in your guts. And from what I could tell through my backside, significantly more power, primarily in the mid to high rpm band. The Hamann car gets out of the hole so fast, you barely have time to enjoy the crispness of the Hamann short-shift kit. Despite those huge slabs of Pirelli rubber, the M3 barks the tires with each upshift. We're talking god-fearing-fast here! Turn-in is surgically precise, on a par with any new Porsche, and those massive brakes felt to be fade proof.