It’s straightforward for BMW to boost a automotive it’s been promoting for years to seize our consideration. Almost 5 years have handed for the reason that G80 was first revealed, with a Life Cycle Impulse launched final yr. In in the present day’s fast-moving automotive market, one may argue the M3 is starting to indicate its age. Nevertheless, slap on a hanging Particular person shade, and it abruptly appears youthful than it did yesterday.
Fact be advised, Frozen Tampa Bay Inexperienced Metallic isn’t new to the colour palette. This matte paint end, codenamed “P9B,” has been round for years, however it’s hardly ever seen on an M3 LCI. BMW Bulgaria now treats us to contemporary pictures of the facelifted sports activities sedan carving up countryside roads. Past the eye-catching shade, this Competitors model additionally flaunts the optionally available carbon fiber physique equipment.
This Hulk-spec M3, sadly, lacks the traditional silver wheel possibility launched final yr with the mid-cycle replace. As an alternative, BMW opted for the standard black end on the 826 M alloys. Even so, the AMG C63 rival stays a sight to behold, regardless of its age. The hotter CS by-product has come and gone, however the usual M3 nonetheless turns heads. Its muscular proportions and bulging fenders won’t ever exit of favor, although the kidney grille is unlikely to age as gracefully.
How a lot life is left within the sixth-generation M3? Fairly a bit, truly. We consider manufacturing will proceed all through subsequent yr, presumably ending in February 2027. The G81 Touring would possibly even stick round longer, with reviews suggesting the ultimate long-roof M3 shall be inbuilt October 2027. Earlier this yr, BMW refreshed the wagon by launching a limited-run CS model.
Fortunately, the G80 gained’t be the final of the gasoline-powered lineage. M has promised a brand new, and presumably closing, ICE-powered M3 (aka G84). In response to Mike Reichelt, Head of Neue Klasse, it’ll characteristic a “new sort of six-cylinder engine.” We’re not precisely positive what which means, but when we needed to guess, it’ll be a mild-hybrid inline-six.
It stays unclear whether or not the engine shall be primarily based on the S58 or the lesser B58, although we’re holding our fingers crossed for the previous. The M engine is being revised to adjust to Euro 7 rules, so the twin-turbo setup nonetheless has a future. With BMW additionally plotting an M350 geared up with a six-cylinder engine, it wouldn’t really feel proper for the M3 to share the identical B58 powerplant because the M Efficiency mannequin.
Pictures: BMW Bulgaria
