PHOTO: Next BMW M3 sees red!

It does look good in red. The Audi RS4 looks assume in blue. Agent001 I just wanted to thank you and all of your team at Autospies for all of the great spy photos and spy news. You guys really rock. Keep up the good work.

Thank you!

In the words of Augie Busch...We do it all for you!

001

They're both hot-looking...

M3 = RS4 > C AMG

I don't know about the IS-F yet... and I'm not going to predict what will happen to it, or I'll get de-boosted.

LOL, still got de-boosted!

Love the new M3. Looking fantastic in every color... just like the old one.

Okay, okay, I'm not in the mood for an argument... you know I love Mercedes, but we both know that they are more about straight-line speed than purity of the driving experience. At least, that's their recent trend.

Red kicks ass, but I would go with black or white for myself.

I would love to see M3 in white and black.

JUGNU

well then, here ya go!

http://www.bmw.de/de/de/index_narrowband.html?content=http://www.bmw.de/de/de/insights/news/current/bmw_tv.html

click on M at the top and go to m3 coupe,
enjoy

this link might fit better

http://www.bmw.de/de/de/insights/news/current/bmw_tv.html

looks pretty sharp....I would probably choose Space Grey or Alpine White before red, though.

why is there no SMG option? they talk about a dual clutch system, but is it as fast? I like the throttle blips when i down shift my SMG coming down into a turn

SMG had poor responce from 3-Series and M5 owners. They thought it just wasn't worth it.

Have you guys seen the M3 in white? I used to hate white cars but the white m3 on the bmw.com website looks really nice. The white makes all of the car's curves and details really visible.

Red look horrible, car looks sweet.

what exactly is the difference of dsg and smg ??
is dsg faster ? i have smg in my car and i must admit, it isnt the best thing in the world however it is fun to play with. its just not too smooth and jerks more than a 6 speed.
when will the dsg come out ? and when it does will the next m3 have paddle shifters ?

If you get DSG, it will change your mind about SMG. Yes, it is faster. It's a different type of transmission. Developed by BorgWarner, instead of being a simple automated manual, DSG has two clutches- one for the even gears, one for the odd gears -and to leave almost no time in between shifts, after the even one drops a gear (say you're in second), the odd one drops immediately after. I believe it's the quickest automatic transmission in the world. I have it in the A3... and even on the little A3 2.0T, it's a rocket. I can't imagine what it would be like in an M3, and Porsche is rumored to be developing one for the refreshed 911!

Ultimately, though many years away, CVTs will be the way to go. You simply chose the "mode" you want - high power or high economy and the optimal RPM is dialed in and sustained. It's just a matter of time before they perfect the technology to handle the high output of these cars. This will also make high revving, high horsepower, engines much more usable since power band width becomes a moot issue.

I am so done with BMW's current stable of Ugly Ducklings. I await eagerly for their next generation of hopefully more attractive cars, inside and out.

Based on my research, BMW's direction is long term. They have abandoned their "mature and faithful" audience on a quest to attract young, sport-oriented drivers. Ask around: youngsters in their 20s and 30s tend to like BMW's new styling while the more mature consumer tends to prefer the more traditional styling.

I took a BMW 550 test car home to my girlfriend, for her to consider buying. She's in a 2003 CLK430 now, and sick of it's crappy handling. I blindfolder her before she saw the outside to get her INTO the car. She absolutely LOVED the car, everything about it from the inside. When she got out, her enthusiasm sank. She said "I just can't get past the looks...". when I showed her the 6-series on paper, she said "OK!!! That's more like it! .. Is there a four door version??" I laughed.

Bottom line - BMW has some styling issues, but they are taking some risks; some are hits out of the park, others are "like it or hate it". Other manufactures choose less risky, more bland styling like Audi, Lexus and Mercedes.