Latest news with #BMWM3
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
SPIED: Electric BMW M3 Shows Off More Of Its Unique Take On Performance
The BMW M3 will someday go electric, and if these new spy shots captured at the Nürburgring are anything to go by, that momentous occasion isn't very far away. For the first time, an electric M3 prototype has been captured with its production body, though it still has several deceptive elements pasted on top of it. The development mule in question appears to have been pushed hard, as evidenced by a single brake rotor on the right rear of the car turning blue, like titanium does. The close-up shot was captured while the development mule was being recharged, and we can also see a pale blue light alongside the connector, which all but confirms that most of the production hardware has been finalized. Smaller details like the production lighting units will go on at the last moment. As you'll see in these photos, it was only one drilled brake disc that changed color. Was this the result of binding, an ineffective cooling system, or substandard materials? Perhaps it was one of those elements, all of them, or a combination of just two, but another possibility is that BMW was testing some sort of vehicle dynamics controller that brakes an inside wheel to better rotate the car. Since the Nordschleife is driven clockwise, the right rear would most often be the inside wheel, but given that the course is nearly 13 miles long, it still seems odd that one brake would suffer more than the others. Whatever the case, the front brake calipers are finished in blue like most M cars, while the rears are unpainted, indicating that this prototype is not wearing carbon-ceramic brakes (signified by gold calipers). It is, however, wearing production wheels, and while there are false panels on the hood, trunk, and fenders, the temporary bumpers show parking sensors, again indicating that the finished product is near. This electric M3 was snapped as it entered the BMW M Development Test Center at the Nürburgring, so we can look forward to seeing it on the track soon. Our spies are told to expect between 700 and 750 horsepower. The electric M3 is expected to enter production in March 2027, which suggests a reveal mid-way through next year, and it's likely to feature the new flax fiber composite technology that BMW expects will replace carbon fiber as a lightweight but environmentally friendly material. 20-inch wheels will reportedly be standard with a staggered 20-/21-inch setup available, and carbon-ceramic brakes will be optional. The M3 sedan will arrive first, and though no wagon has appeared on leaked internal production reports, it's all but inevitable. We expect to see the M3 shed more camouflage in the coming weeks, so stay tuned. In the meantime, a summary of everything we know about the electric M3 so far will have to suffice. Related: 2027 BMW M350 Will Be An AMG-Hunting Sleeper Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
2025 BMW M3 Challenges Mustang Shelby GT350R in Drag Race
⚡️ Read the full article on Motorious Amid growing concerns about the future of manual transmissions, an unlikely matchup between the new 2025 BMW M3 sedan and the venerable Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R coupe has sparked renewed excitement among automotive enthusiasts. In an era dominated by automatic transmissions and electric vehicles, three-pedal cars remain cherished by drivers seeking an engaging driving experience. The BMW M3 and Mustang Shelby GT350R both offer manual transmissions, representing two distinct yet beloved approaches to performance: refined German engineering versus raw American muscle. To celebrate this shared passion for manual gearboxes, automotive YouTuber Sam, known from the channel "Sam CarLegion," recently arranged a drag-and-roll race showdown between the two. On paper, the contest might seem uneven: BMW's M3 packs a twin-turbocharged inline-six rated at 473 horsepower, while Ford's Shelby GT350R brings a naturally aspirated V8 boasting 526 horsepower. The races commenced with rolling starts. At 37 mph, the Shelby Mustang narrowly edged out the BMW M3, highlighting the close competition between the two vehicles. At 49 mph, however, the GT350R's higher horsepower and larger displacement secured a clearer victory, demonstrating the timeless adage: "There's no replacement for displacement." In the standing-start quarter-mile races, driver skill played a significant role. Despite the M3's advanced engineering and precise handling, the Mustang GT350R leveraged its power advantage and visceral performance to win decisively. The Mustang reached 60 mph in 4.0 seconds, compared to the M3's 4.3 seconds. It completed the quarter-mile in 12.2 seconds, while the M3 trailed at 12.7 seconds. This matchup underscores why manual transmissions continue to captivate driving enthusiasts, even as manufacturers shift towards automatic and electrified drivetrains. Both cars offered exhilarating experiences, proving that for passionate drivers, the allure of a stick shift remains as strong as ever.
Auto Blog
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
BMW Vision Neue Klasse Gallery: In The Metal From Goodwood
The future of BMW design looks a lot better than the present It's been some time since the BMW Vision Neue Klasse and Vision Neue Klasse X were revealed, but they are still captivating BMW fans and neutral enthusiasts alike. Previewing the next generation of BMW design, these concepts are a world apart from current production BMWs. We got to see both concepts up close at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where they were as visually arresting as they are in glossy images. 1 Source: Adam Lynton/Autoblog Both concepts feature much cleaner panels than current BMW models, such as the fussy new 5 Series. They both also feature a new interpretation of BMW's kidney grilles. 2 Source: Adam Lynton/Autoblog The Vision Neue Klasse concept has daytime running lights integrated into its incredibly wide kidneys. It's this concept that will heavily influence the look of the first electric BMW M3, which has already been spied being tested on public roads. 3 Source: Adam Lynton/Autoblog The back features the same sweeping lighting, stretching almost entirely from side to side. 4 Source: Adam Lynton/Autoblog We expect the futuristic interior layout to be toned down quite a bit in the production car. Nevertheless, it features an unusually shaped center touchscreen, and above that is another screen displaying key driving info. A 3D head-up display is on the menu, one of several high-tech features, and the latest iDrive will make an appearance, too. 5 The sedan has a wide, chunky stance, and it has the next interpretation of one of BMW's key design cues: The C-pillar Hofmeister kink. 6 Source: Adam Lynton/Autoblog Unlike the sedan, the Neue Klasse X is an SUV with a taller, more upright body. It has a more traditional, vertical shape to the kidney grille section, but its slim size is much more reminiscent of 1970 and 1980s BMWs, such as the E12 5 Series. Not much else can be compared with older Bimmers, though. 7 Source: Adam Lynton/Autoblog The rear of the Neue Klasse X is a bit more conventional, but there are still clever details here, such as the way the indentation of the roof spoiler mirrors the tailgate design lower down. 8 Source: Adam Lynton/Autoblog Many recycled materials were used to craft the SUV's cabin, which has an almost complete lack of physical controls. It has a similar display layout to the sedan, and BMW has almost entirely concealed air vents. 9 Source: Adam Lynton/Autoblog The Neue Klasse X rides on stylish 22-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber. 10 Previewing not only the next-generation iX3, the Neue Klasse X shows that a whole new generation of BMW SUVs stands to benefit from its striking design, while the Vision Neue Klasse does the same for sedans. After many years of BMWs being derided for their awkward looks, we're looking forward to a return to form for BMW design. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
Top Gear
08-07-2025
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Nine of the finest six-cylinder performance cars on sale right now
Advertisement Lotus Emira V6 SE (£96,500) The 400bhp Emira is a major swansong for Lotus since it's the last combustion-powered car it'll ever make. Opt for the heartier 3.5-litre six-cylinder supplied by Toyota - shared with the old Evora and Exige models - and you'll snap to 62mph in 4.3s and on to a top speed of 180mph. It lags slightly behind in acceleration, top speed, and torque compared to the AMG four-pot-powered Turbo SE, but the gains include a punchier soundtrack and the option of a six-speed manual. Advertisement - Page continues below Ferrari 296 GTB (£241,500) Many had their reservations about the 296 GTB's hybrid V6 when it launched: could it still excite like mid-engined Ferraris of old? Yes, the world quickly discovered. Ferrari called it a 'piccolo' V12 (or 'little' V12) during development, because the equal-length manifolds and symmetrical firing order combine to create a similar sound to a 12-cylinder. It also punches pretty hard for a six-pot engine, with 819bhp and 546lb ft of torque when combined with an electric motor. The 0-62mph sprint takes just 2.9s and there's a top-end of 205mph. It's currently the eighth-fastest car around the Fiorano test track, with the more hardcore Speciale entering the podium. That's because it gets an extra 49bhp, 60kg less weight and 20 per cent higher downforce at peak speeds. That'll only be sold for a limited amount of time, though. You might like BMW G80 M3 Touring (£91,865) Armed with BMW's 'S58' straight-six, which sends 523bhp and 480lb ft through an eight-speed 'box to all four wheels, the M3 Touring will haul you, your family and your petrified pooch to 62mph in just 3.6s. It won our 'All The Car You'll Ever Need' Award two years ago, too. Advertisement - Page continues below Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio (£86,885) An Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio isn't as rounded or crushingly complete as a BMW M3, if you're the sort of person who likes their infotainment pixel-sharp and snappy. If you crave 'connected services' between your car and smartphone. Whatever they are. But if you're a human being with a soul and want a four-door saloon with gorgeous looks... you can't buy the M3. And if you want a family saloon that's bite-the-back-of-your-hand brilliant to drive, then even today, five years after the Giulia Quadrifoglio came into our lives, you probably can't do better anywhere else. McLaren Artura Spider (£221,500) Hell of an engine, this. The Spider's hybridised 690bhp 3.0-litre V6 weighs just 160kg, 50kg less than the 4.0-litre V8 that's powered most McLarens so far. It's also impressively compact. Rather than a 90-degree V, the cylinders sit at a 120-degree angle, which also reduces pressure losses in the exhaust. The twin turbos sit within the 'hot vee' configuration, which means they can spin faster with helpful consequences for throttle response. That's packed into a deeply impressive car that's easy to drive quickly but with extra layers that reveal themselves the more you push it. We recently had an MC20 in our long-term fleet, and as it turns out, it does the whole 'daily supercar' thing quite well. It's pretty, too, and that clean-sheet 'Nettuno' 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 is positioned at a 90-degree angle, dry-sumped and supported by Formula One-grade pre-chamber combustion for a more efficient burn. The result is 621bhp and 538lb ft, with 0-62mph sorted in under three seconds en route to a 202mph vmax. Mercedes-AMG CLE 53 Coupe (£75,660) The first thing you'll note about the hot new CLE 53 is its stance: the brawny bonnet, the slowly descending roofline and those chunky hips are all reminiscent of the old V8-powered C63s. Sadly, the engine isn't the same, though the hearty turbocharged inline-six gets 443bhp and 413lb ft - or an extra 30 torques with overboost engaged. It's not quite as focused and tactile as some of the other bits on this list, sure, but as a mid-range performance car, it's still really rather good. Advertisement - Page continues below BMW G87 M2 Coupe (£67,055) A strange performance car, in that the automatic version might actually be better than the manual. Regardless of which you choose, the rear-drive M2 shares the M3's S58 engine, repurposed here to spin 473bhp at the flywheel. This may also be the last purely petrol-powered M car, and should that end up being the case, it's a wonderful - if a little too mature - swansong. As our Ollie Kew said in his review: 'No other small sporting coupe is as practical, as complete, and in many ways the M2 now asks very serious questions of the M4 itself.' Talk about annoyingly talented younger siblings. Porsche 992.2 911 GT3 (£158,200) The definitive six-cylinder performance car that's shown the way for decades. And so to the current 992.2 GT3: rear-mounted, water-cooled 4.0-litre flat-six which revs to 9,000rpm, and produces 503bhp and 332lb ft. 0-62mph is dealt with in 3.4s and, given enough room, it'll punch its way to 193mph. This engine is the culmination of over six decades of work, and as you'd expect, it's absolutely delicious. Advertisement - Page continues below
Car and Driver
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
2027 BMW M3: What We Know So Far
Overview The BMW M3 has been a sports sedan benchmark for nearly four decades, and its next-generation—expected to arrive for the 2027 model year—will bring big changes to the muscled-up 3er. For years, it has been speculated that the next M3 will be electric, and it now seems that those rumors are at least partially true. While details about the powertrain and underlying platform are sparse, an electric M3 is guaranteed. BMW has also confirmed that it hasn't given up on internal combustion engines, so it is reasonable to expect that there will also be a high-powered gas variant of the new car. The 2027 M3 will be built on a new vehicle architecture that will also underpin the standard models in the upcoming 3-series lineup, which are also expected to arrive for the 2027 model year. BMW gave us a peek at the potential styling direction for the new 3-series with the retro-futuristic Vision Neue Klasse EV concept in 2023, and the M3 will incorporate elements of that as well—albeit with more aggressive bodywork, in typical M3 fashion. It remains to be seen if both gas and electric variants will be available at launch or just the EV. But with BMW promising to 'set new standards' with the 2027 M3, it will undoubtedly provide acceleration that draws blood to the back of your brain, regardless of the powertrain. What's New for 2027? The BMW M3 will enter a new generation for the 2027 model year. The extensive rework represents a paradigm shift for the M3, which will offer an electric powertrain for the first time. Recent spy photos have shown a heavily camouflaged next-gen 3-series test mule with quad tailpipes, suggesting that a gas variant of the M3 is likely to exist alongside the EV. As with the standard 3-series, BMW has kept the M3 largely under wraps, only recently releasing photos of the EV M3 enveloped in M-print digital camouflage. Despite the disguise, it is clear that the new M3 sports wide fenders, aggressive front and rear bumpers, and large disc brakes—features shared with every M3 before it. Pricing and Which One to Buy The price of the 2027 BMW M3 is expected to start around $80,000 and go up to $90,000 depending on the trim and options. M3 $80,000 (est) M3 EV $90,000 (est) 0 $25k $50k $75k $100k $125k $150k While only the electric variant of the new M3 has been confirmed, it will likely be joined by a gas variant at some point. BMW hasn't released any pricing or equipment details for the M3 yet, so we're just guessing on the price points for now. Presumably, the new M3 will be more expensive than the outgoing model and the new electric variant will be significantly more costly than the gas version. We'll update this story once we have new information—pricing or otherwise. As more information becomes available, we'll update this story with more details about:
