BMW has transitioned to using plastic front quarter panels (fenders) on its 2007 BMW 3 Series Coupe in order to save weight and increase durability. The weight savings is minimal — about 6.6 pounds — but it helps BMW achieve its much-touted 50:50 weight balance more easily. The new material also offers greater freedom in design, being easier to mould and shape than steel – an important factor giving the designer new freedom in the design process. BMW says the fenders are painted with the exact same paint used for the steel unibody and look the same as steel panels. In low-speed collisions, the new panels are also less likely to permanently deform. After the jump we have two images: one illustrating how light the new panels are, and another shows the difference between the sedan and coupe’s fenders (with the latter having a deeper character line)…

source : leftlanenews

 

But is it as quiet...?

 

Well atleast they are trying to save weight in there vwhicles unlike many companies(Toyota included).

 

I bet it is probably more quiet than if they used aluminum. Saturn had a good idea when they started it and I'm glad others are doing it as well.

 

Based on pics and photoshops by Autobild, this is what the E92 M3 should look like. I say they have a winner on their hands if this hits the streets with that 400hp V8. What you guys think?

Pic linked from http://www.m3post.com

 

Looks cool. Nice find.

 

Menacing front end treatment. Better looking than the sedans but still not loving these things. By the way I'm the Campaign Manager for Chris Bangle for President.

 

yeah i really like the front end, looks very nice, and the hood lines are very well done imho

 

mmm im guessing 60k?

 

sorry photoshoped from this:

 

It looks good from what I can see, but it's a different kind of good. It's not the same feeling as when I first saw the E46 M3.

Kinda the same thing when people first saw the 2GS and was like WOW! and when the 3GS came out, people said it looked good but wasn't quite the same.

If that's what the M3 is going to look like, I have to say that it's missing the same "wow" factor that the E46 held. Doesn't mean that the car doesn't look good, but it doesn't take the E46's spot in my heart.

Perhaps I can make a better judgement of it when it actually comes out and possibly grows onto me.

 

no air vents, and how come the m6, m5, and m coupe all have the same bumper but this one doesnt. instead of using this photoshoped bumper i think they use the one thats in the other m production cars.

 

real life front shot

 

you mean Lexus right? Because Toyota's are actually lightest in their perspective class's.
Lexus is pretty good when it comes to weight, with only BMW's being lighter.

 

front looks good, as always... profile and back are a bit strange.
Cant wait to read about it in first drives!