BMW wasn’t planning on releasing the M3 convertible just yet. It had its hands full with the production X6 crossover and those new-fangled turbodiesels the company unveiled at the Detroit show.

Although the E46 M3’s S54 straight-six (also fitted to later M Roadster and Coupe versions) was a huge success, the Motorsport division decided to break with tradition and build a rabid V8.

This V8 M3-Powered BMW “1M” Coupe Is An Affordable Alternative To The Genuine Article The presence of the BMW M3's 4.0-liter V8 doesn't mess with the 1M's handling characteristics by Brad Anderson ...

Compared with the standard E90/E92/E93 M3 engine, the S65 V8 in the 2010-2011 M3 GTS, called the S65B44, featured a larger 4.4 liters of displacement along with other modifications that upped ...

Experience the best of the BMW M3 E92 with this action-packed onboard compilation featuring powerful acceleration, sharp downshifts, and the legendary sound of the high-revving 4.0L V8 S65 engine ...

Under the hood, it packs a 7-liter LS3 V8 good for 1,000 hp (1,014 ps) and 944 b-ft (1,280 Nm) of torque. All that power is channeled to the rear wheels via an 8-speed ZF transmission.