When BMW mentioned the subsequent M3 can be powered by a “new kind of six-cylinder engine,” some shops jumped to take a position it could be a V6. We shortly dismissed the rumor, reporting as an alternative that the sports activities sedan would follow its hallmark inline-six. Certain sufficient, the “G84” gained’t mess with a profitable components.
We spoke with M CEO Frank van Meel on the Japan Mobility Present about what’s forward for the gas-powered M3. Purists, rejoice: he confirmed our authentic reporting that the seventh-generation mannequin will retain the inline-six setup:
“We’re going to maintain the six-cylinder inline engine in the way forward for the M3. We’re sticking to the very best combustion-engine automobile within the phase, the long-lasting six-cylinder inline.”
The V6 rumor by no means made a lot sense anyway. BMW has by no means bought a manufacturing automobile with a V6, so why begin now? Growing an all-new engine from scratch can be expensive and poorly timed because the business strikes towards electrification. Investing in a V6 solely to make use of it for a couple of quick years merely wouldn’t make monetary sense.
Europe’s deliberate 2035 ban on new combustion-engine automobile gross sales additional narrows the window for such a challenge. That mentioned, BMW has experimented with V6s previously. As journalist Jason Cammisa revealed in a 2015 Road & Track column, the corporate secretly constructed and examined a number of prototypes. Nonetheless, none got here “near assembly firm noise and harshness requirements.”
As for BMW’s reference to a “new kind of six-cylinder engine,” that line got here from Mike Reichelt, Head of Neue Klasse, in an interview with Top Gear earlier this 12 months. We imagine he was hinting at an electrified evolution of the confirmed S58 engine. Don’t fear: it gained’t be a plug-in hybrid.
BMW will doubtless give the twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six a mild-hybrid system to fulfill tightening emissions requirements, significantly Euro 7. The preliminary M3 G84 taste might ship round 525 horsepower, with potential to succeed in 560 hp later in its life cycle. We’re listening to BMW plans to supply what would be the closing gasoline M3 era completely with xDrive and an computerized transmission.
If our info is correct, and it normally is, the clock is ticking for the rear-wheel-drive, guide M3. Manufacturing of the present G80 reportedly ends in March 2027, which means order books might shut a few 12 months from now. The subsequent-generation M3 is slated to enter manufacturing in mid-2028, however not in Munich. BMW might construct the three Collection (G50) and its spicy M spinoff in Dingolfing.
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