BMW has made some upgrades to the M3, including a new 520bhp engine, but they have also made some changes. The rear-drive version of the car is no longer available. The latest G80-generation BMW M3 is now on sale with a starting price of £82,420 for the saloon form and £84,700 for the Touring. The car comes exclusively in Competition trim in the UK and is now equipped with four-wheel drive xDrive.
In terms of design, the new M3 doesn’t look drastically different from its predecessor. It features new LED headlights with arrow-shaped DRLs at the front, updated rear lights, and new 19-inch front and 20-inch rear forged wheel designs. The badge on the tailgate now has a silver-colored surround, but overall, the changes are subtle.
The most significant upgrades are in the powertrain department. The M3 now boasts a 3-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six engine that produces 523bhp, up from 503bhp in the previous model. The torque remains the same at 479lb ft, but it is now spread across a wider rev range. The car can accelerate from 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds for the saloon and slightly slower for the Touring. The top speed is 155mph, but with the optional M Driver’s Pack, it can go up to 180mph for the saloon and 174mph for the Touring.
The M3 comes with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, an Active M differential in the rear axle, and a four-wheel drive system with three configurable modes. Standard features include adaptive dampers, M Servotronic steering, and M Compound brakes. The optional ceramic discs reduce unsprung mass by 14kg. The car also comes with M Traction software for added control.
Inside, the M3 has a new flat-bottom steering wheel with a red 12 o’clock marker, and the instrument panel and center console offer grey aluminum or optional carbonfiber finishes. Opting for M carbon bucket seats saves 9.6kg, and additional carbon parts can be added with an optional exterior package. The car is equipped with the iDrive 8.5 infotainment system with M Laptimer, Drift Analyser, cloud-based navigation, BMW’s Personal Assistant, and wireless smartphone integration.
Orders for the new M3 are now open, with production set to begin in July. Overall, the M3 offers enhanced power and performance with a sleek design and advanced technology features to provide an exhilarating driving experience for enthusiasts.