Next Generation BMW M3
 

source: germancarfans.com

http://img206.exs.cx/img206/4311/a2bb.th.jpg http://img206.exs.cx/img206/3947/b4ge.th.jpg

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 coupe and a M4 cabriolet will be developed. Did you get all that?

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.

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.

During early testing of the cabriolet version of the 4 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 M4 Coupe and M4 Cabriolet will also feature the M3 V8 engine and should go on sale later. No further details are known. A concept for the regular 4 Series is slated for Frankfurt in September.

Looks good IMO, not sure there is a need for so many variants of an M3/M4. Surely they should simply develop fewer variants to a greater degree to anihalate the opposition?!

looks like they're keeping the "power dome" in the hood and it's getting the same rims as the M5. Slated for 2006 release?! hmm..that could end up being late '06 as discussed in the M3 Delivery Date thread.....

interesting news..thanks theodor.

It is a shame that the M3 will abandon his beautiful and powerfull 6 cylinder engines.I love the sound of this engines.... :(

Looks really cool! 8)

There is a thing I love at the actually M3,and thtat thing are those 4 exhaust pipes that aren't positioned on the same line line with the wheels,like others thousands of sport cars.Those are unique for me.And I can't see them in the new M3.So I don't like it.

I agree completely, it should make do without a V8 like the rest of the 3-series range :) However the E60 M5 has also used an engine which is different from the 'normal' 5-series :D

Well I'm a bit confused. So there will be both M3 and M4 coupes - two coupes sharing the engine, platform and with a very similar price tag...weird hence I don't believe it.

Whoa... 4 door version is a go then... makes the RS4 comparison very important indeed.

I wonder if Audi ever considered a coupe version of the RS4...

In this type of Price Tags we have a lot of offer.
I don´t know how prices are in USA,but in Portugal for a Price of an M3 I will buy a TVR .

Bad photoshops....

the car in the two pictures looks ugly imo.

And that V8 better be "lightweight", because we don't want the car to become a heavy nose cow, now do we........

i dont understand at all, whats the difference between the 3 and 4 series in this info? i dont like the idea of all those variants, i would prefer the M3 stay as a coupe/convertable and thats all. but i do like the V8 :D and whats with the pointy side mirrors, they look terrible in this photoshop.

Agree. A 4-door M3 is possible but this 4 Series thing won't happen IMO.

should get very interesting when more info and specs get released! hope they don't totally ruin the design... looking more like the new designs they're doing nowadays!