It’s been a while since we last featured one of Hartge’s creations and there’s a good reason for that: the German tuner and manufacturer unfortunately went bust last year.
Over the years, however, the folks from Hartge delivered some spectacular BMW-based creations and their engine swaps were particularly interesting. The one featured today has to be among the most intriguing of all as it’s based on BMW’s humble 3 Series Compact.
Built from 1993 through 2004 over two generations (E36 and E46), it was the automaker’s first modern-day attempt at building a compact car – what we now call the 1 Series.
See Also: That Time Hartge Crammed An M5-Sourced V10 In A BMW 3-Series E90
The 3 Series Compact was essentially a chopped 3 Series with a hatch that wrapped the sedan’s chassis in a smaller package. Since the wheelbase stayed the same, the only area of the car that could be shrunk was behind the rear wheels, which explains the 3 Series Compact’s awkward proportions.
BMW offered its smallest model mostly with four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines, though each generation was available with a 2.5-liter straight-six range topper, badged 323ti (E36) and 325ti (E46). Customers who wanted to cram bigger engines in their 3 Series Compacts had to go to aftermarket companies which were brave enough to embark on such a project.
Hartge was definitely among those companies and the V8-powered 3 Series Compact shown in these photos clearly proves it. This unassuming 1997 BMW 323ti was converted into a brute in 1999 thanks to a naturally aspirated 4.7-liter V8 engine that delivered 350 PS (345 HP) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) to the rear wheels.
The engine was also sourced from BMW (M62B44), but Hartge put its mark on it by increasing the displacement from 4.4 liters to 4.7 liters and replacing many internals parts in the process. Obviously, Hartge did more than just squeeze an extra 64 HP and 80 Nm (59 lb-ft) of torque from the BMW V8.
While at it, the tuner also fitted a six-speed manual Evo gearbox from the M3, Bilstein adjustable suspension, Hartge rear axle and a custom muffler. All these worked together to give the Hartge Compact V8 4.7 a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration of under 5 seconds and a top speed of 270 km/h (168 mph).
Other changes included the addition of a rather subtle widebody kit, custom wheels, specific badging, Recaro sports seats, Hartge instrument dials and an onboard computer. The grand total for all this extravaganza was a whopping 146,000 Deutsche Marks, which would equate to around €75,000 ($86,000) today.
With less than 37,500 km (23,300 miles) on the odometer and believed to be one of only two such vehicles ever made, this Hartge Compact V8 4.7 will be among the stars of the RM Sotheby’s Essen auction on March 26-27. The fact it will be offered without reserve should only add to its appeal.
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