We’ve posted plenty of spy photos and videos of the next generation M3 sedan (F80) but this is the first high speed chase video we’ve seen, and the chase car is no slouch. Watch as a tuned BMW 1M coupe (with 420hp) pushes a F80 M3 prototype to 240+km/h on the Autobahn.
The F80 M3 is due to debut in the second half of 2013, likely for market release in Europe at the end of 2013 and in the US early 2014.
We had the opportunity to sit down with the gracious Dr. Friedrich Nitschke, current BMW M GmbH President, at the 2012 Geneva Motorshow last week. We were primarily interested in discussing future M models and developments and here’s what we are able to report.
Is it safe to assume that will there will be a successor to the popular 1M coupe?
We sold more than 5000 units worldwide and we are thinking for a successor, but we haven’t made a decision yet.
We’ve seen next generation M3 sedan prototypes for a while now. What M3 variants can we expect for the next generation?
The M3 is an icon and it’s very important for us to make it a perfect fit for our customer. It has to be a … CONTINUED
We continue to spy the BMW F80 M3 sedan conducting winter testing in the frozen surroundings of Northern Sweden. This time we’ve got 3+ minutes of footage on the next generation 2014 M3.
Two days ago we brought you spy photos of the 2013 BMW F80 M3 sedan being cold weather tested in Sweden. We’ve now put together some live video footage of the F80 M3 making its rounds on BMW’s winter test track.
It’s been a while since the last F80 M3 spy photos, but we’ve now spotted the next generation F80 BMW M3 Sedan undergoing winter testing in Sweden. Compared to the previous spyshots, the F80 prototype has lost a bit of camouflage - mostly at the rear which now shows the tail lights in their full glory. The car’s appearance is low, wide, and impressive with massive fender flares. The M3’s kidney grilles are also very obviously styled in a sleeker/sportier shape than the F30 3 series sedan.
We also spot 4 piston fixed caliper brakes at the front and 2 piston fixed piston calipers at the rear axle, mated to the M trademark slotted drilled brake discs. BMW M’s newly developed active rear differential will likely make … CONTINUED
We spent some time at the 2012 Detroit NAIAS with Matt Russell, M Brand Manager for BMW North America. Matt is a BMW enthusiast like us and is a BIMMERPOST member himself. We asked Matt some current hot M related topics and he was able to share the following.
BMW 1M COUPE
What were the final production numbers for the US 1M?
740 units. The very first one imported was the Valencia Orange 1M Pace Car which debuted at the Rolex 24 hour race at Daytona.
Matt further expanded on the reason the 1M production run wasn’t extended into the 2012 model year. It was not due to any issues related to engine/emissions certification, but simply because BMW could not get enough MY2012 production to justify homologation. This had … CONTINUED
The 2013 F80 M3 sedan continues public testing, and we’ve just spotted it in Munich. Wearing the same level of camouflage as seen in our previously posted photos and videos, the F80 M3 continues to show off its brawny shape and proportions.
Expected in 2013, the F80 M3 has been conducting road testing since the summer of 2011. Based on the same platform/chassis as the 2012 3 Series sedan (F30), the F80 M3 will powered by a turbocharged 6 cylinder engine (inline or V configuration not yet confirmed). The number and type of turbos to be used is a topic of much speculation. Two or three turbos is likely, and could potentially include the use of electric turbo(s).
Regardless of what engine layout is eventually … CONTINUED
Posted to our facebook page by artist Jacek Kolodziejczyk are these beautiful renders of a BMW F82 M3/M4 coupe. Although the F82 M3/M4 coupe won’t receive the same front fascia as the F80 M3 sedan (as depicted in these renders), this is nonetheless a fun and imaginative look at what the next M3 coupe could somewhat resemble, at least in size and proportioning.
Some weeeks ago we brought bring you the very first video of the 2013 BMW M3 sedan internally dubbed F80. We’ve now posted the first footage of F80 M3 prototypes on and around the Nurburgring and conducting high speed performance runs!
As you’d expect from an M3, the F80 prototype looks very planted and stable while being pushed around the Nurburgring. The video provides the best listen yet at the F80’s engine/exhaust noise. And although we can tell with certainty that it’s powered by a 6 cylinder engine (to be turbocharged), it’s difficult to discern whether the engine is an inline or V configuration. BMW M CEO Dr. Nitschke recently stated that they wouldn’t do a V6, but we’ve also been tipped otherwise.
The number and type of … CONTINUED
