BMW M3 2021: what do we know about the new M division sports saloon?

If you like sports saloons, we are sure you will love to know that, very soon, a new generation of the BMW M3 will reach the market. It is important to highlight that this new model will begin the era of the sixth generation of this legendary model. It will be called G80 and will bring some quite major changes. The new BMW M3 G80 will set the bar very high, and it must be remembered that the M3 badge began in 1986 with the e30 generation, in 1992 it was followed by the e36, in 2000 came the e46 generation, in 2007 and becoming the last naturally aspirated V8 engine, the e90 generation arrived, and fifthly came the F80 generation, in 2014.

Before breaking everything down, let us say that on paper, the G80 promises to be the most complete BMW M3 in history, which means that once the driver sits behind the wheel, they will probably forget any possible issue they may have with their driving style. Will we agree? We will have to wait until we get behind the wheel…

One of the most important changes, and possibly the one that will catch the most attention, is at the front, as the new BMW M3 will feature a new grille. Although some prototypes of the BMW M3 G80 have tried to fool us by making the area around the grille look “normal sized”, leaked images and various other spy shots suggest that the new M3 will arrive with the same large kidney grille design as its sibling, the new BMW M4. On this model, we know for certain that these two new and striking kidney grilles will debut.

In addition, the new Bavarian sports saloon will feature much more voluminous wheel arches, both on the front and rear axles. These will be accompanied by larger side skirts. At the rear, the bumper will also undergo some notable changes, most notably the new diffuser with four exhaust outlets. The boot will also feature a small spoiler.

BMW M3 G80: what is expected from the sixth generation of the Bavarian saloon?

As for the interior of the new German sports saloon, we can say that it will feature sports seats with M division badges. Everything also points to it offering up to three different equipment levels, and it may even include carbon fibre inserts. In terms of the driving position, we can say that it will not lack a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen.

However, what we can confirm now is that the BMW M3 2021 will be available with a 6-speed manual gearbox, which should excite those of you who still appreciate being able to change gears yourselves. The new M3 will sit on the CLAR platform of BMW, which means it should be lighter and more agile than the F80 generation model. “We are aware that there is a large base of M car enthusiasts around the world, and we will do everything possible to excite them and everything we can not to disappoint them,” said Carsten Piers, head of the BMW M division, in an interview.

The new BMW M3 will also feature the latest damper technology from the 3 Series and a new bespoke adaptive suspension system. As far as performance is concerned, we must say that the power will come from a new S58 engine, the same unit found in the X3 M and X4 M. Specifically, this powerplant is a 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six, producing 480 CV in the BMW M3 and 510 CV in the BMW M3 Competition. All this power will be sent to the road through a four-wheel drive system biased towards the rear wheels, although it is said that the RWD variants will be the only ones to come with the manual gearbox mentioned above.

Is there any alternative to this new generation of the BMW M3?

The Mercedes-Benz AMG C 63 and C 63 S, of course, as well as the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. There is also the Audi RS4, as long as you like estate bodystyles. As for the price, the new BMW M3 2021 may be a little more expensive than its predecessor, but we will have to wait a while longer to find out its price, and due to the health emergency caused by COVID-19, its presentation could be delayed until as late as early 2021.