Some weeeks ago we brought bring you the very first video of the 2013 BMW M3 sedan internally dubbed F80. We’ve now posted the first footage of F80 M3 prototypes on and around the Nurburgring and conducting high speed performance runs!

As you’d expect from an M3, the F80 prototype looks very planted and stable while being pushed around the Nurburgring. The video provides the best listen yet at the F80’s engine/exhaust noise. And although we can tell with certainty that it’s powered by a 6 cylinder engine (to be turbocharged), it’s difficult to discern whether the engine is an inline or V configuration. BMW M CEO Dr. Nitschke recently stated that they wouldn’t do a V6, but we’ve also been tipped otherwise.

The number and type of … CONTINUED

Turbochargers are a popular technology in the automotive world as of late. It allows rather low displacement engines to have relatively high power outputs, while also managing to return fairly good fuel consumption figures (on paper).

Despite the technology being decades old, some of its drawbacks could still be improved upon. One of these issues is the well-known problem of turbo size. A smaller turbine spools up quicky but runs out of steam at higher revs while a bigger turbine offers enough power at high revs but often is too slow at lower revs which results in turbo lag.

BMW has now patented its own idea on how to address these issues, and it involves the use of an often rumored “electric turbocharger”.

We reported before that BMW has … CONTINUED

Now that the next generation F80 M3 sedan has been both spied and confirmed, the natural next question is what will it look like? We’ve taken up the task of previewing what the F80 may look like in our new set of renders.

We received insider input on these renders and the feedback is that these images are generally a good representation of the next M3 sedan. The new distinctive headlight-grille area design is straight from our F30 renders and uncovered spy pics. The M styled bumper resembles the new F10 M5, which the F80 M3 is said to be a smaller version of. The F80 M3 will receive sportier mirrors compared to the F30.

Rumored powerplant configurations have been all over the map - from … CONTINUED

Now that the F80 M3 sedan has been given the greenlight, our spies have spotted the F80 M3 continuing its public road testing. While the camouflage on the F80 prototype remains the same as before, we’ve got some more angles to share with you - a slightly higher-down look than before. The F80 M3 continues to show off its attractive proportions and shape, while looking more aggressive and ‘beefier’ than the standard F30 3 series due to its widened wheel arches, M styled front and rear bumpers and sideskirts, and quad exhaust. It does not yet show the sportier mirrors that the production version F80 will receive.

If you take a close look, we may be looking at a different front end on the F80 M3 than … CONTINUED

Rumors of BMW considering V6 engines have been floating around for quite some while now. One possible future application often mentioned when talking about such an engine is the upcoming F80 M3 (F82 M4). As we reported earlier, BMW was studying no less than four potential engine choices for the next M3.

To add to the speculation, we’ve just discovered that BMW has filed a patent for a unique twin-turbo V6 engine last year. Have a look at this schematic BMW submitted to the German patent office to describe the patent filing:

As BMW describes in their patent application, this image shows “the principle of this turbocharger layout invention (#1) in a 6-cylinder internal combustion engine in V configuration (#2) with a first cylinder bank … CONTINUED

We’re happy to bring exciting news on the next generation M3. The next generation M3 sedan / M4 coupe will be designated the “F80 M3″. Along with this news comes word that the F80 M3 will indeed return in sedan form (already spied in testing)! The BMW F80 M3 Sedan will likely have its market launch in summer 2013, uncharacteristically before the F82 M4 coupe.

As things look to us, the M3 sedan will be the only model called M3. M3 coupe and convertible versions (F82 M3 and F83 M3) will likely be branded as M4. This might have played a role in BMW’s decision for another iteration of the M3 sedan. Previous rumors of BMW not bringing another M3 sedan turned out to be … CONTINUED

Exciting moment folks! We bring you the very first spyshots of the next generation F30 M3 / F32 M3. These photos show an F30 3-series sedan with several trademark M3 features such as quad-exhaust, flared fenders and drilled brake discs.

Scott26 claims that these photos are no indication of an M3 sedan making it to production. Rather, BMW had only an F30 prototype to use for testing the M3 parts and components. Don’t count the F30 M3 sedan out yet however, as it’s been alluded to that it may still be in the plans — despite the rather slow sales of the E90 M3 sedan. That this prototype F30 M3 has wider fenders indicates to us that this is merely the F32 M3 … CONTINUED

Musical chairs for the next generation M3’s powerplant continues. If Autoexpress’ latest rumor is accurate, the F30/F32 M3 is expected to feature a tri-turbo 3.3L 6-cylinder motor. One of the turbos would be powered by electricity (not exhaust gases as with traditional setups). The motor is speculated to produce 450bhp.

The F30/F32 M3’s body would make use of CFRP to keep its weight down. Dr. Friedrich Nitschke, BMW M’s new managing director also revealed the following to Autoexpress regarding the next gen M3: “There will be a bigger focus on very low fuel consumption,” “The new M3 will prove this.”

Autoexpress comes in with some exciting confirmation from BMW M GmbH’s new managing director Dr. Friedrich Nitschke - the M2 is in the works. But that’s not all… a ‘revolutionary’ new M3 is in development and discussions are underway about a possible Lamborghini Aventador rival supercar!

The M2 will be based off BMW’s F22 platform (Autoexpress uses ‘F21′) and will be based on the upcoming 2-series / 2 series coupe (BMW has plans to rebadge its small coupe model as 2-series beginning the next generation) due in early 2014. Its looks will purportedly be instantly recognizable from the standard model with unique front and rear end styling (though most likely not as radical and unique as Autoexpress’ renders). The M2 coupe would be expected sometime in 2014/2015.

Two … CONTINUED