After giving you a first taste of the new BMW M4 hardtop convertible earlier today, we now have another fresh batch of scoop photos, this time of the M3 Sedan in a very revealing outfit, as the Bavarian firm’s engineers peeled away most of the camouflage seen on previous testers.
The only model to carry on the illustrious M3 nameplate after BMW’s decision to rename the two door models, shares the same styling and performance upgrades as the upcoming M4 Coupe and Convertible in a more practical saloon body.
Based on the regular F30 3-series, BMW‘s designers have muscled up the appearance of the sedan with bloated wheel arches that are filled with chunky 19-inch wheels, a power dome on the hood, an M double-spoke grille, aggressively styled front and rear bumpers, bespoke mirrors, a rear diffuser, side skirts and a rather discrete boot lid spoiler. And oh, just so you won’t confuse it with a 320i (in the U.S) or a 316i (in Europe and elsewhere) when looking at it from the rear, there’s the typical M-style four-pipe exhaust system.
The car also sits lower than any other 3-Series sedan, thanks to its sports-tuned sports suspension. Other chassis upgrades include a beefed up braking system with huge discs (carbon fiber units will be offered optionally), a different steering system and unique software for the electronic aids.
Power will come from a brand-new 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six replacing the outgoing M3’s naturally-aspirated 4.0-liter V8. While the new unit is expected to be only marginally more powerful, BMW is said to have placed emphasis on reducing the M3’s weight, so performance (as well as handling and economy) should be improved.
Reason says that there will be two transmission options, a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, but rumors have been flying around about BMW ditching the stick shift.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS
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