2006 M3 Spy Photos!!!

[SilviaEvo]

Seen here driving on the German Nürburgring is the first prototype of BMW's much anticipated M3. These photos confirm our original report (see story below) of a 4 door M3 being brought back into the model range since the E36 platform. We also reported the M3 would receive a V8 engine. If you look closely at the hood you'll notice the entire center has been sectioned out and replaced with a specially fabricated cover. It cannot be determined from these photos if the cover is steel or another material, however, it is clear that the purpose of this modification is to compensate for a larger engine. Other indicators of this prototype's intentions can be seen in the massive cross-drilled front and rear brake rotors as well as dual split exhaust pipes carefully hidden under the rear bumper fascia. Unfortunately this prototype is not having a full dress rehearsal since M3 styled front and rear fascias are absent as standard 3 Series bumpers take their place.



Original Story from 02/28/2005



In 2006 BMW will kick it up a notch in the sports coupe market with the much anticipated next generation E90 M3. Both Coupe and Cabriolet models are planned with a new addition of a 4 door sedan not seen since the E36 platform.



The initial idea considered was a 4 door M3 saloon and a 2 door M4 coupe. But recently BMW has changed their minds and keep the legendary M3 coupe alive. Internal pressure from the BMW board was too great to kill it off. Therefore, the M3 coupe, M3 saloon and an M3 cabriolet in addition to an M4 2 door coupe/cabriolet will be developed. Did you get all that?



(Edit: The M4 will be a coupe/cabriolet = 2 door coupe with folding hardtop)



The M3 coupe will feature a 6 Series like glasshouse with the possibility of a new distinct interior. The front will sport a new aggressive yet subtle bumper while the rear will display quad exhausts like the new M5. Power will come from a new lightweight V8 producing around 400hp and uses the latest dual-VANOS variable valve timing system. New engine building technology and lightweight materials mean the engine should amazingly weigh the same as the outgoing 3.2 liter in-line 6 cylinder from the current E46 M3 but with considerably more power.



During early testing of the cabriolet version of the 3 series BMW experimented with both a normal canvas roof and a hard folding top but decided on the canvas due to weight savings and maintenance.



The new M3 is slated to arrive in early 2006 with a 2005 Frankfurt debut and the cabriolet will have a Geneva 2006 debut with sales beginning in summer 2006. The SMG transmission will come standard and a CSL version of the coupe with excess of 420hp is being planned as well.



The M4 will also feature theV8 engine mentioned above in the M3 and should go on sale later. No further details are known. A concept for the regular 4 Series is slated for Frankfurt in September.

[coloradosilver]

Beautiful looking car. The body kit just looks like a scaled down M5. And now with 400 hp this car should be even more of a blast to drive than it used to be. Can wait o see one in person.

Thanks for the Pics!

Any word on price?

[SilviaEvo]

my guess is it should be around the price of the current M3 maybe a bit more but Z may have some info on this.

[gobs3z]

I'm still kind of disappointed especially since they're making the cabriolet a hard top, but i'm sure it's numbers will make up for it. I just realized that this V-8 means it might have a chance at Le Mans.

[blinkmeat]

4 door? What's up with that rear-end? I like the E46 better.

[Fleischmann]

[nthfinity]

a while back, i seem to recall BMW saying something to the nature of there being an M3, and M4... perhaps the 4 door M will be this?? or just M3 in sedan form like the previous E 36 M3??
looks good from the front, but IMO, it still looks fat with the extra 2 doors

[mclaren_Gt]

wow, looks verynice, in the last picture, that rims are awesome, and the front part looks awesome, very agresive , like the last M3, i think is very good replace

[bmagni]

agressive yet subtle bumper

i hope as subtle and agressive as the one in the E46

the render looks amazing i hope they do it like that, looks much better than the car and driver one.
Frankfurt 2005 !!! i cant wait !!!

[Fleischmann]

Originally Posted by nthfinity a while back, i seem to recall BMW saying something to the nature of there being an M3, and M4... perhaps the 4 door M will be this?? or just M3 in sedan form like the previous E 36 M3?? looks good from the front, but IMO, it still looks fat with the extra 2 doors

I only remember them saying that odd numbers would represent saloons and multiples of two would be used to name coupes/cabrios.

[Just_me]

4-serie is a new car, available as Coupé and Cabriolet. There are no final design of the car yet so I doubt we see one in near future.

3-serie and M3 are going to be available as Sedan/Coupe/Cabrio and Touring.

The next M3 will fully be seen in all body styles of the 3er E90 platform -
think of it as an M3 for all types of users. Sedan for the family , Coupe for the enthusiast , cabrio for the sunseekers and Touring for the capacity. All to known coupe-cabrio as 4er - BMW have now changed their mind and will develop a new 4er car from the ground up - What shape this is to be in is not known as yet.

[acs power]

Frankfurt 2005 !!! i cant wait !!!

I doubt we'll see it in Frankfurt.

[TT]

I'd like to see the exhaust's look in the final version because in this one the exits are hidden by the bumper, diesel style

[DeMoN]

Even though everyone (at least most people) say the current M3 is better looking, I think that will change in time. Even if that doesnt, the improovements they are doing to the new M3 will make you want the new one more.

M4 is supposed to be faster than the M3 or is it just mor luxurious? (If its going to have a folding hard top I can only imagine it being heavier/more luxurious/slower).

[Just_me]

M4 going to share the same engine as M3