FEP F80 M3 Reveals Trunk Spoiler and Aggressive Face, Shared With M4 Coupe

[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

FEP F80 M3 Reveals Trunk Spoiler and Aggressive Face, Shared With M4 Coupe

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It appears that the F80 M3 has advanced to the final evaluation phase. The F80 has dropped some camouflage, added LED lights, and now features a trunk spoiler lip.

It's now clear that the F80 M3 Sedan shares the same front end as the F82 M4 Coupe and each will feature an aggressive M styled front bumper with the now exposed air curtains, LED headlights and double slat grilles with M3/M4 badge. Late last year we put together a M4 render (see below) which were very accurate and gives a great preview of what the production front bumper of the M3 and M4 will look like with its aggressive air intakes and air curtains.

The FEP stage F80 mule also shows for the first time a trunk spoiler lip, as well as the position of the air breathers on the side of the front fenders. They will be higher and longer (and hopefully more integrated) than on the 4 Series Coupe. We also see the production wheels for the M3.

Here's a summary of the notable things seen on this advanced F80 M3 prototype:

• Shares front fascia with M4 Coupe
  • same headlights
  • Air Curtains
  • LED headlights
  • Double slat kidney grilles with M3 badge
• Production wheels
• Tunk spoiler lip
• Front air breather vent positions and shape more clearly seen
• Double bubble carbon fiber roof
• Carbon ceramic brakes
• Side mirrors still camouflaged
• Integrated front seat headrests
• M3 CRT like rear headrests

Expect the F80 M3 to hit dealers in the first half of next year.

Also see:
> F80 M3 / F82 M4 Spy Photos, Videos, and Facts/Rumors Compilation
> Our F80 M3 Coverage

FEP F80 M3 Prototype

[solstice]

Thanks, nice pictures. Jason, do you expect the sedan to be available prior to the coupe or that it will be a joint launch?

I wonder if the headrest is integrated to allow for a lighter construction with retained strength? The seats are a good place to save weight, they are heavy. I also wonder if the wheels we see on all these F8X mules are of a lighter type than what BMW usually uses. You could easily shave 10 lbs off each wheel and 40 lbs is nothing to sneeze at.

[RMB]

Every single time another piece of camouflage is removed the M3/M4 is looking better and better. It is nice to see them put the LED lights on the sedan just like the coupe. IMHO everything that comes on the coupe should come on the sedan, with the only difference being the number of doors. An M is an M! Now give us some stats and lets start the ordering process and delivery of the product!

[zuggerat89]

Originally Posted by solstice

Thanks, nice pictures. Jason, do you expect the sedan to be available prior to the coupe or that it will be a joint launch?

I wonder if the headrest is integrated to allow for a lighter construction with retained strength? The seats are a good place to save weight, they are heavy. I also wonder if the wheels we see on all these F8X mules are of a lighter type than what BMW usually uses. You could easily shave 10 lbs off each wheel and 40 lbs is nothing to sneeze at.

I was just going to bring this up -- if you look at the headrests of the rear-seats they look really similar to the rear CRT seats. This excites me.

[mkoesel]

Wow, color me surprised. It sure looked like F30-shaped headlights under there. Well, I admit, I was wrong about that one.

So an M3 and M4 GC are going to look very similar indeed, aside from the greenhouse and tail lights.

[aajami]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Wow, color me surprised. It sure looked like F30-shaped headlights under there. Well, I admit, I was wrong about that one.

So an M3 and M4 GC are going to look very similar indeed, aside from the greenhouse and tail lights.

Yeah, I wonder why they chose to go this route. According to Scott, the reason why the E90M and E92M share the same front ends is because of fitment issues with the engine, which wasn't supposed to be the case with the F8X. Why blur the lines between the F80 and F86 when BMW goes to great pains to explain the differences between the F10 and F14?

[JTO24]

This is so Excitin!

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by aajami

Why blur the lines between the F80 and F86 when BMW goes to great pains to explain the differences between the F10 and F14?

Yeah, it seems counterintuitive. Perhaps this was all planned out before the name change was official, and before they ever decided to move forward with the F36 and F86. The surprising similarity between the F30 and F32 (and thus similar pricepoint) also hints that things were decided upon before the name change. It all suggests that, for next generation, we'll see a lot more differences between the 3/M3 and 4/M4. This generation, so far, it has just been a repeat of the E9x, though with the GT, GC, and LWB added. If they don't diverge the two series further with the "G" cars, I'll be bewildered indeed. I have to believe they plan to take the 4 upmarket. Maybe they will move the 5 up next to time around (there's plenty of room between it and the 6) in order to make that happen.

In the meantime, we can enjoy getting the the 4 for a small premium over the 3 despite the much lower volume.

[richardg]

Wait a second....I know we have seen all the mules on 19s but those look like the m6gc 20s.

[Yay-Z]

It's going to be sick

[WallieX5]

Is there an updated render for the F80 M3?

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by zuggerat89

I was just going to bring this up -- if you look at the headrests of the rear-seats they look really similar to the rear CRT seats. This excites me.

Yes the Carbon seats introduced with the M3 CRT will be available to the M3/M4 - I do not know if for all markets though?

The wheels shown are the wheels for the M3 with another option available in unique design.

[solstice]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Yes the Carbon seats introduced with the M3 CRT will be available to the M3/M4 - I do not know if for all markets though?

The wheels shown are the wheels for the M3 with another option available in unique design.

Did you hear that? The excitement just left the room. If lightweight will be a result of adding a bunch of super expensive options no progress has been made, mission failed. The "standard" car needs to be light if they want me to be impressed not some modded $100k car ( factory or 3rd party modds ), that brings little new to the table except the option to price the M3 out if it's class.

[///Megalomaniac]

Hey guys.
Yesterday I was picking up my new 116iM at the Welt and while I was doing the Factory Tour, I looked out of the window and saw the body of an M4! It was unpainted, but you could clearly see the lines, the powerdome and the side vents!

I'm very bad at describing, but the renders above do come close to what I saw.
It's going to be a sick car!!

Afterwards I asked the guide (who works more than 30 years for BMW!) about the body and he confirmed that this was an M4, but also told me that the "normal" visitor wouldn't recognize it.
After picking up my car, I went outside to the parking lot and, guess what, a FEP M3 was driving past me on the street. Luckily my window was open, so i could hear the sound, which was excellent!

Anyways. Greetings from Bavaria

[zuggerat89]

Originally Posted by solstice

Did you hear that? The excitement just left the room. If lightweight will be a result of adding a bunch of super expensive options no progress has been made, mission failed. The "standard" car needs to be light if they want me to be impressed not some modded $100k car ( factory or 3rd party modds ), that brings little new to the table except the option to price the M3 out if it's class.

So negative dude! Wait for it to come out.

[solstice]

Originally Posted by zuggerat89

So negative dude! Wait for it to come out.

I am waiting but until it's out we comment on the info and rumours we have. I'm excited about the car but not about the seats in the picture if they are an option and not the standard seats. Wether this is an indication that the standard car will not be very light without costly options is unknown as pretty much everything else so you can relax....dude. It's just speculations until we get the official numbers.

[vinny84]

Originally Posted by solstice

I am waiting but until it's out we comment on the info and rumours we have. I'm excited about the car but not about the seats in the picture if they are an option and not the standard seats. Wether this is an indication that the standard car will not be very light without costly options is unknown as pretty much everything else so you can relax....dude. It's just speculations until we get the official numbers.

I understand where you are coming from, but you have to remember, not everyone would also pay a higher base price if options like CCB or carbon seats are standard.

Who knows, maybe these seats will be standard without the base price being too high? Everything is speculative at this point. We just need to be patient until official info is released.

[solstice]

Originally Posted by vinny84

I understand where you are coming from, but you have to remember, not everyone would also pay a higher base price if options like CCB or carbon seats are standard.

Who knows, maybe these seats will be standard without the base price being too high? Everything is speculative at this point. We just need to be patient until official info is released.

I agree, the reason the seats excited me is that they could signal that BMW is serious about making the car light and not that the seat in themselves excites me. If they are an expensive option we need to look for other signs of weight reduction or just be patient but how fun is it to post unofficial things if no one comments? I think we all know that there isn't anything official yet so we comment on comments, guesses and rumours. SCOTT26 is hard to place in rumours vs facts since he works for BMW but is not making official statements.

I will however still be very,very disappointed if the car needs costly options to be considered lightweight.

[abirmaher]

Originally Posted by zuggerat89

I was just going to bring this up -- if you look at the headrests of the rear-seats they look really similar to the rear CRT seats. This excites me.

I saw that too, looks pretty cool.

[M3_WC]

Originally Posted by solstice

Did you hear that? The excitement just left the room. If lightweight will be a result of adding a bunch of super expensive options no progress has been made, mission failed. The "standard" car needs to be light if they want me to be impressed not some modded $100k car ( factory or 3rd party modds ), that brings little new to the table except the option to price the M3 out if it's class.

I hope you are wrong. If that is how they get to their advertised weight when it is unveiled, that blows.

[DrivenByE30]

Looks like 4 bucket seats inside Miam Miam !!

Can't wait to see the return of a 4door M3

[CSanto]

Why does Scott have a huge JULY 29th. signature? I'm really hoping something gets announced that date.