Six-cylinder BMW M3 caught on and around Nürburgring

That Roundel-obsessed crew over at F30post.com has laid its paws on a quick clip of the next-generation BMW M3 turning a few hot laps at the Nürburgring. The video gives us the best look and listen yet to the performance 3 Series under duress, and it certainly sounds as if the vehicle has finally shed its high-winding V8 for six-cylinder power. That feeling? It's just the universe re-aligning itself. Don't worry about it. BMW hasn't said exactly what sort of power the next-generation M3 will produce when it arrives, but we'd guess that the number will land north of the 414-horsepower available from the current model.

The only question is whether or not BMW has abandoned its tried-and-true inline six for a more blasphemous V6 configuration. The automaker has publicly said that it wouldn't embrace the V, but there's a growing tied of rumor that would suggest otherwise. Either way, we'll find out when the M bows in mid-2012. Hit the jump to check out the full video for yourself.