Though a ton of enthusiasts are all over the current-gen BMW M3, I have to say it hasn't been a favorite of mine. There's a variety of reasons but the biggest is easily that V8 powerplant.
It's OK but it's certainly not worth all the gum flapping that goes on in the forums. AND if you've driven the 1M, you'd know right away that's the kind of motor that NEEDS to be in a BMW M3 while cutting down its beefy weight.
Well, the BMW gods have listened.
We've heard clips of the next-gen M3 but this one may be one of the better ones because it sounds like its going flat out right past the camera on several passes. In addition, it's very clear that BMW has fine tuned the six-cylinder engine to sound MUCH more Porsche-like, which is something I noticed on the 1M. Of course, that's a GREAT thing.
It looks like this M3/M4 will be one of the best yet.
Currently rumors and speculation has placed the power at around 415 hp and 395 lb.-ft. Obviously the torque is much needed injection as the current, high-revving V8 only puts out 295 lb.-ft.
Listen to the new M3 below...
Ahead of its debut (in concept form) sometime later this year, the production F80 M3 prototype forges ahead with testing this week at the Nurburgring. We've got it on video giving us probably the best listen so far at the F80 M3's multi-turbo inline 6.
If you recall, we recently reported on information gleaned from the M4 prototype's registered VIN information.
According to the VIN info, the M3 will be powered by a 310kW (415 hp) 3.0L inline 6 engine (s55)...
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