Spied: 2014 F80 M3 Sedan Gets Power Dome (Hood Bulge)!

[Keto]

I'm in for one when my 550i lease is up in 2014 to be sure.

[Thrumcap]

Glad to see the power dome which helps to distinguish the car from the regular 3er. As for form following function, the current generation has a fake vent on the hood so it's nothing new. As long as we don't get fake engine sounds pumped in, I'm OK with it.

[Teemo Panda]

You guys should chill with the yellow halos lol. BMW might offer full led ones, right off the bat

[Mo_power]

hell yeah now get the better looking mirrors!

[Jason]

Originally Posted by Mo_power

hell yeah now get the better looking mirrors!

We may not see those on the test prototypes or even the concept model when it's shown. The F10 M5's final production mirrors weren't seen until the actual production model was revealed. Though I hope we it before that

[S3RI35]

+1 for powerdome!

Just in time for the '14 replacement :-)

[HAZJ]

Originally Posted by aajami

I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I think the hood bulge fits the car's sporty character, makes it look more aggressive than without, and offers some additional sheet metal differences from its F30 sibling. On the other, I'm a firm believer in form following function wherever possible, and unless BMW shoved a new engine under that bonnet over the weekend, it looks like the hood bulge is purely aesthetic, which is a bit... sad.

I was going to post something like this also.

I don't understand the need for a power dome if there's not a bigger engine under the hood. Neither did the E46 or the E36 need a powerdome with the same engine config, and since it will be based on the N54 powerplant it makes even less sense also.

[aajami]

Originally Posted by Diver

I like the look of the power dome, and suspect if it is there it is because it is needed. I wonder if there is any possibility that the bonnet on this car is meant to deceive as to what the final design is.

Maybe, but I doubt it. The F80 has been testing for months and months without a hood bulge. I have a hard time believing that the physical shape of the engine has changed (through the addition of ITBs, for example), where it mounts to on the frame has moved, or that a different, larger engine is under the hood in order to warrant the change in the hood's sheet metal all of a sudden.

[aajami]

Originally Posted by HAZJ

I was going to post something like this also.

I don't understand the need for a power dome if there's not a bigger engine under the hood. Neither did the E46 or the E36 need a powerdome with the same engine config, and since it will be based on the N54 powerplant it makes even less sense also.

The E46 M3 did have a power dome.

Originally Posted by Thrumcap

Glad to see the power dome which helps to distinguish the car from the regular 3er. As for form following function, the current generation has a fake vent on the hood so it's nothing new. As long as we don't get fake engine sounds pumped in, I'm OK with it.

Indeed it did, and I would have loved it had BMW created an asymmetric hood with only the one functional vent similar to what it did with the front bumper of the M3 CSL.

[MotorenWerkeN52]

Originally Posted by aajami

I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I think the hood bulge fits the car's sporty character, makes it look more aggressive than without, and offers some additional sheet metal differences from its F30 sibling. On the other, I'm a firm believer in form following function wherever possible, and unless BMW shoved a new engine under that bonnet over the weekend, it looks like the hood bulge is purely aesthetic, which is a bit... sad.

+1

I completely agree... there better be a functional reason they added the powerdome. Otherwise, I'm gonna have to look down on this car like the IS-F which had the one fake tailpipe.

[Thrumcap]

I also don't really see the difference between a power dome and say, fender flare beyond what is required for tire clearance- it's all aesthetics that contribute to the overall look of the car- not the function.

[m balla]

can't convex curves such as the power dome decrease turbulence at high velocity and increase laminar flow and normalize friction velocity? Doesn't the dome decrease turbulent shear stress to some degree? Like the upstream flow will have less vortex disturbances than with a flat hood? So theoretically making the car stick less to the air and provide more downforce like an air blanket over the sides and top

[m balla]

So theoretically making the car stick less to the air and provide more downforce like an air blanket over the sides and top

[///MPower]

Originally Posted by hydermirza12

I completely agree... there better be a functional reason they added the powerdome. Otherwise, I'm gonna have to look down on this car like the IS-F which had the one fake tailpipe.

Oh god here come the 'purists' who will look down on what will probably once again be a class leading car just because something on it might only be for aesthetics. You think every last cosmetic element on your E90 has nothing but a functional reason?

Do you also look down on any F30 3 series with the M Sport package because that is a purely cosmetic package now.

[bimmer]

What if BMW will surprise us with revised version of their v8 (4.4l, 460hp, 380tq). This is why there is a power dome on the hood.

Just kidding or not...

[zzzmmm]

Originally Posted by Prince_of_Persia

Love the power dome!! Still not sure about the front lights.

wish F10M5 came with power dome. not sure why a hood bulge is needed for 6 cycl? either way it looks pimp

[Snig]

That's not the only thing that has a bulge...

[Dmacc]

Originally Posted by sameh

I'm one of the guys who love the power Dom (I know not all of you agree) wether on the E46 or E9x and I was very disappointed not to see it on the coming M3 & M4. Now that I see it, I don't know how to react. I still love the look but knowing that it has no function or serves no purpose is leaving an after-taste, bitter one!

Really? You wanted the hood now you don't? You could remove the hood all together and not have to worry about it.

[Marioalex24]

F!?k yeah. Now we're talking. I was just posting the other day on the other tread about maybe their not going to have the hood but now I can see the light down the tunnel. I'm ready to place my order. But for the coupe of course.

[DiavelM3]

Originally Posted by ///MPower

Oh god here come the 'purists' who will look down on what will probably once again be a class leading car just because something on it might only be for aesthetics. You think every last cosmetic element on your E90 has nothing but a functional reason?

Do you also look down on any F30 3 series with the M Sport package because that is a purely cosmetic package now.

+1
I hope it's functional but if it's not, that won't deter me from getting the M4.
Most of us put carbon fiber this, carbon fiber that on our cars purely for cosmetic reasons

[Guynamedsean]

omg. this is the only new bmw i m excited about. m3 sedan is exactly what i need.

i just went into a 24 month lease. gawd, i hope these will be ready for delivery in 24 months!

[mhabs]

No one seems to complain about the side gills even though they have no real function (besides blinkers) but now truly define the M cars..why can't the same be said for the power dome? If anything makes perfect sense in having BMW want potential customers to believe that the M heritage is alive and well in the looks department even though it is absent in the lack of normally-aspirated heritage in the engine department.