Many will disagree with this, especially die hard Bimmer fans, but the automotive landscape is changing for better emissions and lower fuel consumption even for supercars and so the next generation BMW M3 will have a turbocharged straight-six engine for the first time ever. Furthermore, it won’t be available just with a dual-clutch transmission. This powerplant is a significantly revised version of the N55 that is used in the M135i and 640i.
The M3 is comparable with its rivals like the Audi RS5 and Mercedes C63 AMG and is likely to deliver about 450bhp and 480lb ft of torque. It is expected to receive the M5’s dual-clutch gearbox but the new installation will get a revised set of seven speeds. Also for the first time on an M3 is electro-mechanical steering. However, the electronic M differential will be kept. A three-stage dynamic damper control will be used by the M3, the same one used on the larger M5 and M6. Similar to the older E92 model, this ‘F80’ M3 will maintain a unitary steel structure. Nonetheless, aluminium is expected to be widely used in areas like the bonnet and doors to get the new car below the 1605kg kerb weight of the previous version. More information to come in days.
