Now that the new M6 coupe/convertible and M5 have all debuted, our thoughts often turn to the next M3 - the F80. And although we’ve previously rendered the F80, here is our take on what the next generation M3 may resemble now that the M6 has been revealed. So far, the multitude of F80 M3 spy photos / videos we’ve posted have not been very telling in terms of the lower front bumper design, but we’ve used our imagination based on the new M6 and M5 to take a stab at what the F80 M3’s front fascia may resemble The prototypes have also yet to show what the fender gills will look like, so we’ve adapted a version somewhat similar to that seen on the new … CONTINUED

We had the chance to speak to BMW NA M Brand Manager Matt Russell and BMW M Marketing Director Thomas Schemera at the 2012 NYIAS about many things M. We covered some hot topics/models, including the M5, M6, M3 (current and future generation) and M Performance Automobiles.

M5 / M6
Can you tell us about the changes to the 2013 M5 from the 2012 M5? Why the wait for the 2013 model year for the US market?

It’s nothing major. It’s small things; it’s electronics underneath, little computer things. It’s definitely not customer-facing changes and not a great deal of functionality change.

How does the manual transmission affect the M5’s performance?

About 0.10 second 0-60mph difference (slower than DCT). We don’t have official EPA MPG estimates yet, but it’s not much. … CONTINUED

Lovely Spring days bring warmer weather but it also returns BMW prototypes to Nürburgring testing, and we’ve just spied on video the king of all current BMW prototypes - the much-anticipated [B]F80 M3 Sedan[/B]. Powered by an inline 6 or V6 displacing more than 3 litres good for roughly 450hp and featuring up to 3 turbos (with possible electric turbo), the new M3 is set to be better than its predecessor in any and every regard, as usual. BMW will again offer both a 6-speed manual and an (optional) 7-speed double clutch transmission for the M3.

As we’ve oft repeated, the new 2014 F80 M3 may be the only M3 model BMW will offer for the next generation as rumors suggest that the F82 … CONTINUED

After a few months of cold weather testing in the frozen climate of Sweden, the 2014 M3 F80 sedan has returned to further honing where it most belongs and excels - on the Nurburgring track. As we approach the warmer months we should begin to see it undergo hot weather testing where it will hopefully shed some more camouflage for the sake of adequate cooling.

In this sighting, we get some good close looks at the F80 M3 kidney grilles which we’ve pointed out before as being sleeker/sportier than that on the F30 3 Series. The production side view mirrors (which also be sportier in shape) have not yet been installed on any prototypes.

4 piston fixed brake calipers stop the front wheels while 2 piston fixed brakes … CONTINUED

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 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