BMW M3 '30 Jahre' special edition unveiled

German automaker BMW is on a spree! After updating the 2 Series, 7 Series, and introducing the stunning 2002 Hommage Concept, it has now taken the wraps off an M3 that celebrates thirty years of the monicker's existence. Unimaginatively, it is called the "BMW M3 30 Jahre," which, when translated to the language of the Queen, reads "30 Years M3."

The special edition car will be limited to just 500 units worldwide. It gets everything that the standard M3 gets and ticks the 'Competition Package' on the options list. That bumps up power from the 3.0-litre twin turbo engine to a mouthwatering 444PS. The 0-60mph (96kmph) sprint comes up in just four seconds, a tenth quicker than the standard car. Geeky goodies such as the adaptive M suspension and the active M differential are standard as well.

The interiors are smothered in leather and carbon fibre and also get some cool looking M tricolour stitching on the steering wheel and on the seatbelts. There are splatters of '30 Jahre M3' badges on the dash, the M Sports seats, and the door sills for that extra bit of exclusivity.

The exteriors get subtle tweaks as well. Updates include LED headlamps, some gorgeous 20-inch alloy wheels from the M4 GTS, and tricolour striping on the carbon-fibre roof. Moreover, there are two special paint finishes available for the special edition viz. Frozen Silver and Macao Blue Metallic. The blue shade has a bit of history behind it as well - it was amongst the optional colours for the first M3 ever made!

The M3 has been the king of compact super-saloons ever since it first broke cover thirty years ago. Over the course of time, BMW has fettled with the recipe countless times. However, what remained constant through the years is the grin on the driver's face when he mashes the accelerator into the carpet. Happy 30th birthday M3!