With every new generation of the BMW 3
Series, one question that is consistently posed is always, “when will the
full-fat M version arrive? The news comes from Markus Flasch, CEO of BMW M, who
took part in a Q&A session on Instagram, where it was also revealed that
the G80 M3 as well as the G82 M4 will make their debut together.
Flasch also confirmed a few details – some
of which we already know – about the M twins, which will apparently come with
510 PS (503 hp) and be available with an automatic or manual transmission,
along with all-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive configurations.
On the last bit, it has been rumored that
a “Pure” version of the duo will be rear-wheel drive only with a manual
transmission, and these models are said to get their own bumper and wheel
designs. Meanwhile, the all-wheel drive M3 and M4 will be paired with an
eight-speed automatic transmission – like an M Steptronic unit – similar to the
X3 M and X4 M.
However, it is unknown if the latter will
get the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system like that found in the F90 M5/M5
Competition, which allows drivers to swap between 4WD and 2WD modes at a push
of a button.
As for the engine, Flasch has previously
stated that the upcoming M3 will share the new S58 3.0 litre turbocharged
straight-six engine with the aforementioned SUVs. This will come in two states
of tune, with 480 PS in the standard version and 510 PS in
the Competition version – the latter being automatic/all-wheel drive only.
Design-wise, reports indicate the M3 will
have less in common with a standard 3 Series and will adopt the massive kidney
grille look of the 4 Series, which is only days away from making its debut. Of
course, we’ll only know more come September, so stay tuned.
