Building upon the S55 3.0 liter six-cylinder unit found in the M3/M4, BMW M engineers will give us next year the S58 unit with upgraded hardware and a power output at around 470-475 horsepower. The new powerplant will make its debut in the X3M and X4M, followed a couple of years later by the next generation M3/M4.
This will be the first time a BMW X3 M will be offered and fans of the brand and this particular model will surely be excited to see it finally materialize after years of waiting. The X3 M will actually be late to the game as its rivals from Audi and Mercedes-Benz already have performance versions out, in the shape of the Audi SQ5 and GLC63 AMG.
The X4 M will be powered by the same unit.
We’ve heard rumors that the upcoming G80 BMW M3 could be the first BMW M car to feature a hybrid powertrain. It’s getting a 48-volt electric system, so it’s also possible that the new M3 is a MHEV (Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle).
Being built on BMW’s latest CLAR architecture, expect quite a lot of carbon fiber used in the new BMW M3. It should get the same carbon fiber roof as every other current BMW M car and it should also have some carbon fiber in the chassis structure. So the upcoming G80 BMW M3 will be lighter than the outgoing car, while also having more power.
And thanks to the new engine, significantly faster.
