BMW has a history of using racetrack names for their paint colors: Marrakesh Brown, Laguna Seca Blue and Dakar Yellow. But the 2013 BMW M3 Lime Rock Park Edition ($80,000, as tested) is the first time they’ve used one on a car itself and the first time the iconic track has lent its name to a carmaker — and quite a vehicle, indeed. The standard set up brings an M 6-speed manual transmission, Competition Package and Fire Orange carbon fiber bits to the exterior; the inside gets black cloth trimmed in Napa Leather and a flat-bottomed Anthracite Alcantara-covered steering wheel. The driver, meanwhile, is treated to palpable joy all the way up to an 8,300 RPM redline.
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A sleeper that will blast an unassuming ‘Vette at the light it is not. But if you’re looking for a weekend track-attack that won’t have you Yelping local chiropractors, this car is perfect. Plus, with a limited production run of 200, this $71K 414-hp Bavarian missile is automatically a collector’s item — and as the end of Bimmer’s naturally aspirated M3 dynasty it’ll bring street cred to those in the know. Check out the video above for our raucous joyride.