SPIED: G80 BMW M3 shows skin, hides massive grille

SPIED: G80 BMW M3 shows skin, hides massive grille

Slowly but surely, the pieces are coming together for the new G80 BMW M3. The latest version of Munich’s benchmark high-performance compact sedan – based on the regular G20 3 Series – has been caught undergoing testing, and these latest spyshots show the car with its production body panels for the first time.

As is usual for an M car, it gets a beefier stance than the cooking sedan, with a wider track width hidden by the more muscular fenders. Dual-arm wing mirrors also make an appearance, and one should also expect the trademark gills to sprout up aft of the front wheels of the production model.

Naturally, most of the changes will be clustered around the front of the car, and just like the current car, the M3 will likely share everything ahead of the A-pillars with the M4 (note the disappearance of the 3 Series’ “fanged” headlights). Now, it’s quite clear that all models of the 4 Series – including the M4 – will receive the massive and highly controversial double kidney grille that was previewed on the Concept 4.

SPIED: G80 BMW M3 shows skin, hides massive grille

And while BMW has taken great care to obscure the face of this test mule, the presence of an offset radar sensor for the adaptive cruise control (usually mounted in the middle) is enough evidence to suggest that the M3 will also receive the bucked teeth. The rear end is far less polarising, fitted with a large diffuser and the obligatory quad tailpipes.

Expect the M3 (and by extension, the M4 coupé/convertible) to be powered by the X3 and X4 M‘s S58 3.0 litre twin-turbocharged straight-six, producing 480 hp in standard form and 510 hp in the more hardcore Competition. The company has previously hinted that the two models will retain the option of a manual gearbox, but only on purer (i.e. standard) variants.

This leaves the door open for the Competition model to gain the oft-rumoured eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive – the latter with a rear-wheel drive mode – from the latest F90 M5 and F92 M8.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

Certified Pre-Owned - 1 Year Warranty

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • 4bini on Nov 15, 2019 at 8:01 pm

    This is a wonderful looking car. I hope no third world car maker again make the claim that their cars are better than BMW and that they are the BMW of Asia.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 8
    • JOACHIM on Nov 16, 2019 at 5:45 pm

      You need to get your eyes checked. The bodywork is still in preproduction and nothing yet finalised. The purpose of that psychedelic paint work is so people cannot make out the features.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Goreng pisang on Nov 16, 2019 at 7:24 pm

      I agree with you, instead of syiok sendiri claiming Proton to be better than game changing BMW, learn from BMW

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 4
      • Smoke Gets In My Eyes on Nov 18, 2019 at 2:39 pm

        What are you smoking? No one here is talking about Proton except you

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • Li Peng on Nov 16, 2019 at 9:43 pm

      Yes, I like the painting too.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
    • Typical Malaysian on Nov 18, 2019 at 10:08 am

      One thing is for sure, the other 3rd world car maker that rides on big bro T’s fame will definitely have owners tailgating BMW, thinking with mere modification of exhaust and ride height, they own the right lane, posting “top speed” in whatsapp and facebook groups. LOL

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
    • Sam KK Look on Nov 18, 2019 at 1:40 pm

      This is a wonderful looking car. I hope no third world junk car maker (this junk car maker with 7 letter word start with “P”, ending with “A”) make the claim that their cars are same level with Toyota, better than BMW and that they are the Toyota of Asia.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • hide-ous massive grille

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • Brigette on Dec 16, 2019 at 11:37 am

    You рrobably had to stqrt yⲟur car by running …

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required