The new BMW M3 will be lighter, more powerful and faster than the model it replaces. A company insider told us how the four-door saloon (the coupe will be called the M4) “will take the brand’s most popular and famous performance model to new heights with the latest body and engine technologies”.
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Our exclusive images show how BMW will transform the 3 series saloon into a street racer, with a lower ride height, blade front bumper and other cues such as M3-badged vents on its flanks and intricate mirrors.
Under its bulging bonnet, the M3 will use a new six-cylinder 3.0-litre twin-turbo engine. Unlike the M5’s reworked version of BMW’s 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, the new engine will be used exclusively in M models, not appearing in any lesser cars.
Performance figures are expected to be around 450bhp – an increase of 30bhp over the 4.0-litre V8 in the current car. There will be an even bigger increase in the torque figure – potentially as much as 150Nm – taking the total to 550Nm at just 2,000rpm.
Despite offering more conventional equipment than its predecessor, and superior comfort, the new automobile will weigh about 100kg less than before. BMW will achieve this by using a raft of lightweight body materials in construction. just like the current M3 Coupe, the new saloon will get a carbon-fibre roof, but the lightweight material will also be used for the bonnet and bootlid. Meanwhile, the front wings will be made from composite plastics.