We were able to get our first glimpse of the new M3 (or at least the M3 "Concept") earlier this month at the Geneva Motor Show, and boy did we like what we saw. The new BMW super coupe looks fast standing still, and with a rumored 420 hp on tap, the M3 is bound to give the Audi RS4 and C-Class AMG a run for their money.

BMW has just released all the details you could ever want to know about its newest V8, and the power numbers look to take the M3 to the next level. The 4.0L engine is derived from the potent 5.0L V10 in the M5 and M6. The aluminum and composite engine weighs only 445 lbs, 33 lbs less than the base 3-Series' inline-six. And to fully-realize all 420 hp from the V8, which features Double Vanos valve technology, you can rev the motor to an RX-8-like 8,300 rpm. The M3 will also carry 295 ft-lbs of torque, 85% of which is available at 2,000 rpm.

We don't know if these impressive power numbers are enough to keep up with the brute-force of the C-Class AMG, but we've reserved a couple spots in the Autoblog garage in the event we get the opportunity to find out.

Check out the complete press release after the jump, as well as the gallery of 47 high-resolution images. The gallery includes shots of the M3 Concept, the 4.0L V8 and many of its individual components, as well as the engine being tested by engineers.

[Source: BMW]

Gallery: 2008 BMW M3 4.0L V8

Continue reading More Details on BMW M3 Powerplant

More Details on BMW M3 Powerplant originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Mar 2007 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.