As the international launch of the F80 BMW M3 is getting closer, more and more details are starting to surface about BMW’s most important M product. We previously reported that the M3 will feature (for the first time in this performance car’s history) a turbocharged six-cylinder engine. This will be based on BMW’s N54/5 series of engines, a version of which featured in the 1M that impressed us so much last year. There are rumours that this engine will be further developed to produce up to 335 kW, eclipsing the current M3’s 309 kW.
That said, the website autoevolution now suggests that the M3 is unlikely to have 335 kW, but closer to the current M3’s power figure. This might at first seem a little disappointing, but the turbocharged engine will definitely feature more torque, apparently around 535 N.m (which is 135 N.m more than the V8 M3’s 400 N.m).
That’s not all. The M3 should also be lighter by around 100 kg. The M3 Coupé we tested in November 2007 tipped the scale at 1 652 kg – fully fuelled – which means the F80 should be closer to 1 550 kg.
It is likely that the upcoming F80 M3 will be shown at the Geneva Motor Show in March, with production starting shortly thereafter.
