BMW was recently caught
testing the 2020 M3 on the world-renowned course. Dressed in swirly black and
white camouflage, this particular prototype looks relatively tame but there are
few telltale clues that this isn’t your ordinary 3-Series. Starting up front,
we can get a glimpse of an aggressive fascia which has honeycomb inserts on the
lower air intake.
Moving further back, we can see lightweight wheels
that cover a high-performance braking system. The company’s test driver was
obviously pushing this model pretty hard as several photos show the
cross-drilled discs glowing from their intense workout. Other notable touches
include aggressive side skirts, a four-tailpipe exhaust system, and a reduced
ride height thanks to the sportier suspension. We can also see a small rear
spoiler, prominent character lines and extended wheel arches which compensate
for the M3’s wider track.
The car’s interior will likely echo the standard
model and this means we can expect it will have a more modern design with new
switchgear that is cantered towards the driver. The car should also have a
digital instrument cluster and the latest iDrive infotainment system.
There have been countless rumors about what will
power the next-generation M3 but it is expected to use a twin-turbo 3.0-liter
six-cylinder engine. The output remains the source of widespread speculation
but it’s safe to assume the model will be more powerful than the current M3
which develops 425 hp and 549 Nm of torque. How much more
powerful remains the million dollar question as some reports claim it could
have as much as 493 hp while others suggest a more modest rating of
465 hp.
Regardless of the final numbers, the M3 is expected
to be lighter than its predecessor as the car will ride on the CLAR platform.
The model is also slated to use more aluminum and carbon fiber components as
part of the effort to reduce weight.
BMW is keeping details under wraps but the new M3
will reportedly debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2019.
