Future BMW M3 to drop V8 for a turbo 6 pot

Words are being exchanged that BMW’s in-house performance tuner, M GmbH, will most probably let the 4.0 litre V8 from the current M3 lose, to make way for a turbocharged 6 cylinder engine to power next M3, although the cylinder arrangement of the new engine is unknown, meaning it can either be arranged to form an inline 6 or a V6. An inline 6 may prove to be lighter, but V6 is more space friendly.

The next powerplant would be completely new, and not just an updated version of the current 3.0 litre 6 cylinder engine found in the 335i and 135i. An executive from BMW also commented that new engine may not even produce as much horsepower as the current 4.0 litre V8, but the key is to achieve high a power to weight ratio, with lightweight design implemented into the construction of the engine and the body structure.

The usage of a V6 configuration is currently being debated internally as according to BMW M president Ludwig Willisch, a V configuration would allow a more compact installation compared to an inline-6. It looks like BMW is beginning to abandon all that it used to be famous for in favor for things that make more sense.

First went the pure normally aspirated line-up, then soon even the M models will go turbo, beginning with the X5 M and X6 M. If the new M3 ends up having a V6, you can expect the V6 to trickle down the product line replacing the I6 engines. What next, a switch to front wheel drive? Probably not until another competitor does so, but it would be a sad day for RWD purists!

The next high performance 1 Series, on the other hand, will most probably feature a twin-turbocharged 4 cylinder motor. This high performance 1-Series that will not feature the M designation will be positioned as a baby M3, and will offer what the classic E30 M3 offered during its time, which is a cracking motor in a small body.

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Harvinder Sidhu

Harvinder Singh Sidhu thinks there's nothing better than Formula 1, not even sliced bread. Having written about cars since 2006, he plunged head first into the industry out of a passion for all things four-wheeled and everything in between. The F1 enthusiast has been following the sport since 1999 and has been keeping up with it since. In between races he keeps himself busy as the host of the Driven motoring show and as our version of the Joker.

 

Comments

  • BanyakMasukWorkshop (Member) on Mar 20, 2009 at 3:26 pm

    [quote comment=”222848″]yes, this is good, the current m3 is a bit of a disappointment[/quote]

    why is it a disappointment?

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  • lambov12 (Member) on Mar 20, 2009 at 5:23 pm

    looks like V8 soon will be written in the pages of history …

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  • lambov12 (Member) on Mar 20, 2009 at 5:25 pm

    seems V8 engine, the chevvy 5.7 litres V8 and the M3 4.0 litre V8 will be written in the pages of history ..

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  • I did saw a V8 M3 in SIC, the pick up is slow but it hv top end power. If they go back to 6 cyclinder turbo that will be much better.

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  • BanyakMasukWorkshop on Mar 20, 2009 at 5:54 pm

    this certainly doesnt mean the end for V8's in bmw. they continue to change engine config, and cylinder count all the time.. from 4, to 6, to V8, to V10, V8..etc..

    anyways.. still plenty of V8's around.

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  • isharestuff on Mar 20, 2009 at 6:00 pm

    In 90's, people thought it's impossible to put handphone in pocket and what's in our pocket is not just a phone anymore. Small is the way to go.

    3000cc is reasonable. At least road tax friendly.

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  • 4G63T DSM on Mar 20, 2009 at 6:50 pm

    hah. I see that BMW has gotten itself in another conundrum of how to "M" its 1 series. Can't call it the M1? riiight, you already have the M1 supercar….

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  • just wait n see da outcome… it seems promising

    cheers!

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  • Sex is wonderful, bu (Member) on Mar 20, 2009 at 10:21 pm

    yes, this is good, the current m3 is a bit of a disappointment

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  • BanyakMasukWorkshop on Mar 21, 2009 at 12:17 am

    [quote comment="222778"]I did saw a V8 M3 in SIC, the pick up is slow but it hv top end power. If they go back to 6 cyclinder turbo that will be much better.[/quote]

    err.. pickup is slow?

    hahah.. sorry ah.. just coz i own a bimmer doesnt mean i'm bias.. a bit, but not a lot.. but what do you consider fast pickup?

    i personally thought the pickup in the new m3 was extremely fast, violent, and with an engine note to make you go weak at the knees.

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  • hidrogentank on Mar 21, 2009 at 2:05 am

    u got that right on haha…..it got me and my friends laughing when we talked about it.

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  • so for those who own the m3, hold on to it. the engine is gonna soar in value once this car stopped production in…….5 more years. LOL.

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  • waiting for my e30 M3 to soar in value, 5 more years..

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  • Sexythang on Mar 21, 2009 at 8:50 pm

    with the success of the 3 litre turbo unit you knew the new V8 has to go. coz its only proped up by the fact that its a V8. and journalist need to give it a pity review as being good. current m3 is a dissapointment. its only pride getting in the away of people to actually admit it. it was also 2 years late to the party yet only manage to match that of its 2 year old rival in the RS4 V8.

    yes, the v8 m3 will be special. but not in a good way as we want it to be.

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  • James on Mar 24, 2009 at 2:23 am

    Oh yea… bring back the line-6… Personally, I prefer the line-6 over v8s. The noise is sharper and the engine is more robust under-overboost conditions.

    Other than BMW's famous line-6 cars, there is the Nissan's legendary GTR that can be mod to produce 1000hp on a 2,8litre line-6. It shows that line-6 engines are the best for power output.

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  • Sad….if no more line-6 ;(

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