Photo: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien
Current BMW M3 owners are probably looking at the Mercedes-AMG C63 S with a sense of rebuked envy, always careful not to let any of it show on the outside.
There are very few ways in which the Affalterbach machine is worse than the go-fast Bimmer, which is one of the most difficult things to swallow for a fan of the Bavarian brand - harder than a ball of needles. As if it were necessary, that puts even more pressure on BMW to deliver the goods with the upcoming G80 BMW M3.
The sporty sedan is still in its early testing stages as proven by the mock-up lighting units and the heavy camouflage. What it can't hide, though, are the big, multi-spoked wheels, the huge rotors sitting behind them and, most importantly, that double twin exhaust that just screams "M3" from a mile.
Since this is the first time it shows itself in front of the camera, the information available is somewhat limited. However, that doesn't mean we're completely in the dark here, so here's what we know/suspect so far about the 2019 BMW M3.
We'll start with the engine since that's what matters most with this model (especially since BMW's chassis and transmissions have never disappointed so far. It'll be a twin-turbo inline-six with a 3.0-liter displacement and a 48-volt electric system. This should enable the powertrain to come close to the C63's 510 hp obtained from a 4.0-liter V8 unit.
Even 500 hp should prove enough for the new M3 since the use of the CLAR architecture means a lot of CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer, BMW's lightweight material of choice) will go into the sedan's body. This should make up for the added weight of the mild hybrid system and help with the car's performance and handling lowering the curb weight as well as the center of mass.
The new M5 is the first M Division car to use an all-wheel-drive system, but BMW was smart enough to include the option of cutting power to the front axle completely if that's what the driver wanted. In other words, it offers the best of both worlds and it doesn't force anything on the owner - apart from having to pay for the xDrive system even if they use it or not.
The 2019 M3 might get a similar treatment, but perhaps offered as an optional feature considering peer pressure isn't as strong in this segment with the Mercedes-AMG C63 S being RWD as well. We'll know more as the months go by and the new M3 starts shedding some of the camo, and the lips of the people involved become looser.
The sporty sedan is still in its early testing stages as proven by the mock-up lighting units and the heavy camouflage. What it can't hide, though, are the big, multi-spoked wheels, the huge rotors sitting behind them and, most importantly, that double twin exhaust that just screams "M3" from a mile.
Since this is the first time it shows itself in front of the camera, the information available is somewhat limited. However, that doesn't mean we're completely in the dark here, so here's what we know/suspect so far about the 2019 BMW M3.
We'll start with the engine since that's what matters most with this model (especially since BMW's chassis and transmissions have never disappointed so far. It'll be a twin-turbo inline-six with a 3.0-liter displacement and a 48-volt electric system. This should enable the powertrain to come close to the C63's 510 hp obtained from a 4.0-liter V8 unit.
Even 500 hp should prove enough for the new M3 since the use of the CLAR architecture means a lot of CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer, BMW's lightweight material of choice) will go into the sedan's body. This should make up for the added weight of the mild hybrid system and help with the car's performance and handling lowering the curb weight as well as the center of mass.
The new M5 is the first M Division car to use an all-wheel-drive system, but BMW was smart enough to include the option of cutting power to the front axle completely if that's what the driver wanted. In other words, it offers the best of both worlds and it doesn't force anything on the owner - apart from having to pay for the xDrive system even if they use it or not.
The 2019 M3 might get a similar treatment, but perhaps offered as an optional feature considering peer pressure isn't as strong in this segment with the Mercedes-AMG C63 S being RWD as well. We'll know more as the months go by and the new M3 starts shedding some of the camo, and the lips of the people involved become looser.
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