New-gen BMW M3 flaunts its wheel arches on the ‘Ring

-    The new-gen M3 is expected to break cover later this year. 

-    Will get a boost in power with additional weight saving measures. 

BMW has moved the testing of the new-gen M3 from cold weather to the hot-and-happening Nurburgring. The performance sedan hasn’t lost any of its body cladding from its previous appearance but we can see the aggressive shape of the M3 as it is careening hard at the ‘Ring. 

We know now that the new M3 will pack the same 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six under the muscled hood. But it will see a bump of 40 horsepower. The motor should punch out around 480bhp in the standard guise and with the potent CS and Competition trims, this figure could breach the 500bhp mark. Moreover, owing to the new platform, there will be additional weight saving of up to 65 kilograms. 

Appearance wise, there will be all the usual performance treatment like massive air dams up front, chunkier wheels and quad exhaust at the rear. And there will be additional aero bits, lowered ride height, stiffer bodywork and reworked suspension to go with the aggressive stance. Apart from that, it will also sport larger brakes, new sportier body colours and all the latest gizmos on the inside. Interestingly, the prototype is missing the classic M3 mirrors seen on the E92 and F30 versions. But we hope this will change in the production body.  

What remains to be seen is whether the M3 will adopt the xDrive all-wheel-drive layout as the new M5. But given that BMW is also prepping the M3 and M4 Pure variants, they’d like to keep things as 'back-to-the-roots' as possible. And although the faith of the M3 Touring (estate) is undecided, the Bavarian carmaker will now bring in a new four-door M4 Gran Coupe version. 

After the reveal at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, the sixth-generation BMW M3 will also arrive in India sometime next year. It will continue to lock horns with the likes of Audi RS4 and Mercedes-AMG C63 apart from other niche competitors like Cadillac ATS-V, Alfa Romeo Giulia and more.