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It's been weeks since the last F80 M3 sightings, but we've now spotted the 2014 M3 prototype undergoing winter/cold climate testing and it looks like the testing has advanced to another stage.

M Carbon Ceramic Brakes

For the first time, we see the F80 M3 in a color other than black (Alpine White), which sometimes signals a more advanced stage of testing. Beyond that however, this is the first F80 prototype to sport BMW M Carbon Ceramic Brakes. One can tell that they are ceramic brakes by the brake rotor material and gold brake calipers (a signature color for M Carbon Ceramic Brakes beginning with the current M5 and M6 - more details). To give you an idea of what kind of performance increase may be expected, on the M5/M6, the ceramic brakes reduce the brakes' unsprung weight by 42.8 lb (19.4 kg) total and also obviously increases fade resistance.

Also, the M Carbon Ceramic Brakes feature six-piston calipers at the front axle as opposed to four-piston calipers seen on all previous F80 M3 prototypes.

Carbon Fiber Roof?

With the new prototype color, are we also getting a look at something which could possibly signal a carbon fiber roof? The black roof ledge on a prototype (with the rest of the roof being covered in camouflage) has sometimes been a sign of a carbon fiber roof. Hopefully future prototypes will soon reveal the presence (or lack of) a carbon fiber roof.

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2014 BMW M3 (F80) Advances to Testing BMW M Carbon Ceramic Brakes

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