BMW F80 M3 Lets Air Curtain Slip. Justin Timberlake Not Involved

[Jason]

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2014 BMW F80 M3 Lets Air Curtain Slip. Justin Timberlake Not Involved

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A 2014 M3 test prototype resumed testing at the Nurburgring yesterday and the strip tease continued by way of a possible (or intended) camouflage malfunction. Here's what we see.

Air Curtains

By coincidence (?), the passenger side lower front bumper camouflage was flapped open during the test runs, revealing and confirming the air curtain vents on the F80. Whether the camouflage was peeled back to feed air to the air curtains for testing purposes, resulted from a camouflage malfunction, or was purposely peeled back to tease us, matters not. What's important is that we get the first clear look at the air curtain vent, which appears very large judging by the amount of space between the air curtain vent outline and the outer edge of the still camouflaged lower front bumper. Perhaps they are even large enough to have the added function of cooling the brakes. For a view of what the front end, including air curtains, may resemble once uncovered, we've reposted our render below.

With recent models, BMW has incorporated air curtain technology into front apron designs to optimize aerodynamics (see the 1M, 1 Series LCI, and 7 Series LCI). The air curtain vent reduces drag by forcing the air to flow more aerodynamically around the front wheels.

By the way, check out the fenders in photo #5 below ... talk about wide! The fenders appear to be finished, so expect a super aggressive stance from the F80, as we've been seeing in the spy photos so far.


Kidney Grilles / Headlights

Some of the camouflage has also been peeled away from the kidney grilles, presenting the best look yet at the nearly completely revealed kidney grilles. A close-up crop shows that the grilles are actually taking on more of the F30's look. The earlier levels of camouflage gave the grilles a sportier/sleeker look (than they really are) by covering up parts of the grilles. Now that the camouflage has melted away, revealing nearly all of the grilles and a different look than before, we would not be surprised if the F80 M3 shared the same kidney grilles as the F30 3 series. We've posted a comparison photo below for reference.

F80 vs F30 grilles. Notice the F80 grilles are still partially obstructed by the camouflage.

If the F80 M3 features the same kidney grilles as the F30, it may then also have the same headlights as the F30 3 series. Or, perhaps the ill-fitting look of the F30 headlights on the prototype seen in these photos hint that the F80 will have restyled headlights (not yet fitted?) compared to the F30. The spy photos are not yet telling enough, so we'll have to wait and see.

As for the mirrors, yes, they are still the F30 mirrors. But, we can expect to see a sportier styled mirror on the production F80 (if not the concept).

The following is a summary of certain facts regarding the F80 M3 / F82 M4:

• 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
• Electric Power Steering (completely reworked for precision for M3/M4)
• Tires (from prototype) - Michelin Pilot Super Sport: 255/35/19 (front), 275/35/19 (rear)
• M3 Introduced late 2013 - early 2014 (concept debuts earlier)
• M4 Introduced no earlier than late 2014
• Front bumper/apron styled after M6 & 1M, with air curtain technology
  

Follow our ongoing M3/M4 coverage @ http://www.bimmerpost.com/m3/f30m3/



* Click on images for higher resolution version *

BIMMERPOST F80 M3 Renders

Recent Spy Videos

[richb811]

I love a good wardrobe malfunction!

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by Jason

Is that good or bad that a wheel is off the ground like that?

[atown88]

My back and forth between next vs current gen has the ball sitting in F80's court.

I like it.

[cs4444]

@Bimmerjph

Its good, that means the chassis is very ridged.

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by cs4444

@Bimmerjph

Its good, that means the chassis is very ridged.

Ah, that what I was thinking, but I wasn't positive.

[TheBingoBalls]

While I believe the headlight's will extend to the grille, if they were to cut it off and square up where there is still camo (so it's not extending to the grille) I think it would look pretty good (similar to the E90/E92 M3 but more square instead of rounded).

[SlamMan]

That's awesome. Stiff chassis and suspension.

[positiveions]

Jason, don't you mean JANET Jackson
This thing is going to look bad ass

[richb811]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

Is that good or bad that a wheel is off the ground like that?

That's actually the start of the Karussell turn. it's a banked curve that only covers half of that corner. The wheel of the car drops down as you enter that turn if you follow the correct line.

Its a pain in the arse. I wouldn't worry too much about the car's wheel being raised there, it happens to most cars going into that section of track.

Case and point : M3 CSL

[Frosty]

...this is looking very attractive :-) cant wait for F82 !!

~

[southlight]

Originally Posted by positiveions

Jason, don't you mean JANET Jackson
This thing is going to look bad ass

Well, in this case the F80 M3 is Janet Jackson.


Best regards,
south

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by southlight

Well, in this case the F80 M3 is Janet Jackson.

[330iToy]

I hope it comes with that trailer hitch....haha

[AhsanU]

Damn, with this sedan M3 looking as good as it does already, I'm wondering if the coupe will be worth waiting for. Only time will tell I guess.

[kdbryce]

is it just me or do the headlights on the m3 look like they're going to be different than the f30's? kind of like how the e90 m3 had e92 headlights

i hope this is the case

[DiavelM3]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

Is that good or bad that a wheel is off the ground like that?

No, it's not a bad thing! It's getting ready for liftoff.
Please make sure your seat backs and tray tables are in the upright position

[eclipsisNA]

[vladberca]

I like the intensive testing on the 'ring

[e92_m3]

Nip slip eh?

Guys who do renderings of the M3 will jump for joy since they will get a better glimpse of how the M3 will look like. They can now make the necessary corrections or changes on the F80 M3 rendering.

[aussiem3]

The kidney grills shape may look the same but they are different. Notice the two pics, the prototype has 11 slats each as compared to the production which has nine. Just an observation.

Also the lips on the front air dams are not parallel like the M6's which I am surprised a bit. The front design lacks cohesiveness which is surprising for a /// design.

That's my 2c.

[Alan l.]

Looks like the coupe is def. going to have different headlights along with the F80 M3

Alan