Photo: Roger Lighterness
There can be no doubt that the next BMW M3 is coming, and that it’s going to be a big thing! But when exactly will buyers be able to get behind the wheel?
There have been numerous reports on the matter, and the latest one, from AutoWeek, is a little puzzling. It say that the new M3 will be shown as a thinly disguised concept at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show in March.
To put this into perspective, the Concept M135i was also shown in Geneva earlier this year, and is only now becoming a reality. A similar wait will take place with the F80 M3, which will most likely become available from September when it bows at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The new M3 will use aluminum for some of the body panels. But it’s the engine that everybody is waiting to experience. It’s expected to be a 3.2-liter twin- or tri-turbo with 450 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. That’s an increase of about 7% in terms of power and 18% in terms of torque over the current 4-liter V8. It’s also reasonable to expect a 20% increase in fuel economy.
To put this into perspective, the Concept M135i was also shown in Geneva earlier this year, and is only now becoming a reality. A similar wait will take place with the F80 M3, which will most likely become available from September when it bows at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The new M3 will use aluminum for some of the body panels. But it’s the engine that everybody is waiting to experience. It’s expected to be a 3.2-liter twin- or tri-turbo with 450 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. That’s an increase of about 7% in terms of power and 18% in terms of torque over the current 4-liter V8. It’s also reasonable to expect a 20% increase in fuel economy.
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