A mystery BMW model appeared at the BMW Museum a bit over a month ago, shrouded under a big blue tarp. It’s yet to be positively identified, but could this possibly be the next generation F80 M3 sedan or F82 M4 coupe?

There’s not much to go off of by way of the sparse photos, but the one part of the car that can be partially seen - the wheels, happen to match the wheels that have been spotted on the F80 M3 sedan prototypes from our spy photos.

It’s premature for any F80 M3 concept to be shown, much less an F82 M4 coupe (the F32 4 series coupe upon which the M4 will be based has not even debuted yet), but is it just our hopeful … CONTINUED

We can finally confirm that the next generation M3 (F80 / F82) will be powered by an inline 6 cylinder engine. We spoke to the President of BMW North America, Mr. Ludwig Willisch, at the ongoing M6 convertible / 6 Gran Coupe US press launch and he has officially confirmed that the next generation M3’s engine will indeed feature an inline 6 layout and not a V6.

Until now, there has been no official confirmation (nor denial) from BMW on whether the F80 sedan and F82 coupe’s motor would feature an I6 or rumored V6 configuration (although it’s been all but a foregone conclusion that it will utilize forced induction by way of turbos).

Mr. Willisch added that a V6 configuration was previously considered (including whether a motor … CONTINUED