Following the reveal of the controversial Concept 4 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, BMW indirectly confirms that the new M3 is getting the huge kidney grille after a test car was spotted during development work.

The car you see in the spy shots has ditched the previously fitted camouflage on its grille, leaving the vertical slats of it out in the open; BMW is still trying to create the illusion of a smaller grille with a set of fake surrounds.

Also Read: BMW M Boss Confirms 2020 M3 Will Have 473 HP And All-Wheel Drive

The rest of the bodywork differences of the upcoming M3 include a set of blistered fenders all around to cover the bigger wheels/tires combo and the wider tracks, deeper side sills and a new rear bumper, alongside the quad exhaust pipes.

The upcoming 2020 BMW M3 will use the new S58 engine that debuted in the X3 M and X4 M models; the twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six unit will produce 473 HP (480 PS) in the base M3 variant and 503 HP (510 PS) in Competition guise, according to BMW M boss Marcus Flasch.

The powertrain will be completed with the use of an all-wheel drive system similar to that in the M5, which means that the new M3 will feature a special “drift mode” for those who want the full BMW M driving experience.

Previous reports also talked about the next M3 -and M4- still offering a manual transmission option in addition to the automatic one. There are also rumors on a possible “Pure” variant of the model that will feature rear-wheel drive, a six-speed manual and a less powerful version of the new twin-turbo six-cylinder engine.

The next BMW M3 is expected to debut in mid-2020 and if the Concept 4 was any indication, it’s going to be a wild ride with the fans.

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