2006 M3 Spy Photos!!!

[SilviaEvo]

http://img310.imageshack.us/img310/9030/60502280011l4af.th.jpg (http://img310.imageshack.us/my.php?image=60502280011l4af.jpg)
http://img310.imageshack.us/img310/3426/6050228001mini1l0og.th.jpg (http://img310.imageshack.us/my.php?image=6050228001mini1l0og.jpg)
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http://img310.imageshack.us/img310/393/6050228001mini3l7in.th.jpg (http://img310.imageshack.us/my.php?image=6050228001mini3l7in.jpg)
http://img310.imageshack.us/img310/9026/6050228001mini4l7hk.th.jpg (http://img310.imageshack.us/my.php?image=6050228001mini4l7hk.jpg)
http://img310.imageshack.us/img310/6378/6050228001mini5l5qh.th.jpg (http://img310.imageshack.us/my.php?image=6050228001mini5l5qh.jpg)
http://img310.imageshack.us/img310/9459/6050228001mini6l4bj.th.jpg (http://img310.imageshack.us/my.php?image=6050228001mini6l4bj.jpg)
http://img310.imageshack.us/img310/9043/6050228001mini7l9ck.th.jpg (http://img310.imageshack.us/my.php?image=6050228001mini7l9ck.jpg)
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Seen here driving on the German Nürburgring is the first prototype of BMW's much anticipated M3. These photos confirm our original report (see story below) of a 4 door M3 being brought back into the model range since the E36 platform. We also reported the M3 would receive a V8 engine. If you look closely at the hood you'll notice the entire center has been sectioned out and replaced with a specially fabricated cover. It cannot be determined from these photos if the cover is steel or another material, however, it is clear that the purpose of this modification is to compensate for a larger engine. Other indicators of this prototype's intentions can be seen in the massive cross-drilled front and rear brake rotors as well as dual split exhaust pipes carefully hidden under the rear bumper fascia. Unfortunately this prototype is not having a full dress rehearsal since M3 styled front and rear fascias are absent as standard 3 Series bumpers take their place.



Original Story from 02/28/2005



In 2006 BMW will kick it up a notch in the sports coupe market with the much anticipated next generation E90 M3. Both Coupe and Cabriolet models are planned with a new addition of a 4 door sedan not seen since the E36 platform.



The initial idea considered was a 4 door M3 saloon and a 2 door M4 coupe. But recently BMW has changed their minds and keep the legendary M3 coupe alive. Internal pressure from the BMW board was too great to kill it off. Therefore, the M3 coupe, M3 saloon and an M3 cabriolet in addition to an M4 2 door coupe/cabriolet will be developed. Did you get all that?



(Edit: The M4 will be a coupe/cabriolet = 2 door coupe with folding hardtop)



The M3 coupe will feature a 6 Series like glasshouse with the possibility of a new distinct interior. The front will sport a new aggressive yet subtle bumper while the rear will display quad exhausts like the new M5. Power will come from a new lightweight V8 producing around 400hp and uses the latest dual-VANOS variable valve timing system. New engine building technology and lightweight materials mean the engine should amazingly weigh the same as the outgoing 3.2 liter in-line 6 cylinder from the current E46 M3 but with considerably more power.



During early testing of the cabriolet version of the 3 series BMW experimented with both a normal canvas roof and a hard folding top but decided on the canvas due to weight savings and maintenance.



The new M3 is slated to arrive in early 2006 with a 2005 Frankfurt debut and the cabriolet will have a Geneva 2006 debut with sales beginning in summer 2006. The SMG transmission will come standard and a CSL version of the coupe with excess of 420hp is being planned as well.



The M4 will also feature theV8 engine mentioned above in the M3 and should go on sale later. No further details are known. A concept for the regular 4 Series is slated for Frankfurt in September.

[coloradosilver]

Beautiful looking car. The body kit just looks like a scaled down M5. And now with 400 hp this car should be even more of a blast to drive than it used to be. Can wait o see one in person.

Thanks for the Pics!

Any word on price?

[SilviaEvo]

my guess is it should be around the price of the current M3 maybe a bit more but Z may have some info on this.

[gobs3z]

I'm still kind of disappointed especially since they're making the cabriolet a hard top, but i'm sure it's numbers will make up for it. I just realized that this V-8 means it might have a chance at Le Mans. :lol:

[blinkmeat]

4 door? What's up with that rear-end? I like the E46 better.

[Fleischmann]

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/1603/1351021d2jp.jpg

[nthfinity]

a while back, i seem to recall BMW saying something to the nature of there being an M3, and M4... perhaps the 4 door M will be this?? or just M3 in sedan form like the previous E 36 M3??
looks good from the front, but IMO, it still looks fat with the extra 2 doors :?

[mclaren_Gt]

wow, looks verynice, in the last picture, that rims are awesome, and the front part looks awesome, very agresive , like the last M3, i think is very good replace

[bmagni]

agressive yet subtle bumper

i hope as subtle and agressive as the one in the E46

the render looks amazing i hope they do it like that, looks much better than the car and driver one.
Frankfurt 2005 !!! i cant wait !!!

[Fleischmann]

a while back, i seem to recall BMW saying something to the nature of there being an M3, and M4... perhaps the 4 door M will be this?? or just M3 in sedan form like the previous E 36 M3??
looks good from the front, but IMO, it still looks fat with the extra 2 doors :?

I only remember them saying that odd numbers would represent saloons and multiples of two would be used to name coupes/cabrios.

[Just_me]

4-serie is a new car, available as Coupé and Cabriolet. There are no final design of the car yet so I doubt we see one in near future.

3-serie and M3 are going to be available as Sedan/Coupe/Cabrio and Touring.

The next M3 will fully be seen in all body styles of the 3er E90 platform -
think of it as an M3 for all types of users. Sedan for the family , Coupe for the enthusiast , cabrio for the sunseekers and Touring for the capacity. All to known coupe-cabrio as 4er - BMW have now changed their mind and will develop a new 4er car from the ground up - What shape this is to be in is not known as yet.

[acs power]

Frankfurt 2005 !!! i cant wait !!!


I doubt we'll see it in Frankfurt.

[TT]

I'd like to see the exhaust's look in the final version because in this one the exits are hidden by the bumper, diesel style :D

[DeMoN]

Even though everyone (at least most people) say the current M3 is better looking, I think that will change in time. Even if that doesnt, the improovements they are doing to the new M3 will make you want the new one more.

M4 is supposed to be faster than the M3 or is it just mor luxurious? (If its going to have a folding hard top I can only imagine it being heavier/more luxurious/slower).

[Just_me]

M4 going to share the same engine as M3

[DeMoN]

So that means that the M4 wont be faster right? I mean, how could it be if it will be heavier?

[inso]

i think M4 will be little lighter than M3 and it could also be with M3 csl engine. It will be the ultimate compact driving machine. i presume it will be cab with hardroof, and something tricky to keep the body stiff.

[redbaron]

The car looks very good, but I'm still not sure about the Nissan Primera styled rear lights...
The car I'm waiting for is the M-series of the 1-series coupe (2-series??) This would be a smaller and lighter M3. IMO the M4 will be heavier (and slower) because of the coupe-cabrio roofconstuction.

[inso]

Also the Z4 M will be interesting, closest to release of the bunch, same time comes some minor facelift. And when it is with E46 M3 inline-6, you get the nice conversion from kelleners, with 405hp.

[Just_me]

In Frankfurt Autoshow there will be Z4M and concept car of M3

[inso]

http://www.uploadthis.co.uk/uploads/tmi1874/File0001.jpg
http://www.uploadthis.co.uk/uploads/tmi1874/File0002.jpg

something about z4m and other m cars, scan from bmw car-mag.

[DeMoN]

Id love to see the M4 be faster than the M3 and prized like a 911. Obviously, I also want the M4 to beat the 911.

[ViperASR]

mmmm, i do love BMW M cars. I think that BMW is gonna have their work cut out for them replacing the e46 M3, i really love that car. God knows there are better cars, but something about them i really like.

[911GT1]

FINALLY an M3 with 4 doors... I dont have to buy an M5 any more if i want a 4 door M car!!!

[vexor]

Really sorry to bring back this old post but I've found some pics of the coupe version of the new M3.

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/2317/a152ac5ce2fe29976001be6a4f2a9d.th.jpg (http://img42.imageshack.us/my.php?image=a152ac5ce2fe29976001be6a4f2a9d.jpg) http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/1337/m317jr.th.jpg (http://img42.imageshack.us/my.php?image=m317jr.jpg)
-Autobild.de

[bmagni]

i hope it looks more agressive than that, the rear lights are weird, still looks good...

[RC45]

So much for the M version of the 3 series being the - M3.

Why have 4 version of the "ultimate" 3 series.

Ultimate means... uhm... ultimate - THE best, not one of the best.

BMW is again wondering away from their roots and what their M philosophy was supposed to be.

Before long they will be "the other Mercedes"

[loliea]

After copying the rear light from Toyota for the 4 doors, they are copying Alfa for the rear lights of the 2 doors?
WHAT are they thinking about? :?

RC45 don't worry, after the ultimate family you will have the ultimate of ultimate (CSL) and maybe a super ultimate of the ultimate (GTR). They might also come with a limited version of the 3 series ultimate (regular 3 series with M body kit) and maybe the ultimate of the 3 series (M3 without body kit...).
Yep going down the drain... anyway a V8 in such small car is not a good start...

[Zonda11]

I think the CSL looks were awesome. Too bad I can't say the same about the looks of the new car.

[oantob]

wow, those last 2 pics are great! The combination of the M5 front spoiler with the new 3 is just briliant, but the last pic is a bit strange. The rear tires looks odd, a bit to wide I guess.

[ferrarif1fan89]

d'ya think, since their making a sedan version again, that they'll make a wagon, like the m5?

[ae86_16v]

d'ya think, since their making a sedan version again, that they'll make a wagon, like the m5?

Probably not. Only if the market demands it. i.e. if there will be an RS4 Avant and it is selling like hot cakes.

Last time I heard that all 3 Series will be 3 Series only. And no more "4 Series". That's good, keep it nice and simple.

But at the same time, why they did change the naming scheme to Z4 instead of the just being a second generation Z3.

Originally it was going to be even # = Sedan/Saloon/Touring and odd # = Coupe/Convertible.

[HeilSvenska]

Undoubtably, there'll be an RS4 Avant...supposed to be revealed at Frankfurt IAA. Audi performance Avants always sell anyways. I don't think I can say the same for BMW wagons.

[dutchmasterflex]

anyway a V8 in such small car is not a good start...


since when is a economical high-revving lightweight V8 in "such small car" isn't a good start?

the new M3 although will be driven mostly by the computer, performance will be like no other..

[ae86_16v]

anyway a V8 in such small car is not a good start...


since when is a economical high-revving lightweight V8 in "such small car" isn't a good start?

the new M3 although will be driven mostly by the computer, performance will be like no other..

Shouldn't the driving be by the driver ;) .

[dutchmasterflex]

i was just refering to the amount of technology built into that car..

[ae86_16v]

^ I know. . . and I was just being sacrastic to a point. All these technological advances aways tend to take a bit away from the driver and the overall driving experience.