Official: BMW F80 M3 / F82 M4 Brings Back the Inline 6 Engine

[jmsent]

Originally Posted by Jason

Despite the next M3 sedan being at least 1.5 to 2 years away, we now know the following. It will be:

• Lighter than current M3
• Faster than current M3
• More powerful than current M3
• More efficient than current M3
• Powered by an inline 6 cylinder [turbo] engine
• Offered with optional or standard manual transmission (if previous spy photos are any indication)
• Introduced no earlier than late 2013 - early 2014

This. ^

[cstavaru]

Originally Posted by malter2.0

Great news! Now waiting for the following news.

-300lb diet
-elimination of turbos
-9000rpm redline
-440hp N/A


And we are set!

The car you speak of is already in production: BMW M3 GTS.

[Bart@AUTOcouture]

I will own one, no matter than motor it has.

[SoCali E90]

Originally Posted by Harold Wood

Sounds good to me, I wonder how much carbon fibre will go into the production car?

That's a sick as photo

[cstavaru]

Originally Posted by almuhairi

Just to make it clear for me
Whats the difference between l6 or v6

The first letter.

[malter2.0]

Originally Posted by cstavaru

The car you speak of is already in production: BMW M3 GTS.

Oh you mean the limited production $100,000+ current generation V8? Right.

You know what engine did E46 M3 GTR have?

[ZED4Mjjl]

Whatever engine goes in it's sure to be a beast, the happiest news to me is that it will be lighter than the current model, hopefully more than just a token 50 lbs. A good weight reduction should signal a big improvement in handling and road feel.

[Singletrack]

This thing is going to kick ass.

[davem3fan]

Thank goodness not a V6!

[SD Z4MR]

Originally Posted by Sales@AUTOcouture

haha i heard him say it at bimmerfest

He also said, in response to a question about whether there will be an M4, his response was one word, something like "probably" or "likely", although I don't remember the exact word he used. He did say that there will also be an M3 and that "they will be two of a kind". Whatever his exact word answer was about the M4, it left no doubt in my mind that the sedan will be an M3 a and the coupe/convertible will be an M4.

When asked the direct question "Will the new M3 have three turbos?" he said emphatically "No.".

His answers were usually short and direct, sometimes just one word. It kind of reminded me of the old Magic 8 Ball. Shake it, turn it over, get a terse answer. For those too young to remember, there is an online version.

[Jmo550]

Oh yes when my lease is over perfect car to get next can't wait

[M-Power111]

wow thats great to hear, cant wait!!

[SCOTT26]

Ludwig Willisch has a very extensive background within BMW AG which made him the perfect candidate for the US CEO of BMW North America.
Especially in light of the "electric car" statement which brought about the retirement of Jim O'Donnel which shows that global distributors are not informed of the latest developments right away.

Willisch is also very much the "Father" of the current BMW M5 F10, as the car was conceived whilst he was in charge of M. and then continued under Dr. Kay Segler. He is also the Father of the one of BMW M's most successful and highly profitable projects the BMW X5M and BMW X6M. and of course modern day Turbocharging.

Wilisch took over the reigns of BMW North America last year and brought and installed his key men from BMW AG in communications and marketing
in BMW North America.

[DM1]

This is great news,... still love the V8 but I6 are BMW's legacy.

[Cl0ud7]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Ludwig Willisch has a very extensive background within BMW AG which made him the perfect candidate for the US CEO of BMW North America.
Especially in light of the "electric car" statement which brought about the retirement of Jim O'Donnel which shows that global distributors are not informed of the latest developments right away.

Willisch is also very much the "Father" of the current BMW M5 F10, as the car was conceived whilst he was in charge of M. and then continued under Dr. Kay Segler. He is also the Father of the one of BMW M's most successful and highly profitable projects the BMW X5M and BMW X6M. and of course modern day Turbocharging.

Wilisch took over the reigns of BMW North America last year and brought and installed his key men from BMW AG in communications and marketing
in BMW North America.

That should answer the question on his credibility...lol

[cstavaru]

I can bet it will be another variation of the N54

[positiveions]

I am glad they kept the inline 6.

[M///1rider]

This is a beefed up n54 def!! New turbos and all

[Nandrega]

Interesting news! Glad to get a solid confirmation. Was kind of hoping for a turbo V8.. but I'm sure whatever BMW pumps out will be amazing.

[jaehshim]

i don't know why people are so obsessed with I6 vs V6...
And okay, I get it... Turbo to go faster and more efficiency, but would thosereally guarentee the true driving feel of a sports car?

Seriously...if it's going to be Turboed with being "faster" in mind, yet it will still be slower than the GTR, i might as well get the GTR which will have less problem + more reliable + more tuning capable + most importantly faster asa "TURBO CAR"

I'm just sayin...after seeing the already success of FR-S and BRZ, I kinda miss the powertrain and drive of older days of M3....what a true sports car used to be

[Ka razy]

Awesome!!!

Just keep the weight down...

[benzy89]

Pumped they've brought back the inline 6 to maintain the balance & handling characteristics thats made the 3-series (especially the Ms) infamous.

Really hoping to see a 3.3/3.5 L, twin turbo'd bomb shoved under the hood, pushing out a healthy balanced of 450 HP/TQ. Be interesting to see if they...

• Ditch the 7 speed DCT for something more "updated" (Upgraded 8-speed ZF?)
• Offer the carbon ceramic breaks
• Ditch electronic steering for something more direct

Bottom line: Ditch the whole 4-Series marketing ploy & keep the 3 series + M3 moniker. That car is BMWs bread & butter

///M3