The Alpina F30 B3 has started development and we’ve got the first sighting of the prototype. The B3 test mule (based on the F30 335i) provides a good preview of the external styling to expect on the F30 B3, with its Alpina front lip spoiler, aggressive trunk spoiler, quad exhaust, and of course Alpina wheels. It appears that Alpina has now changed the front lip spoiler design from its original preview render. The production version is likely to feature a special exterior color as in past Alpina models.

The F30 B3 will be powered by a highly massaged (by Alpina) N55 engine which should output more than the 400HP from the current B3 S’s N54 engine. It will be offered in automatic transmission only. Expect a top … CONTINUED

The 2014 M3 (F80) prototype which was spotted in Los Angeles this past weekend has made its way into the California Mojave Desert’s Death Valley for high temperature testing.

With high temperature testing always comes the removal of some front end camouflage, necessary to increase the prototypes’ air intake and cooling; which makes us the indirect beneficiaries of ever better looks at an exposed front end.

Yesterday’s F80 M3 spy pics (some copied below) gave us the best idea yet of the lines and shape of the front end styling, and today’s sighting adds to that by showing us some even more details - particular the lines of the front bumper air vents which could not be seen through the cloth covered front apron from yesterday’s photos.

What it … CONTINUED

The F80 M3 sedan is coming together visually bit by bit with each new sighting of the development mules, and it’s looking sportier by the spotting.

We recently brought you the first look at the F80 M3 hood bulge, and now we share with you the first glimpse of the F80 M3’s front end styling, which will feature an aggressive design much like the 2013 M6’s very attractive front fascia, with a pinch of 1M styling thrown in.

Although still covered in a cloth covering, the shapes and lines of the M3 front bumper are now easily seen and there’s no mistaking its M6 like design (see the comparison photo below). The middle bumper intake is a trapezoid shape like on the M5/M6, although more aggressively angled. This … CONTINUED

The F34 3 Series GT (Gran Turismo) is just months from its debut and the first F34 chassis has now been spotted.

The 3 Series GT will feature a similar engine lineup to the F30 3 Series and we expect its public debut to possibly come at the 2013 NAIAS in January (if it will be sold in the US) or 2013 Geneva show in March.

For previous coverage and details thus far on the F34 GT, see http://www.bimmerpost.com/?s=f34

Although it’s a powerful beast, it’s clear that a stock F10 M5 is no match for the Ferrari 458 on the track. But, how about a tuned M5 with 640hp? The M5 is tuned by PP-Performance to 640HP and 780 NM torque. Goes from 0-100kmh in 3.9 seconds and 310kmh top speed.

Check out the results from this comparison video of the M5 vs Ferrari at the Yas Marina track in Abu Dhabi.

The 2014 BMW F80 M3 and M6 Gran Coupe have landed stateside, with the first spotting coming in Los Angeles!

We have added more photos of the first F82 M4 Coupe prototype spotted last week. Full gallery inside.

After studying the first photos of the F80 M3 with its “power dome” we think that it’s likely to be a functional heat extractor vent underneath the camouflage. Let’s analyze.

The shape of the bulge on the M3’s hood is not the typical fully raised dome as seen on the E90/E92 M3 or E46 M3. Instead, it’s a raised “U” shape with 3 raised sides while the area in between remains level with the rest of the hood. See the render below for a visual.

Assuming there is a functional reason for the hood dome in the first place, we can’t think of a reason for this particular shape if the goal is to provide clearance for some engine parts underneath. However, the raised hood shape makes far … CONTINUED

We have posted even more photos of the latest 2014 M3 (F80) sedan prototype to be spotted, which shows a more aggressive hood with power dome/bulge.