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

M3 and manual transmission fans can now exhale. These latest spy photos of the F80 M3 sedan by a Autoweek reader show the first interior photos of the F80 M3 sedan and as luck would have it, a manual shifter is clearly visible! This confirms that the F80 M3 should come with both manual transmission and M-DCT options. A smooth shifting M-DCT equipped F80 M3 has already been spied on video previously.

This comes as relief for manual transmission traditionalists as even BMW M has recently stated that it’s unsure how long it will keep developing M models with manual transmission and at some point it will simply not be offered.

The US should receive the manual transmission option as it remains the market which demands it most. … CONTINUED

Here’s more F80 M3 renders, in many colors - Melbourne Red, Singapore Gray, Black Sapphire, Carbon Black, Havana, and Estoril Blue II.

Yesterday we brought you photos of the first preliminary stage F80 M3 prototype hitting the Nurburgring, and we’ve updated the gallery today with photos of the first advanced prototypes also undergoing testing concurrently. It appears that BMW has F80 M3 models at different stages all testing at the same time at the ring

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