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It's got space for five plus dog. It's got five doors and 460-litres of boot space. It's even got an automatic seven-speed gearbox.

But make no mistake - floor this puppy and you'll feel the force of 550 German horses desperately trying to light up the rear wheels, for this is one hell of a BMW 3 Series.

Fed up of waiting for BMW to make one, Manhart Racing has decided to turn a bog-standard BMW 3-Series Tourer into one of the world's most potent road racers - and a spectacular method of melting your poor dog's face as it sits helplessly in the boot.

The US-based tuner has decided to build its very own BMW M3 estate, by taking a standard 3-Series Tourer shell and going crazy with BMW M Division's supermarket.

It gets the seven-speed SMG box and limited-slip differential found in the current-generation M5, axles and steering system from the V8-powered BMW M3 along with the M-car's bodykit.

And just in case you were of the opinion the new M3 is a little short on power, Manhart has helpfully slotted in the raucous, mind-melting 5-litre V10 engine used in the BMW M5.

Together with a stainless-steel exhaust system and revised engine electronics, the 5-litre V10 lump now produces 550bhp. The Manhart-tuned 3-Series Tourer will hit 62mph from rest in just 4.3 seconds and run on to a top speed of 202mph.

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