Spy photographers have already tracked down prototypes of the facelifted BMW M4 Coupe and Convertible, but the one car missing from that family lineup scoop was the M3 sedan. Consider that remedied with these images of a mildly disguised example of the M3 snapped on test in Germany. Like the two-door M cars, this M3 is keeping the visual changes low-key. Though the camo wrap on the nose makes it hare to see the contours of the front bumper, a comparison of the intake shapes suggests it’s the exact same bumper that’s fitted to the current car. What has definitely been revised is the design of the headlights, in particular the look of the DRLs, which now consist of a thicker LED fang between the two lights in each lamp unit, plus another fat LED in the outer corner of each cluster.

The new lights look similar, but not identical to the ones fitted to the facelifted 2023 3-Series, the M3’s lights appearing to display a more aggressive ‘Hofmeister’ kink in the DRL. The overall shape of the lights, however, seems to be the same as on the 3-Series and the current M3. Also seemingly unchanged is the rear end design, which displays the current car’s bumper, diffuser and LED light setup. But we wouldn’t read too much into that. While the sheetmetal and plastics might not receive a makeover, the rear lights are sure to get some love in time for the facelifts car’s debut later this year or early in 2024. Based on shots of the M4 coupe with its rear lights covered over we wonder whether both cars might get something along the lines of the laser tail lights seen on the M4 CSL.

 

BMW has already updated the M3 and M4 with its latest design of curved dashboard that seamlessly blends a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment system, so we’re not expecting to see major visual upgrades in the cabin. Besides, we’re more interested in what might be going on under the hood.

We’ve heard rumors suggesting the twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine in the M3 Competition could be boosted from 503 hp to around 518 hp. That would still make it far less powerful than the 543 hp of the special M3 CS and M4 CSL, and doesn’t get close to matching the 670 hp of the Mercedes-AMG C63 S E Performance. But some lukewarm reviews of the four-cylinder AMG serve to remind us that there’s more to a super-sedan than a monster power output.