Now that we’ve been impressed by the G20 BMW 3 Series, we have our eyes set on the upcoming BMW M3. Dubbed ‘G80‘, the next-gen M3 will be the most high-tech, most powerful and most technical impressive M3 yet. So, naturally, we’re very interested to see how it turns out. In some new spy photos, we get possibly our closest look yet at the next-gen M3.
In these spy photos, we see a very heavily camouflaged G80 BMW M3 doing some road testing. Honestly, there’s not much we can learn about the look of the M3 that we don’t already know, as its camo covers basically everything. The only real new point of interest is the lower front fascia, which seems to have absolutely massive front air intakes. It also gets what seems to be a bit of a continuation of the Kidney Grilles underneath them, which is a bit odd. It’s almost like Audi’s grilles from the early 2,000s, with a grille that’s seemingly bisected top-to-bottom by a bit of trim at the front.
That’s about it for any new exterior details, though. In terms of mechanics, we know that the G80 BMW M3 will use the brand’s new S58 engine, which is an M-ified version of the current, and brilliant, B58. So it will make around 480 hp in its standard form but will have about 510 hp in Competition spec. That makes it the first M3 to break 500 hp from the factory. It’s also the first M car to be offered with all-wheel drive.
The standard BMW M3 will be offered with a choice of either a manual gearbox or an eight-speed auto and either rear or all-wheel drive. Though, the latter can only be had with an auto ‘box. While the BMW M3 Competition will only be available with an automatic and all-wheel drive. So if you want a manual, you’ll have to choose a standard rear-wheel drive model.
We’re very excited about this next-gen M3 and we can’t wait to see what it looks like when the camo wrap finally comes off. Especially so we can see what that weird grille design is all about.
[Images: motor.es ]
Oh my god I think they’re trolling us by making it look like the grille goes all the way to the ground.
Just like these renderings that caused such a stir.
Also the headlight and grille look to be the same as the G20 which goes against using the coupe front end on the sedan as previous generations. Unless its just a test mule front end.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/27172450f7436a44ed33b0741d99a26c9bd0bb9f2b09da9cfa6d550135c5bbd2.jpg
Nice picture of an Edsel/Audi.
Grilles are for plebes, drivers can’t actually see them.
Serious late Edsel vibe.
RWD+DCT/MT or no go. Screw the 8 speed slush box abomination…
No one is forcing you to buy it.
Nor type about it.
@It’s a VW
I was able to see myself in the mirror today.
Great! Get back to us when you show up in an I.Q. test. Or when you can spell I.Q.
Have you even driven a BMW with ZF 8HP?
It most definitely is not a slushbox, so I am guessing “NO!”
Drove every BMW with what they call the ‘best iteration’: F90, M850i, M135i, M235i. None of them impressed me on manual shifts and they are prone to overheating (I’ve seen M135i refusing to downshift after 5 autocross laps). The transmission does not belong in M3 or any sports car.
What about the shifts were you not impressed with?
There is nearly a full second lag on downshifts going into a corner, and the upshifts struggle to offer immediate response if you shift at the redline. This was never an issue with M DCT.
I do not know if M135i have auxiliary ATF coolers. The larger cars tend to include them. The less expensive cars only have heat exchangers in the radiators which do not cool ATF.
Yes, that’s what the kidney grille of the M3 G80 should look like. BMW is testing the new M3 since 2 years under strong camouflage now. It’s time to introduce the new M3 next month at the IAA in Frankfurt and not next year.
I really hope so, but it’s been said that an IAA reveal won’t happen.
I believe in miracles.
How ?
It will be like this :
https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1646019
No matter if you agree or not…
I don’t think so. Last I checked it will be similar to those from M340i and Alpina B3, see the latest spy pics above. Everything else would be a bad joke. Why should the guys in M take the monsterious Kidney grille from i vision dynamics and put it on M3? Doesn’t make sense to me. It would destroy the whole front fascia.
All of our enthusiast hopes are riding on Flasch and his team to properly communicate via the design language of M products (if they’ve not forgotten that this segment caters to a discerning buyer base).
It will not be easy, financial pressures and compromised executive vision have been known to dilute the spirit of motorsport even in today’s niche M products.
What niche? Biggest M range ever & every other manufacturer chasing them, N most recently. Wonder where the name came from? Also the staff. What is your first language?
yes;)
I don’t agree… clearly you need a bumper in the middle and some space for the license plate… it’s a EU car… And if you see the camos even on these there is license plate where the supposedbumper should be and the bottom is just like any M kit aero… i don’t think you should expect something that radically different, makes no sense the M3 has never been that different from the base model’s face.
i told you it will be like that. just watch.
Yet it’s next year. First with a prototype drive.
Technical data such as engine and drive train are also known since the appearance of the new X3M and X4M. Why for heavens sake next year? What could be the reason for it’s delay? Uranus retrograde, or the upcoming C63S maybe???
The reason?! Simply normal development cycle..the M versions are usually always later in the game. Gives also another market impuls for the standard car…
M3 came always 1 and a half year after 3 series. Time cycle seems to be longer this time.
Yup
According to Auto Motor und Sport, M3 will celebrate its premiere at the IAA.
Won’t happen
Alpina B3 2020 model spy pics looks very nice too.
https://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/neuheiten/erlkoenig-alpina-b3-2020-3er-edelausfuehrung/
“… relies on the engine on the 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine (S58), which is known from the BMW X3 M.”
That would seal the deal for me. I bet it is a misprint.
Grill is only regular height, another surefire deal closer for me also.
Why would it be a misprint, this has been confirmed already i think and that’s the only thing that makes sense so no reasons to doubt it.
Hope they throw in a DCT last minute
You can clearly see the edge of the normal kidneys. So i think they are just trolling with that monster grille…
Of course they’re. Bimmerpost makes the absolute worst renders.
What exactly looks “mean” about this?