Now BMW’s taking the M3 to a whole new level.
The latest M3 is powered for the first time by a V-8, a 4.0-liter unit derived from the 5.0-liter V-10 found in the M5 supersedan as well as the M6 coupe and convertible. The 90-degree eight-holer will make 414 horsepower at 8300 rpm the redline is only 100 rpm farther up the tach, so this thing is gonna wail and 295 pound-feet of torque at 3900 rpm. The V-8 also boasts the usual top-shelf technologies such as double-VANOS variable valve timing and individual throttles for each cylinder.
The V-8 shares the V-10’s bore and stroke, 12.0:1 compression ratio, and aluminum construction. The crankcase is made from an aluminum-and-silicon alloy, and exposed silicon in each cylinder mitigates friction well enough that separate sleeves aren’t required, saving weight. The entire engine actually weighs thanks to the lightweight material and weight-saving measures 33 fewer pounds than the E46 M3’s iron-block inline-six, and the eight should push the new M3 to 60 mph in well under 4.5 seconds. With a mill this advanced, it’s not surprising that the block comes from the same foundry that supplies BMW with its Formula 1 engines.
Unlike the M5, where a conventional six-speed manual was offered only after M fans freaked out, a six-speed stick will be the standard transmission for the M3; a dual-clutch automated manual similar to VW/Audi’s DSG will likely be an option later. BMW’s variable differential with up to 100-percent lockup keeps the power heading to the ground. The M3 will have, like the M5, a power button located next to the shifter. It won’t unleash an extra 100 ponies as in the big supersedan but will instead increase throttle response through heightened accelerator sensitivity think of it more as a sport button than one that actually delivers more power. The optional MDrive system will allow drivers to quicken the steering rate for the active-steering system. The M3 will also offer BMW’s electronic damper control that serves up three suspension settings, each more hard-core than the last. The M3 defaults all systems at start-up to the softest, least bad-ass settings, but a memory button on the steering wheel can store your favorites. According to BMW, weight stands at just under 3500 pounds 50 lighter than a 335i coupe which is an increase of 70 or so pounds over the outgoing model, but we’d say the extra 81 horsepower more than makes up for the excess fat. Stopping the M3 will be 14.2-inch discs in the front and 13.8-inchers in back, all vented and cross-drilled.
BMW showed the M3 concept at the Geneva auto show earlier this year, and as expected, the actual car looks barely different. The unpainted carbon-fiber roof is there we can’t wait to see it on a white carand so are the side vents with LED lights, the flared fenders, and the power bulge in the aluminum hood. The concept’s 19-inch wheels have shrunk to 18 inches, but you can be pretty sure that BMW Accessories will allow you to swap right back when you spec your personal M3. Some of the other M3-specific stuff includes the gaping front fascia, the aggressive rear end with quad tailpipes, and the dual-vaned side mirrors. In fact, all this car shares externally with the E92 coupe on which it’s based are the headlamps, the taillamps, the trunklid, the doors, and the glass. In addition to the coupe, we’ve seen spy shots of an M3 sedan and a hardtop M3 convertible. Our sources peg the M3’s release at sometime next February or March and the price at about $60,000 or about $10,000 more than the last M3 coupe. But with that sweet V-8 stuffed between the fenders and advanced technology crammed into every nook and cranny, we’d call that a fair deal, especially considering the fact that an M5 will suck more than $83,000 from your piggy bank.
There’s no doubt that this latest M3 has what it takes to deliver the goods on paper, at least. The question is whether the M3 will be a cold, overly technological machine, like the current M5, or whether it’ll turn out to be a hoot-a-minute bottle rocket with personality coming out its tailpipes, like the original E30 M3. The truth likely lies somewhere in between, and we can’t wait to get behind the wheel to find out.
