BMW M3 downsizing?
March 28, 2008 by George Skentzos
Future incarnations of the BMW M3 may no longer use the newly introduced V8 powerplant, with tougher emissions standards and environmental expectations encouraging BMW’s M division to seek more power from smaller engines.
The BMW M3 has always featured powerful naturally aspirated engines, beginning with an inline-4 in the original which progressed to the iconic inline-6 and then finally the current high-revving V8.
However in order to continue producing faster and more powerful sports cars, BMW’s M division may create another first for the M3 – with BMW boss Norbert Reithofer expressing interest in the 223kW twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline-six as a possible alternative to displacement and cylinders.
The trend toward smaller engines doesn’t stop with the M3 range however, with BMW’s V8 diesel also likely to be replaced with a twin turbocharged I6.
Source: TheTruthAboutCars
Print it: 
*****PRIMO!*****
Rather the new C63 Benz, quicker, more class and it rocks!![oh, cheaper too]
Cheers
F-0
Pffftttttt…Frugal. Quicker yes but only in a straight line.So you enjoy driving axe murders then ?
Anti spam word BMW…….arrrrrrr welcome home .
So looks like BMW are again bending over for the yanks emission levels.Greattttttttttttt !
I do love a rumour though,cant see it happening,to much technology has gone into this engine to can it just yet .
It is a rare occasion to have the car Advice site without a junkie called “Bavarian Missile” away for more than one day! LOL
The M3 downsizing? errr… :|
I know OZ I said the same thing to Wheelnut……..haven’t been on since over a week ago. I did watch what was going on when I was at Wheelnuts the last week but it seemed not much going on except for the same old Toyota saluting…..plus had other things that were HARD to ignore…hehehe meow!!!!
Had the best time in Adelaide with my baby he is a one of!
Welcome back missile. You probably needed a break from toyota advice. Ha Ha. Hope you gave Wheelnut a big cuddle from us Tee Hee.
Back to a 6cyl M3 then twin turbo what a about a supercharger as well just for the show. Just been reading about a high performance BMW hybrid in May 2008 issue of Cars and a 150mpg Hybrid from GM. Should sort TP’s frustrations out.
Also the M3 are going to using the Ti label below M series cars again. interesting stuff.
See yah
It’s strange that BMW’s high-rev M engines tend to consume more fuel than their competitors, while regular Bimmers are usually more efficient as against comparable Audis and Benzes.
Their reunion with turbos should see more models with forced induction, including the upcoming Z4 and hopefully an R8 fighter.
Thanks babe for the welcome home……..Ill give Wheelnut a big cuddle always do he enjoys a cuddle cause he just a little shorter than me and is at a great eye level for the assets he says……….he lived up to {pardon the pun}to all my expectations and more in others!!
Back to the M…I cant see the Worlds most powerful letter going backwards in performance,sorry!
Juraj Im lost with what you are saying…….”It’s strange that BMW’s high-rev M engines tend to consume more fuel than their competitors, while regular Bimmers are usually more efficient as against comparable Audis and Benzes.”
Do you think that owners of high performance cars really give two hoots about economy,sorry babe most I know in any performance car purchase them for the passion not the pocket! And I don’t think that 12.6 litres in the I6 3.2 around town thrashed as hard as you like is that bad,open road I get around 10.0….Ill check your economy figures against Audi and AMG stuff. Interesting you don’t think of Lexus as being a competitor to the mighty M ……………me neither!
I think the efficiency of the M engine is astounding,M make everything to maximum capacity so that every thing flows and nothing is lost during power production,sort of this goes with that not add that cause it gives it an advantage. Never have I owned a car that even the exhaust emissions run so clean . Although after watching the repeat of Top Gear last night I noticed the Saab they were testing actually excreted less pollution than in breathed in,thats amazing,what did the guys say on the show”"you actually are doing the environment a favour by driving the Saab cause its cleaning the air.Will be back soon on the emissions for you.
Ok Im back
Claimed fuel economy figures on the
C63 Merc are…………..Fuel consumption: 13.4litres/100km (claimed).
E92 M3 12.4 ………….
Audi RS4 13.5………..
So from that I think Ive determined the M badge is still wearing the little black dress and the others are wearing a
pretty frock!
Anti spam word was BMW……..so couldn’t resist!
Oh and Primo……….the Benz is .3 of a second faster than the E92,now I know TP would think thats a big deal but do you really think it matters that much.
M3 4.0 LITRE V8………
C63 6.2 LITRE………
So I think .3 of a second is nothing!!!!!!!
Go the little black dress,always the classic!
Yes! Bring back the silky straight six- hopefully by next gen it will have full electronic valve control and various other developments. What a tantalising prospect indeed.
If M do revert back to an inline 6 it could make the V8 M3 even more of a collectors item and I suspect would be a very limited number particularly here in Oz
Bavarian Missile…for the record what do you actually drive
98 M3 from memory. Its on the forum somewhere, have a look.