German auto major, BMW has released first official pictures of its lightweight special edition M3 CRT(Carbon Racing Technology) model just days before the 2011 Nurburgring 24hr race.

The BMW M3 CRT features the new M3 Carbon Racing Technology borrowed from carbonfibre structures. It uses carbon fiber for the bonnet, seat-backs and roof and has a titanium exhaust. The company has managed to reduce the weight by 45kgs from the weight of a standard M3 saloon, while retaining four seats, sat-nav and hi-fi.

The M3 CRT will come with 4.4-litre, 444bhp V8 engine with M-DCT dual-clutch transmission. It also features adjustable coilover dampers, six-piston front disc brakes and 19-inch light alloy wheels. The silver exterior paint with metallic red accents on the model gives it a distinct look from the salon version.

The company is only going to manufacture 67 units of the special edition model.