The 2014 BMW M3 has been spied completely free of camouflage while on an official filming shoot.
Spotted by a keen-eyed motorcycle rider – and his helmet-mounted camera – the all-new production-ready fifth-generation BMW M3 carries over the aggressive front bumper and power dome bonnet bulge seen on the two-door M4 Coupe concept.
The new sedan also sports identical wide guards, guard vents, carbonfibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof, rear bumper and quad exhaust to the concept car.
Rolling on large-diameter M wheels, the high-performance BMW 3 Series flagship is finished in a new bright blue hue – reportedly dubbed ‘Yas Marina Blue Metallic’ after the run-off areas of the Yas Marina Formula One circuit in Abu Dhabi.
Confirming mechanical details of the M3 sedan and M4 coupe last month, BMW announced both will weigh “just under” 1500kg and be powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine producing “approximately” 316kW and “far beyond” 500Nm.
Tied to either a six-speed manual transmission with an automatic downshift rev-matching feature, or a seven-speed dual-clutch auto with launch control, BMW claims fuel consumption and emissions for the two M cars have also been reduced by “around 25 per cent” compared with the outgoing 309kW/400Nm naturally aspirated 4.0-litre V8-powered M3 – putting it nearer the 9.3L/100km and 218g/km mark.
The new BMW M3 is due to join its M4 sibling in arriving locally in mid 2014 following an anticipated twin premiere at the Detroit auto show in January.
