It is always a special thing when a BMW begins development testing at the Nurburgring. Not only does it reassure us BMW faithful that Munich’s finest is being properly developed and tested on the world’s most hallowed racetrack, it also marks the next step towards final release of the car.

Looking at the car itself, it seems to be an earlier prototype which still retains the body armor protecting it from revealing eyes and cameras. However, it does appear when looking at our earlier more revealing spyphotos and videos that the design is already complete. However, what many of us speculate is not complete is the development and decision on the power train. I include the word decision because as there is debate among enthusiast circles about … CONTINUED

With the official pictures of the F30 3-Series now available, Photoshop artists have taken to creating a more accurate picture of what the next generation M3 may look like.

We received some great feedback and response on our F80 M3 renders, including several requests for a red version, as long as one with a hood powerdome. We’ve updated our set of renders with some new Melbourne Red photos that should make red M3 fans happy.

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

Exciting news! After several sets of spy shots, we’re happy to finally share the very first spy video of the 2014 M3 Sedan, internally dubbed the F80. As usual, this video provides a much more dynamic impression of the car than photos. No surprise that the new M3 looks very planted as it’s sitting fairly low and shows no body roll in these (admittedly) urban driving scenes. Overall, the M3 with its M bumpers and bulging wheel arches looks pugnacious and much more aggressive than the F30 3-series in the F30 spy photos/videos.

What’s new in this video besides the live view and sounds? Looking at the F80 from behind, you can finally make out the limited slip differential and two mid pipes running from the engine … 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

The next generation F30/F32 M3 continues its testing and we’ve now spotted it for the second time, in much higher detail (click on photos below for hi-res versions).

As before, the signature M3 cues are all clearly seen - quad exhaust, flared fenders, wider track, drilled rotors, and beefier front end. The brakes feature 4 piston calipers.

We believe we may be looking at a different front end on this M3 than on the regular F30 3-series sedan. The clearest clue is the shape of the kidney grilles, which seem to be shapelier and thinner than those seen on the F30 3-series prototypes (see below for comparison). The entire front end also seems to be a different shape compared to the F30 3-series prototypes. Is it possible that … CONTINUED