2014 M3 (F80) Strips in Death Valley Heat

[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

2014 M3 (F80) Strips in Death Valley Heat

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The 2014 M3 (F80) prototype which was spotted in Los Angeles this past weekend has made its way into the California Mojave Desert's Death Valley for high temperature testing.

With high temperature testing always comes the removal of some front end camouflage, necessary to increase the prototypes' air intake and cooling; which makes us the indirect beneficiaries of ever better looks at an exposed front end.

Yesterday's F80 M3 spy pics (some copied below) gave us the best idea yet of the lines and shape of the front end styling, and today's sighting adds to that by showing us some even more details - particular the lines of the front bumper air vents which could not be seen through the cloth covered front apron from yesterday's photos.

What it reveals is that although the top part of the bumper side air vents will resemble the 2013 M6 in its upward angle and existence of an extra fin (masked in these pics, but obvious when the cloth camoflage is pressed against the bumper), the bottom portion will differ. The bottom parts of the side air vents are now revealed to be even more aggressive than that on the M6, with more angles and dynamic shape. With this new view, the entire side air intake takes on an even more aggressive angular and flared look.

A closeup of the masked front bumper further confirms what's likely to be air curtain vents on the sides of the lower front bumper, but they remain covered by tape. The interior also shows a dark headliner and sunblinds (leather?), making this the most advanced prototype we've spotted yet.

Follow our past and future M3/M4 coverage @ http://www.bimmerpost.com/m3/f30m3/

F80 M3 Spy Photos - Death Valley - 7/31/12

Previous F80 M3 Spy Pics - Spain - 7/30/12

[SCOTT26]

The second last shot would make a good starting point for a render?

The exceptional skills of Harold Wood are required...

Whatever happend to Alpine325ci? and of course John Sibal?

@Jason whatever happend to that F32?

[ahmedf30]

That'd be one hellova an ///M car

[atown88]

I'm liking more and more!

[MPower10s]

is it me or does the main front opening look small?

[Beyu]

I'm surprised they left the camo on the heat extractor vent/dome and didn't cut any slits or perforations.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by Beyu

I'm surprised they left the camo on the heat extractor vent/dome and didn't cut any slits or perforations.

Are there any angles where we can actually see that the opening (?) is still covered by tape/camo?

[///MPower]

Originally Posted by MPower10s

is it me or does the main front opening look small?

Looking smaller because the extra fins at the top of the vent like on the M6, are still covered up. But you can see their shape and position in the pics with the black cloth covering.

This car is going to be aggressive!

[SoCali E36]

If that was a heat vent on the hood you would think they would have opened for this sort of testing.

[aajami]

Is that an uncovered ATS-V in pic 18?

[DDS2015]

I'm really liking what i'm seeing so far!

[SamS]

Originally Posted by aajami

Is that an uncovered ATS-V in pic 18?

Unlikely. That is the standard ATS rear diffusor, and the badging is too blurred to distinguish "3.6" or whatever they use for the turbo.

[Franz]

I was wondering what that ATS was doing there...

[AKRAPOVICOWNS]

Too late to put the covers on buddy

Thats what i was waiting for since the spy pics started rolling.."uncovered" front bumpers.. the car is looking sick.

[aajami]

Originally Posted by SamS

Unlikely. That is the standard ATS rear diffusor, and the badging is too blurred to distinguish "3.6" or whatever they use for the turbo.

Ah, you're right. It just says "3.6".

[Jblack4083]

So far, I'm not a fan of the front bumper but then again I can't be sure of what it's going to look like exactly so I'll save my judgement.

I like seeing those big radiators behind the outer vents of the front bumper

Is there still camo on the outer vents? I am not really a fan of how the lines on the outsides of those vents slant inward instead of outward like on the E9x.

[DiavelM3]

It looks like there are two gaps where the top of the headlights and the corners of the front hood meet?
Could that be a functional air inlet vent?
That would be cool if it was

[Ascari]

Originally Posted by DiavelM3

It looks like there are two gaps where the top of the headlights and the corners of the front hood meet?
Could that be a functional air inlet vent?
That would be cool if it was

Maybe just mule panel fit?

[Red Bread]

Or providing space for F80 specific head light housings?

[///MPower]

Originally Posted by Jblack4083

So far, I'm not a fan of the front bumper but then again I can't be sure of what it's going to look like exactly so I'll save my judgement.

I like seeing those big radiators behind the outer vents of the front bumper

Is there still camo on the outer vents? I am not really a fan of how the lines on the outsides of those vents slant inward instead of outward like on the E9x.

They slant in so much because there is probably an air curtain vent to their outside.

[JSCO]

This looks even more promising..

[Dmacc]

More and more beautiful!