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 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.
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.
We’ve just spied this afternoon this F80 M3 sedan prototype showing a power dome / hood bulge for the first time. The M3 may have now entered the FEP (Final Evaluation Phase) stage of testing. Until now some M enthusiasts have been disappointed to see the lack of a power dome on previous prototypes, but this mule confirms that the F80 M3 and F82 M4 will feature an aggressively shaped hood.
The rest of the camouflage remains as concealing as on prior mules. As seen clearly, the M3 kidney grilles are sportier than the F30 3 Series, yet not as thin nor wide as the recently exposed F82 M4 coupe grilles (pictured below for comparison). The headlights underneath the camo may (unconfirmed) also be a sleeker version … CONTINUED
It’s not official until it’s official (BMW announces it publicly), but further confirming clues that the F32 coupe will be badged as the 4 Series Coupe comes from a list of a list of forthcoming miniature scale models that BMW AG has released internally in Germany, according to BMW insider Scott26.
In addition to the new M6 models and 6 Series Gran Coupe, they identify the F34 3 Series Gran Turismo and the F32 “4 Series” Coupe as the upcoming BMW miniatures to be released.
If true, with the F32 coupe badged as a 4 Series, expect the M version to be named the M4 coupe, as per tradition for M models. The only reason this doesn’t happen is if the BMW board decides to break with BMW’s … CONTINUED
Here are some renders put together by site member E92Alpine328i (Jerry).
Our analysis:
M4 COUPE (F82)
The F82 M4 coupe render will prove to be the more accurate of the two. Most accurate is the M6 style bumper, which BMW insider Scott26 has recently said (and sketched) to be the styling to expect for the M4 coupe. The F32 4 Series coupe and F82 M4 coupe are expected to feature similar headlights to the F30 3 series, but should be sleeker/slimmer. Their kidney grilles will be also be sleeker than those seen on the render, as the recently exposed 4 Series coupe grille spy photos show.
No spy photos have yet to show a hood bulge, and the anticipated inline 6 turbo engine should fit under the bonnet without … CONTINUED
We brought you the first photos of the 2015 M4 Coupe prototype earlier today, now have a first live look and listen at the prototype in action on the Nurburgring.
What you’re seeing and hearing is the F80 M3 / F82 M4’s anticipated inline 6 cylinder engine with multiple turbochargers, pushing approximately 450 horsepowers. The engine has been rumored to be an extensively reworked and reinforced N55 6-cylinder engine with a strengthened aluminium block with a heavily modified cylinder head. The Induction technology is said to be completely new as will be the latest bi-vanos variable valve timing. But, we also think that there may be a possibility that the engine turns out to be a reworked/enhanced version of a successor engine to the N55 (which has … CONTINUED