RENDERED SPECULATION: Will The Next-Gen M3 Look Like A MINI M5?

Last Friday BMW unveiled information and images of the all-new 3-Series.

One thing was missing though: any information on the upcoming M3.

That's a shame too, because right now the BMW world is on fire with speculation about what motor the car will have. A forced induction inline six? A V6? V8? No one is entirely sure although recent video suggests that it will likely be a six cylinder.

With that said, there have been a flurry of renderings but when 001 sent me this link tonight, I became pretty sure this is the most accurate take so far. Notice anything?

It appears to be based off of an image of the all-new M5 and when you consider how similar the new 3-Series is -- in terms of design -- to the 5, we think this is a pretty spot on depiction.

What say you, Spies?

Will the next-gen M3 look like a MINI M5?

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Need4Speed - 10/21/2011 12:29:46 AM

+4 Boost

I'd be very disappointed if it looked like that. There's nothing unique about it and it would be a mistake to make it look like a shrunken clone of the M5. The best render...although probably not very accurate in some aspects...is the one done by guy called Harold Wood over at F30 posts...

http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=598402

BondMI6 - 10/21/2011 12:39:43 AM

+1 Boost

Ummmm........

No.

That is just a new M-sport without fogs.

The F80 M3 sedan will have a more unique front end albeit with the same upturned "V" airdam.

-Bond

Milton - 10/21/2011 3:56:11 AM

+1 Boost

It will be named M4. BMW has opted to name coupe and cabriolet versions of the 3-series as 4-series in its next generation to give it greater differentiation from the new BMW 3-series saloon.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/AllCars/259678/

JRobUSC - 10/21/2011 10:33:07 AM

+1 Boost

the 4 series will be two door models. There will be an M3 sedan and an M4 coupe/convertible, just as there will be 328/335 sedans and 428/435 coupes/convertibles.

meklen - 10/21/2011 8:52:18 AM

+3 Boost

I just can't get over the headlights connecting to the kidney grill. Hope that is not a trend with future BMW designs!

LACMAN - 10/21/2011 10:33:22 AM

+1 Boost

I believe the headlamps connected to the kidney grill will be done away with on the M3 and/or 3 series coupe. Watch!

Yonder7 - 10/21/2011 1:54:55 PM

+1 Boost

I think this car is ugly the front is a Mitsubishi Lancer with a bended hood around the engine bay. What will sale this car is that will be lighter than the current 3 and M3 so I am sure It will have an stellar performance. They were careful to avoid the trend of to win weight as they did on the 5 series (more that 500 pound heavier than the E) but this 3 is lighter so I am sure the main reason to buy it will be performance. No we need to see how it works in the crash tests.

Yonder7 - 10/21/2011 1:59:09 PM

+3 Boost

BTW, the hood reminds me the ISF bump .

Designer1 - 10/22/2011 7:11:07 PM

+1 Boost

Well first all all, all German cars come in 3 sizes, Large, Medium and Small. So, yes it will look like the M5.

Now aside from this question, the new 3 series would've looked nicer if it did not have that extra horizontal tip of front lights going all the way to the grill. It feels like an extra peace of glass is glued to the car. Ugly touch.

knowitall1985 - 10/24/2011 5:20:33 PM

+1 Boost

All Mercedes and BMW's look like different size versions of the same cars......