Autoblog

Next BMW M3 returning to inline six-cylinder engine

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 22 May 2012 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, BMW

BMW M3 purists, rejoice. According to F30Post.com, BMW's North American boss, Ludwig Willisch, has confirmed that the next-generation M3 will be powered by an inline six-cylinder engine. That's right, the V8 is dead and the rumors of a possible V6 have officially been squashed.

To wit, Willisch told F30Post.com that a V6 was under consideration for quite some time, and the original thought was to use a chopped version of the S65 4.0-liter V8 found in the current car. But plans for a V-configuration have indeed been ruled out, and all that's left to speculate on is exactly how much help the new inline-six will get from forced induction.

In order to be more powerful than the current M3, no less than two turbochargers will likely be bolted to the new six-cylinder powerplant. In fact, we've even heard rumors of a tri-turbo setup being engineered for use in the M3. In any case, expect about 450 horsepower to be on tap.

Next BMW M3 returning to inline six-cylinder engine originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 May 2012 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Here's what the 2014 BMW M3 could look like

Jeff Sabatini — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, BMW

It's been less than a week since BMW dropped the first images of its redesigned 3 Series sedan on us, but already the imaginations are running wild about what the next M3 might look like. Automotive manipulator Theophilus Chin has given us his take on the F30-based M3, and it's about what you might expect.

With enlarged air ducts in the front fascia to feed the intercoolers for a rumored twin-turbo V6 setup, Chin's M3 is more aggressive, but retains the marque's penchant for subtlety. Around the back, Chin's M3 sedan has just a bit of a lip on the decklid and the telling quad exhaust pipes, but is thankfully devoid of boy-racer cues.

With the sixth-generation 3 Series sedan styling serving mostly to clean up the E90's lines, the next M3 will likely be treated similarly when it finally reaches our shores in 2014. While there will be plenty of M3 news to come, if the end product turned out much like these images, we wouldn't be surprised.

Here's what the 2014 BMW M3 could look like originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next M3 will get new twin-turbo six-cylinder

Chris Shunk — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, BMW, Rumormill

We've heard for a while that the next-generation BMW M3 will lose its 4.0-liter V8. In fact, back in July, AutoExpress claimed that the next M3 would feature three turbochargers. Not so, says Autocar. Instead, the Brits claim that "insiders" tell them that the high-performance 3 Series will feature a twin-turbo inline-six. This mill reportedly will be all-new, and not based off the N54 twin-turbo or the N55 twin-scroll engine.

But while the two British mags disagree about the number of turbos under the M3's bonnet, the consensus is that power will be increased to 450 horsepower. What's more, the next M3 mill will boast significantly more torque, up from 295 pound-feet in the current generation to somewhere in the vicinity of 400 lb-ft.

We don't know about you, but 450 hp and 400 lb-ft sounds mighty fine to us. We're trying to table that enthusiasm for now, though, so we'll keep this information in the rumormill category for now. After all, the next M3 probably won't hit newsstands until the 2014 model year.

Next M3 will get new twin-turbo six-cylinder originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 BMW M3 caught packing new turbocharged inline six

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 19:27:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, BMW, Luxury

As we reported earlier this year, the current E90/E92 BMW M3 will be the last of the naturally aspirated M cars, and if recent rumors are to be believed, BMW will adapt the single-turbo N55 inline-six for duty in our favorite 3 Series. But how many turbos?

Some reports indicate two, while others say three (two traditional snails and an electric turbo). But no matter the configuration, expect output to be up over 450 horsepower and torque to swell to nearly 400 pound-feet.

Regardless of what's under the hood, development of the next M3 is well underway in Germany as BMW gears up for the release of the standard 3 Series successor.

This first batch of M3 spy shots don't show much aside from blacked-out 19-inch wheels, a widened body sans hood bulge and quartet of exhaust pipes. Stylistically, the next 3er is set to take cues from the recently revealed i brand, including new "angle eye" LED daytime running lamps that are flat on the top and bottom, and fitted to a more upright, angular fascia.

The fully redesigned 3 is set to debut later this year, with sales beginning in early 2012. As for the M3, don't expect it to hit until 2013 as a 2014 model.

2014 BMW M3 caught packing new turbocharged inline six originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Aug 2011 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next BMW M3 to get triple-turbo six

Noah Joseph — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, BMW, Rumormill

BMW M3 CRT - Click above for high-res image gallery

The BMW M3 has grown cylinders over the years like a pubescent pre-teen grows in height. What started out with an inline-four then grew into a straight-six for two generations before packing a V8 into the current model. The next one is expected to set to drop a couple of combustion chambers and go back to a single bank, but don't think for one minute that'll mean a drop in performance.

According to the rumormongers at AutoExpress, the next-generation M3, due sometime around 2014 after the new 3 Series comes along, will pack - wait for it - a triple-turbo straight-six. The innovative arrangement will reportedly include two conventional spools powered off exhaust gases and a third electric turbocharger. Total output could be around 450 horsepower - a bump over the current V8 model's 414 hp - with even more carbon fiber bits than the CRT edition pictured above to help keep weight down.

Not exciting enough? BMW's M division has plenty more in the cards, potentially including an oft-rumored new M1 supercar and, once the 1 Series M Coupe is done its production run, a lightweight CSL version. An M version of the Z4 is also under consideration, but of course nothing final until the cars make their debuts.

Next BMW M3 to get triple-turbo six originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Turbo'd fours and sixes could power future BMW M machines

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Hatchback, BMW

With new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards looming on the horizon, automakers are in the process of developing engines that strike a balance between ultra-efficiency and high-performance. Aware of the challenges ahead, BMW has begun development of the next generation 3 Series and 1 Series, both due for a redesign in 2013, and according to Ludwig Willisch, BMW's M division CEO, new turbocharged engines are on the horizon for the next M3 and 1 Series M (not, we repeat not, to be dubbed the M1).

A turbo'd six-cylinder will likely replace the 4.0-liter V8 currently fitted to the M3, although BMW hasn't decided if it will use a straight-six or a V6 powerplant. Willisch told Motor Trend that the new engine won't be based on the current 3.0-liter inline six currently employed on the 335i and 135i, and it's still too early in the development process to say which configuration will be used. BMW recognizes the inline-six's light weight is a plus, but packaging constraints may required the use of a V6. Either way, the next M3 will be wider, but Willisch insists, "Engines don't need to be more powerful for the next car. As long as you have lighter weight, you have better performance." Although the idea of a V6-powered Bimmer will surely send the marque's faithful into bouts of rage, weight reduction is the future, and to us, it's music to our ears.

As for the 1 series, there won't be an M version per se, but BMW's in-house tuning division wants to recapture the magic of the original E30 M3 by developing a smaller, lighter coupe to slot in below the next M3. As reported previously, a twin-turbocharged four-cylinder will likely power the new coupe, and according to Willisch, the automaker is aiming for something that puts out around 300 hp and weighs around 2,860 pounds (think RWD VW GTI).

Traditionally, the M variants arrive about a year after the new models are introduced, so expect the next M3 and 1 Series M to debut sometime in 2014.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Turbo'd fours and sixes could power future BMW M machines originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Mar 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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