M3 and manual transmission fans can now exhale. These latest spy photos of the F80 M3 sedan by a
Autoweek reader show the first interior photos of the F80 M3 sedan and as luck would have it, a manual shifter is clearly visible This confirms that the F80 M3 should come with both manual transmission and M-DCT options. A smooth shifting M-DCT equipped F80 M3 has already been
spied on video previously.
This comes as relief for manual transmission traditionalists as even BMW M has
recently stated that it's unsure how long it will keep developing M models with manual transmission and at some point it may not be offered.
Also impressive to us in these new photos are how wide the fenders are on the F80 M3, particularly in the rear. The F80's bulging fenders will help house a wider track and tires than the F30 3 series.
With the recently discovered
BMW V6 turbo engine patents and first M3 spy video which hints at a 6 cylinder engine (linked above), don't be surprised if the next M3 arrives with a motor which truly represents BMW M's philosophy of not sticking to dogmas - i.e. turbo V8 in the new M5. In other words, it should not be shocking if the F80 M3 arrives with a rumored bi-turbo V6. Expect the F80's power output to be in the ballpark of 450hp.
According to a reliable source, the BMW F80 M3 Sedan will likely have its market launch in the second half of 2013, uncharacteristically before the F82 M4 coupe. Expect the F80 M3 to debut at the 2013 IAA in Frankfurt in production form.
Catch our full ongoing F80 M3 coverage at : http://www.bimmerpost.com/m3/f30m3/
