We had the opportunity to sit down with the gracious Dr. Friedrich Nitschke, current BMW M GmbH President, at the 2012 Geneva Motorshow last week. We were primarily interested in discussing future M models and developments and here’s what we are able to report.
Is it safe to assume that will there will be a successor to the popular 1M coupe?
We sold more than 5000 units worldwide and we are thinking for a successor, but we haven’t made a decision yet.
We’ve seen next generation M3 sedan prototypes for a while now. What M3 variants can we expect for the next generation?
The M3 is an icon and it’s very important for us to make it a perfect fit for our customer. It has to be a … CONTINUED
We continue to spy the BMW F80 M3 sedan conducting winter testing in the frozen surroundings of Northern Sweden. This time we’ve got 3+ minutes of footage on the next generation 2014 M3.
Follow VSmotorsport’s build of a E92 M3 coupe race car which they intend to race in the SCCA T2 class.
The M Performance Parts party continues. Just minutes after our Live Gallery of the F20 125i equipped with M Performance Parts, BMW has published the full M Performance parts catalog to coincide with its official release/announcement at the 2012 Geneva Motorshow.
M Performance Parts carry the M name because they have been developed together with M engineers for both performance and aesthetics enhancement. This collaboration with M engineers began just last year. This is what sets M Performance Parts apart from what used to be called simply “BMW Performance Parts” (which will be no more going forward).
As of now, M Performance Parts are or will be available for these models:
F10 5-series
F20 1-series
F30 3-serie… CONTINUED
Two days ago we brought you spy photos of the 2013 BMW F80 M3 sedan being cold weather tested in Sweden. We’ve now put together some live video footage of the F80 M3 making its rounds on BMW’s winter test track.
Exclusive new Limited Edition BMW M3 Coupé and Convertible models are coming to the UK from March this year. These special interpretations of the legendary high-performance 3 Series are available in a strictly limited, and suitably patriotic, colour palette of Imola Red, Mineral White or Santorini Blue.
Just 500 of these models will be built (Coupé and Convertible combined), each one featuring an edition designation laser cut into the trim inlay on the dashboard. Mechanically, the Limited Edition 500 is unchanged over the M3 in technical specification, using the acclaimed 420hp V8 engine, M-specific chassis with either six-speed manual or seven-speed M DCT transmission.
The three striking exterior colours of the BMW M3 Limited Edition 500 are complemented by the characteristic M-car signature details of the kidney grille … CONTINUED
BIMMERPOST sponsored this past weekend’s Airstrip Attack, a runway shootout race event held at the Trona Airport near Death Valley, California. The event saw some of the most powerful European, Domestic, and Japanese cars from California go head-to-head on a half mile stretch of tarmac. The classes ranged from 400hp+ all the way to 1000hp+.
The following race featured an ESS VT650 Arkym Supercharged BMW M3 vs. a Porsche 911 997 Twin Turbo (w/ upgraded turbos). Full specs of the cars are listed in the video.
It’s been a while since the last F80 M3 spy photos, but we’ve now spotted the next generation F80 BMW M3 Sedan undergoing winter testing in Sweden. Compared to the previous spyshots, the F80 prototype has lost a bit of camouflage - mostly at the rear which now shows the tail lights in their full glory. The car’s appearance is low, wide, and impressive with massive fender flares. The M3’s kidney grilles are also very obviously styled in a sleeker/sportier shape than the F30 3 series sedan.
We also spot 4 piston fixed caliper brakes at the front and 2 piston fixed piston calipers at the rear axle, mated to the M trademark slotted drilled brake discs. BMW M’s newly developed active rear differential will likely make … CONTINUED
BIMMERPOST sponsored this past weekend’s Airstrip Attack, a runway shootout race event held at the Trona Airport near Death Valley, California. The event saw some of the most powerful European, Domestic, and Japanese cars from California go head-to-head on a half mile stretch of tarmac. The classes ranged from 400hp+ all the way to 1000hp+.
The following race featured an ESS VT650 Arkym Supercharged BMW M3 vs. Alpha 6 Nissan GT-R. Check out the result.
We’ll be posting many more shootout videos from the event, so stay tuned to our homepage for updates.
