BMW M3 News

After splitting their house into separate line-ups for the sedans and two-doors, BMW is getting ready to reveal the new M3 sedan and the M4 coupe

Keep this video on repeat as those growls you hear are the sweet sounds of the new straight-six engine developed for the latest generation of the BMW M3 and the all-new M4 (basically a new M3 Coupe). Also shown in the video is a small sliver of the new M3’s power dome hood, whose yellow hue is likely to be the car’s hero color.BMW is set to preview either its new M3 or M4 (or perhaps both) in concept form at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance later this week and will follow up with the production versions at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show in January. The cars are likely to hit the market early next spring, as 2014 models.The M3 will get the F30 3-Series’ body and the M4 will get the F32 4-Series’s svelte coupe shape. However, both cars will have common internals. The highlight will be the raspy engine you hear in the video above, which to these ears sounds a bit like the 3.2-litre straight-six last used in the E46 M3.The engine is believed to be a 3.0-litre unit codenamed the S55. That makes it sound very much like a high-performance derivative of the N55 found in the latest 335i and 435i models, which makes sense as the BMW M Division is no longer building standalone engines.A pair of turbochargers and tuning of the heads should get performance to the levels demanded by an M car. We’re expecting a power figure somewhere between 300 and 335 kW.www.motorauthority.com  

Much has been made of the significance of the two-door M3's name change to M4. But both M3 and M4 will live on in the 2014 model year, despite the nomenclatural bifurcation.The real test, of course, will be how the new M4 drives. If it's lighting lap times on fire and stunning stoplight racers, the name will be a technicality.Fortunately, we may not have long to wait now. In an interview with Motor Trend, BMW M Performance Automobiles's managing director Friedrich Nitschke has confirmed both the M3 sedan and M4 coupe will be at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show.So what can we expect next January? The 2014 BMW M4 is expected to focus on performance through lightness, shaving weight from the standard 4-Series wherever possible. Add to that a turbocharged in-line six-cylinder engine cranking out something north of 310kW and you have the start of a good recipe.The same engine is expected in the 2014 M3 sedan, and most of the rest of the performance equipment should be shared between the two, though adjustments to account for tuning differences will be made. Among the other performance-enhancers expected for the M3/M4 duo is an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential, lower and stiffer suspension, wider wheels and tires, upgraded brakes, and a range of aerodynamic changes to the exterior. For more details, see our 2014 BMW M3 spy shots.www.motorauthority.com  

Looking rather resplendent in its bright orange paintwork, this final performance two-door marks the end of a truly wonderful era. Why is this the last coupe? Because the brand will apply the M moniker to the upcoming 4-Series coupe going forward. M4 certainly doesn't have the same ring to it, but we will all get used to it in time. It will likely still be one of the best driver's cars on the road, and remain a performance target for other manufacturers. Still, it's a bit sad that we can't speak about the latest M3 coupe anymore. That's been a favorite bit of news to look forward to over the last few decades, and each iteration provided something new and special for the next generation of enthusiasts who were lucky enough to afford the highly capable machines. From E30 through E92, the generations of the BMW M3 coupe still find fans of all ages. Will these folks covet the M4 in the same way? Most likely... but we still prefer the old badge, and we wouldn't be surprised if a few 3 badges wind up on the tails of the 4. Kicking it older school with some new school tech is a way to celebrate the future while remembering the past. www.motorauthority.com  

It's gone through quite a few evolutions across its varied generations, and each version finds a large crowd of enthusiasts that claim their favorite is the best version. Be it E30, E36, E46, and so on, each one has something to offer for anyone with a love of cars and driving enjoyment or merely anyone with a pulse. One of the greatest M3 models ever produced, however, is undoubtedly the 2003 M3 CSL. Already a powerful performer, BMW took the E46 a few steps further when it introduced the CSL variant. The goal with this car was to reduce weight in order to push performance. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer was used throughout the body, the seats were swapped out for lighter-weight units, and the sound deadening was removed. The brakes were upgraded, as was the suspension, transmission, and even the engine. The result was a BMW M3 that could lap the Nürburgring in under eight minutes, and then be driven home and parked lovingly in your garage. That is, if you could scoop up one of these ultra-rare beasts. Just under 1,400 examples were produced with approximately zero officially sold here in North America. Of course, a few slipped through the borders, and seeing one in the flesh is a wild treat. A flock of BMW M3 CSL owners recently came together to celebrate the vehicles 10th birthday. In fact, 50 lucky CSL owners banded together to hang out and share their love of a fabulous machine. BMW put it on video, and it's worth a watch just for a few looks at the M3 CSL. www.motorauthority.com  

The German brand has announced details of the M3 Pure Coupe, in effect a cut price version of the performance machine. Priced from $125,000, a hefty $30,000 less than a standard M3, they've basically removed all of the features that someone more interested in the dynamics is not going to miss or want for that matter. Still included however are the Bi-Xenon lights, the pro navigation system, Bluetooth and USB audio interface, along with the storage and lights package, front and rear parking sensors and the light weight carbon fibre roof (you wouldn't want to lose the latter). Changes to the interior include cloth and leather upholstery as well as Titanium Shadow interior trim as standard. Gone are things like the CD stacker, adaptive headlights, comfort access and the no cost option sunroof. You might however miss the heated seats and Harman Kardon sound system. In addition there is also revised pricing to options available across the M3 range, which add to the enthusiast appeal of the M3 such as the Competition Package, M Drive and Electronic Damper Control. The Competition Package, which must be ordered in conjunction with M Drive and Dynamic Damper Control, is $1800 ($600 saving), M Drive is $2700 ($700 saving) and Dynamic Damper Control, $3300 ($700 saving).  

...the next model is almost ready.We know turbo charging is inevitable, but how about three of them? Jawohl, a tri-turbo 3.3-litre inline petrol six good for some 330kW. Numerologically auspicious, then, in addition to bloody fast. Here early in 2014 for about $150k.

The group of Hells Angels bikies charged including Sydney chapter boss Felix Lyle, Mostafa Jouayde, Selim Kocak, Jeffrey Sahyoun and Nonda Stamatakis.The group had been accused of attempting to extort cash from Terry Mullens, the owner of a luxury car yard at Burwood, in Sydney's inner west.They had been charged with demanding with menace between July 7 and 11, 2011, a silver BMW M3 valued at $49,000 from Mr Mullens at his dealership on Parramatta Road.They had also been charged with participating in a criminal group and intimidation with intent to cause fear or physical harm in relation to the incident.All five pleaded not guilty to the charges last year.In Burwood Local Court on Tuesday, police prosecutor Daniel McMahon withdrew all charges against the men.He said the decision was taken because of recent developments, but told the court he did not want to go into them at this stage.In a discussion over costs, counsel for Stamatakis, Paul Hardin, said police had failed to properly investigate the credibility of Mr Mullens, who was to be a star witness for the prosecution.Jouayde, 31, and Kocak, 25, were present in court for the decision and smiled broadly as the charges against them were dropped, before leaving prior to the argument over costs.Jouayde, president of the Hells Angels Parramatta chapter, last year obtained a one-off extension to his bail curfew so he could marry his fiancee, Susie Arida, in a lavish wedding ceremony in Sydney.Lyle, 54, president of the Sydney Chapter of the Hells Angels, was not present at court. Magistrate Brian Maloney adjourned the hearing on costs to May 30. 

Bernard Tomic's orange BMW coupe continues to follow him around the world - with the Aussie tennis star coming in for more police questioning at his new Monte Carlo base. Tomic's hoon-mobile caused a Gold Coast stand-off back in January, when the 19-year-old was stopped twice on Australia Day by cops over alleged sneaky drives while on a restricted P-plate licence. Despite Tomic's unsuccessful attempts to flog his motor back in Queensland, the roar of the V8 engine has followed him to the tax-free European principality, home to dozens of his fellow ATP players. One Monte Carlo policeman even put the hard word on the teen over his car. "A policeman here, he pulled my dad over while walking. The guy asked him for his licence. Just a random check," Tomic revealed after reaching the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters with a 6-4 6-3 win over Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan. "The guy followed tennis, and he asked: 'How is it going with the car?'" While Tomic may be moving on from his notorious Beemer, temptation stares him in the face, with the motor-mad teen living not far from a Maserati dealership in Monte Carlo. So far he has resisted the urge to buy a car. But like a sleazy, insincere car salesman, it's maybe time for mX to suggest a couple of nice little runners that might better suit the tennis teen.