It will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
Although there have been many rumors about the next-generation , none of them has been confirmed by an official. Carsten Pries from BMW M, the head of product planning, shared first details about Bavaria’s sports sedan, which will be competing against AMG’s A63 and Alfa Romeo’s Giulia Quadrifoglio.
The new 3.0-liter straight-six engine, which was previously used in the HTML3 M and X4 duo, will power the M3. The base model’s S58 engine produces 473 horsepower and 442 pounds-feet (600 Newton meters) of torque. This is exactly what you would expect from the high-performance crossovers. You can upgrade to the BMW and get 503 horsepower and the same amount torque as the lower models. These output numbers are identical with those of the equivalent X3M and X4M in Competition guise.
The sedan will have a major difference from its high-riding counterparts. This is due to the xDrive setup. The new M3 will receive a rear-wheel drive mode inherited from the M5. This is not the case with the two fast crossovers. The all-conquering M5 will also lend their electronic steering system. However, it will be adjusted to the M3’s lower curb weight. The British magazine Evo predicts that the model will weigh in at around 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs), while an Competition weighs in at a heavy 1,982 kg (4.370 lbs).
The M3’s next iteration will borrow the M5’s active damper system, while the brake system in the crossovers will be available alongside an optional carbon ceramic setup.
There’s still no confirmation yet about that “Pure” model with a rear-wheel-drive-only layout and a manual gearbox, but Evo reports a future M3 CS version might offer this purist-approved formula.
The new M3 will be on display at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. However, we are keeping our fingers open for an online unveiling a few weeks earlier.