THE 2014 BMW M3
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Engine:
- inline-6
- Horsepower @ RPM:
- 430
- Torque @ RPM:
- 369
- Displacement:
- 3.0 L
- 0-60 Time:
- 4.5 sec.
- Top Speed:
- 155 mph
In its 25 years of history, the M3 
has seen four different generations and evolved from a 2.3-liter, in-line four-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower to an impressive V-8 hitting 420 horsepower. It may not be the best sports car out there, but it is surely one that combines most of the virtues required from a sports car: an extraordinary look, great performance, the best class handling and a luxurious interior.
has seen four different generations and evolved from a 2.3-liter, in-line four-cylinder engine with 200 horsepower to an impressive V-8 hitting 420 horsepower. It may not be the best sports car out there, but it is surely one that combines most of the virtues required from a sports car: an extraordinary look, great performance, the best class handling and a luxurious interior.
In 2013, the M3’s history will move on to its next chapter, as BMW will be set to reveal the new-generation M3, featuring a 3.0-liter straight-six engine for the first time. This engine will be bumping up the M3’s horsepower to over 400.
Updated 9/5/2013: Since our rendering of the M3 Sedan was getting a little long in the tooth, we decided to make up a new one for you to drool over. Essentially, it borrows all of the M4 styling elements — bumpers, side skirts, mirrors, wheels, side vent, hood vent, black kidney grilles and roof — scaled down to a 3 Series. Additionally, we updated the rendering with the forward-leaning grille and the to-the-grille headlights. You can see the rendering above and a side-by-side comparison of the old and new renderings after the jump.
Updated 9/25/2013: BMW officially confirmed today the numbers for the new in-line six-cylinder engine that will be used for the new M3. Click past the jump to learn more about it.
Hit the jump to read more about the future BMW M3.
UPDATE HISTORY
UPDATE 07/08/2011: The British magazine AutoExpress has revealed new details about the upcoming generation BMW M3 set to be released in 2014. It seems that the newBMW M3 will be powered by a fresh 3.3-liter six-cylinder engine equipped with three turbos – one powered by electricity, rather than the exhaust gases. Output will be around 450 horsepower (up from the current output of 420 horsepower). The body will feature a mix of steel and ultra-light carbon fiber-reinforced plastic.
will be powered by a fresh 3.3-liter six-cylinder engine equipped with three turbos – one powered by electricity, rather than the exhaust gases. Output will be around 450 horsepower (up from the current output of 420 horsepower). The body will feature a mix of steel and ultra-light carbon fiber-reinforced plastic.
UPDATE 08/16/2011: Three turbos? Not so, says Autocar, whose sources are telling them that the future M3 will feature a new twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter, six-cylinder engine that is currently under development. This source describes the new engine "as being heavily differentiated from the company’s existing twin-turbocharged ‘N54’ and twin-scroll turbocharged ‘N55’ 3.0-liter engines." Apparently, the new engine will come with a management system, induction system, cylinder head, pistons, and connecting rods. We were kind of pumped about the three turbos so we’ll just have to wait and see what develops.
UPDATE 11/03/2011: BMW has filed a new patent for an electric-powered turbocharger, bringing back the old rumors about a new 3.3-liter six-cylinder engine equipped with three turbos. Hit the jump for details on this new technology! (F30Post)
UPDATE 05/22/2012: President of BMW North America, Mr. Ludwig Willisch has finally confirmed that the next M3 will feature an in-line-six layout - the same layout that will be used for the M4.
Willisch also said that, at some point, BMW was indeed considering a V6 engine for the next M3, but in the end, this choice was dropped. What he didn’t specify was whether or not the new inline-6 engine will get bi-turbo or tri-turbo. Regardless of the technology, the future M3 will deliver at least 450 horsepower.
Ludwig Willisch also confirmed that the next M3 will be lighter, faster, more powerful, and more efficient than the current M3. It will be offered with an optional or standard manual transmission.
Updated 08/13/2013: BMW has dropped a teaser video of the upcoming M3 sports sedan. The video offers us the first listen to the new straight-six engine.
Updated 08/28/2013: Our spy photographers caught the 2014 M3 out testing again, but this time, it is wearing very little camo. Basically, BMW only covered up its M styling goodies and the new to-the-grille headlights. You can see the newest spy shots after the jump.
RENDERINGS
Our newest rendering borrows most of its styling from the M4 Coupe Concept, and from the rest of the updated 3 Series lineup. It now features the to-the-grille headlight, a revised kidney grille and four doors.
EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR
The next generation BMW 3 Series comes with big changes. For the first time, customers will receive a hatchback model inspired by the 5-Series GT . There will be a new design that features to-the-grille headlights and a forward-leaning kidney grille, and the M3 will carry this along with it.
. There will be a new design that features to-the-grille headlights and a forward-leaning kidney grille, and the M3 will carry this along with it.
The elephant in the room in terms of changed for 2014 is that the M3 Coupe is gone, having been replaced by the M4 Coupe, and in its spot in the 3 Series lineup is an M3 Sedan. This will be the first time we get to see the M3 with four doors since it received the axe following the 2011 model year.
As for its exterior design, the future M3 will combine design elements from the recently launched Z4 , 5-Series , and 7-Series . It will be slightly larger in size, but with shorter front and back overhangs.
BMW M3, 5-Series , and 7-Series . It will be slightly larger in size, but with shorter front and back overhangs.
ENGINE
As for the engine, BMW is giving the axe treatment to the current V-8. Instead, BMW will opt for an M TwinPower Turbo 3.0-liter, straight-six engine. All of you power junkies can relax; this engine will deliver more horsepower and better fuel economy than the big V-8 engine it replaces. BMW estimates this six-pot TwinPower Turbo engine at 430 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, it expects a 20-percent reduction in fuel consumption compared to the V-8.
Customers will have to choose between a six-speed manual or a twin-clutch paddleshift gearbox.
ELECTRIC TURBOCHARGER TECHNOLOGY
Alas, the tri-turbo engine returns with a new patent filed by BMW for electric-powered turbocharger technology.
This new electric turbocharger seems to have addressed the age-old concerns engineers have had about turbochargers and the size of their turbines (apparently size does matter). You see, small turbines spool up quickly and provide boost via a compressor, but end up running out of steam at higher RPMs. Big turbines do just the opposite; they provide more power at high RPMs, but take too long to spool up, this creating turbo lag. BMW’s new technology doesn’t take on the traditional mechanical turbo layout because the turbine and the compressor aren’t fixed on the same axle. Thanks to two clutches, both the turbine and the compressor can be uncoupled from the turbine axle. When these two clutches are opened, the electric motor can operate without any load.
When the driver hits the acceleration pedal the clutch will close and the electric motor will connect to the compressor and give it enough air to make for a fast engine response. When the turbine has reached a certain speed, the clutch closes and both the turbine and the electric engine are used to run the compressor.
When maximum boost is attained, the electric motor acts as an alternator by generating more power for the battery. This, in turn, eliminates the need for a wastegate because the electric motor limits the amount of boost created.
WHEN CAN I BUY ONE?
The next generation BMW 3-Series will be revealed late in 2013, with sales to begin in 2014.
COMPETITION
The all-new CTS Vsport takes the place of the outgoing CTS-V sedan — so we assume — and it is one of the M3’s key competitors. It makes use of a 3.6-liter twin-turbocharged engine that cranks out 420 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. Sure, that’s a little lower than the M3 and its estimated 4.6-second 0-to-60 mph time will likely be a little slower than the M3’s sprint. Then again, we love the new look of the CTS, whereas the M3’s look is a little aged, despite its mild refresh.
The 2014 C63 AMG is not on the market yet, but Mercedes-Benz has outlined the new C63 AMG "Edition 507." It checks in with a 6.3-liter, V-8 engine that churns out 507 horsepower at 6,800 rpm and 450 pound-feet of torque at 5,200 rpm. This, combined with an AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT seven-speed sports transmission, launches the speedy Benz sedan to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and up to a top speed of 174 mph.
New straight-six engine We’re expecting an updated look New technologies We haven’t seen the real deal yet No prices Same output as the current modelPRESS RELEASE
The launch of the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupe sees BMW M GmbH revealing an all-new interpretation of the high-performance sports car – and carrying the BMW M philosophy over into the fifth generation of the M3. More than 40,000 examples of the fourth-generation BMW M3 Coupe were built, and now the BMW M4 Coupe is poised to continue this history of success. The “M4” badge is a reference to the model series that provides the basis for the new M model. And for the first time, the Coupe will be introduced at the same time as the four-door variant, which logic dictates will be christened the BMW M3.
“Four generations of the BMW M3 have blended motor sport genes and uncompromised everyday usability within an emotionally rich overall concept;” explains Dr Friedrich Nitschke, President BMW M GmbH. “The BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe represent an ongoing commitment to this philosophy. The engine is the heart of every M model, and the example fitted in the two new cars combines the virtues of a high-revving naturally aspirated unit with the strengths of turbocharger technology. An all-embracing lightweight design concept keeps the cars’ weight to just under 1,500 kilograms. The BMW M3 and BMW M4 take motor sport technology from the track to the road, and thousands of laps of the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife – the world’s most demanding race track – have readied the new models for that transition. Meticulous and passion-fuelled development work has underpinned the creation of two high-performance sports cars that set new standards in terms of overall concept, precision and agility.”
Excepts from www.topspeed.com
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