Fans of the BMW M3 sedan rejoice. Rumors have surfaced in the recent past that the next-generation M3 would come only as a coupe or convertible, but our spy photographer caught pictures of what appear to be an M3 sedan testing at the infamous Nurburgring track in Germany.
Wider fenders front and rear, as well large intakes in the front bumper can be made out through the black and white swirl camouflage. Large brakes and quad exhaust tips – traditional M features – are also present.
There has been much speculation about the next M3’s powerplant. Most rumors indicate that the iconic BMW will return to six-cylinder motivation. There are three (probable) possibilities for the new engine: twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six with enough changes to be considered a different engine than those found in the 335i and 335is; a tri-turbocharged 3.2-liter inline-six, featuring two exhaust-driven turbos and one electric, possibly shared with a future X3 M; and lastly a new twin-turbocharged V-6 engine – a first for BMW.
Regardless of the upcoming M3’s (and possible M4’s) motivation, most believe the new turbocharged mill will make horsepower in the neighborhood of 450 – approximately 36 more than the current V-8 and around 100 lb-ft more torque than the naturally-aspirated V-8’s 295 lb-ft.
The BMW M3 sedan is expected to appear summer 2013 – ahead of coupe and convertible body styles. Coupe and convertible versions of the next-generation 3-series are rumored to get the 4-series nomenclature and if they do the M versions may be called M4. Still, things could change between now and then. Stay tuned…
