The next generation BMW M3/M4 is a hot topic as we lead up to a public debut date for Bavaria’s finest at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show in March. These details emerge from autocar where they reiterate how the next M3 will feature a turbocharged inline-6-cylinder engine available exclusively with a dual-clutch transmission.
The new force-fed inline-6 is said to produce 450 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque putting it in line with its main competitors, the Audi RS5 and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe/Sedan. We speculate that the dual-clutch gearbox will be one taken directly from the new M5 potentially with some updates to better suit the M3. No word yet on a 6-speed manual transmission, which we hope to get later in the production year after the M3 officially drops. After-all, the M3 has always been offered with 3 pedals.
Another detail to come out, is the idea that the new M3 will get electro-mechanical steering. An electronic M differential will remain while it gets the three-stage damper system from the new M5 and M6. The new M3 will reportedly get more aluminum body parts, such as the doors, to get the curb weight under the E92 M3’s beefy number.
Combined with a turbocharged engine and lighter weight, we will reserve our judgment of the new M3, for now.
