By GREG KABLE
AutoWeek | Published 01/19/07, 11:57 am et
There are whispers going around that BMW is planning to reveal its fourth-generation M3 in concept-car guise at the Geneva motor show in March before unwrapping the production version at the Frankfurt show in September. So we thought we’d get in early and offer this exclusive peek at the new go-fast version of the 3 Series, on sale in North America in early 2008 as both coupe and convertible.
Our computer-generated images are based on the latest photographs of near-production M3 prototypes spied in Munich in recent weeks, and on information from insiders. Better than ever before, the photos reveal the menacing look of BMW’s new performance hero, set to move up in standing—and price—in line with the competition. It’s not official, but dealer sources suggest the $48,900 sticker price on today’s car will swell to almost $55,000 when the new M3 lands on these shores about a year from now.
You don’t need us to tell you the new car looks mean. Changes over the recently introduced 3 Series include a shapely front bumper incorporating three huge cooling ducts feeding air into the engine bay and to the front brakes, the latter aided by tiny splitter units similar to those on the M5. The classic kidney grille has also been reworked to improve airflow over the hood, which receives a power dome to signal the high-grade artillery beneath it.
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