This is one highly anticipated E92-based variant from BMW, seeing that the newly-launched BMW 335i coupe is about as fast as the outgoing E46 M3. Without a doubt, this 2008 M3 will be even faster and all the more furious…naturally (pun intended)! Under the shapely and muscular hood is likely a 4.0L V-8 that punches out power figures in excess of 400bhp circa 8,000rpm. Century dash is expected to be sub-5secs and top end nothing short of 300km/h if unlimited.
These are pictures of the upcoming all-new M3 being shown at the 2007 Geneva Auto Salon as a concept. The production car is expected to look no different. Remember the E60 M5 Concept shown the same way a few years ago? Anyway, notable changes as compared to the ‘lesser’ coupe include the power-bulged hood, more aerodynamic wing mirrors, fussier looking front/rear bumpers, rear diffusers, carbon fibre roof and vented front plastic fenders with that all-iconic embedded M3 emblem. The other body parts of the 2008 M3 are however nicked off the standard 3-series coupe production line. These are regular items like BMW’s signature angel-eye headlamps, E92 taillights, doors, windows, windscreens and boot lid.
The sixteen-spoke 19" M-alloys should make it to the showroom unit. BMW’s M division manic-revving V8 ‘monster’ will transmit its brute to the tarmac – by way of the rear wheels, of course - via a conventional six-speed manual transmission or a robotised dual-clutch unit, not unlike Volkswagen-Audi Group’s DSG. It looks like the still-juddery and lurchy SMGIII (as featured in the M5) is history in the books of high performance BMW M cars, if the new M3 is the yardstick for things to come.
* Watch this blog for an upcoming drive report of the BMW E60 M5.
These are pictures of the upcoming all-new M3 being shown at the 2007 Geneva Auto Salon as a concept. The production car is expected to look no different. Remember the E60 M5 Concept shown the same way a few years ago? Anyway, notable changes as compared to the ‘lesser’ coupe include the power-bulged hood, more aerodynamic wing mirrors, fussier looking front/rear bumpers, rear diffusers, carbon fibre roof and vented front plastic fenders with that all-iconic embedded M3 emblem. The other body parts of the 2008 M3 are however nicked off the standard 3-series coupe production line. These are regular items like BMW’s signature angel-eye headlamps, E92 taillights, doors, windows, windscreens and boot lid.
The sixteen-spoke 19" M-alloys should make it to the showroom unit. BMW’s M division manic-revving V8 ‘monster’ will transmit its brute to the tarmac – by way of the rear wheels, of course - via a conventional six-speed manual transmission or a robotised dual-clutch unit, not unlike Volkswagen-Audi Group’s DSG. It looks like the still-juddery and lurchy SMGIII (as featured in the M5) is history in the books of high performance BMW M cars, if the new M3 is the yardstick for things to come.
* Watch this blog for an upcoming drive report of the BMW E60 M5.
