Top 3 things you need to know about the BMW M3
The BMW M3 is one of the brand's most important models, not only locally but globally. As with the previous generation, the BMW M3 will come in a sedan body style whereas the M4 will come in a coupe. We list the top three things you need to know about the BMW M3.
The latest BMW M3 and M3 Competition models were unveiled during the earlier stages of 2020. The first press images to circle the internet were met with a divided response as the model introduced a brand-new kidney grill design. Some fans and customers like the new direction whereas others are still not convinced. But according to the BMW M CEO, Markus Flasch, the design is more about function than anything else.
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As we come closer to what is expected to be the month (March) when the new M3 will officially make its debut in South Africa. More and more information regarding the new model and in which form it will make its way to local shores, come to light. We have even managed to get the pricing customers can expect for the new M3 and M4 models.
1. Design
When you consider the 3-Series sedan models already available locally, the M3 sedan features a completely new front-end design. Instead of the horizontally orientated grilles, you find on the more consumer-focussed variants, the M3 sedan incorporates two large vertical grilles with horizontal double bars. The kidney grille is also finished in a glossy black and omit any kind of surround, however, incorporates a model badge.
The new grille is flanked by slim full LED headlamps as standard equipment while lower down features large apertures which feed air to the brakes. On the sides, customers will notice the prominently flared wheel arches are the extended side sills which compliment parts of the rear and front apron. Also prominently featuring on the sides are the forged, light-alloy wheels which measure 18-inch at the front and 19-inch at the rear.
At the rear of the M3 sedan features a large diffuser which is finished in black. This is bolstered by the Black Chrome tailpipes, two on each side, each measuring 100 millimetres in diameter. The diffuser design compliments the air guiding elements found on the carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic roof. The full-LED taillamps take a familiar shape but are darkened to fit with the gloss black theme around the vehicle.
The interior design of the M3 will be familiar to 3-Series owners, however, with additional enhancements made. The driver benefits from a new design leather-clad steering wheel that prominently features M buttons finished in red and the signature M emblem at the bottom. Centrally the start/stop button also comes finished in red, while the selector lever is now covered in leather and an M logo feature.
While both front occupants benefit from sports seats, the rear occupants also see new contours incorporated. The seats come finished in fine-grain Merino leather and are available in a variety of colour combinations and themes such as Kyalami Orange/Black with accents in Black.
2. Model range
The new BMW M3 comes in three individual models namely the standard M3, M3 Competition and M3 Competition xDrive, the latter offering all-wheel-drive, a first for M3 and M4 models. All three variants are powered by a 3.0-litre, inline 6-cylinder, twin-power turbocharged petrol motor, however, the unit on the standard M3 delivers 353 kW and 550 Nm of torque whereas the engine in the Competition variants produces 375 kW and 650 Nm.
The standard M3 sends its power to the rear wheel via a 6-speed manual gearbox whereas the Competition model utilises an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission. Thus the standard M3 will sprint to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds whereas the Competition models achieve this in 3.9 seconds. All models have a limited top speed of 250 km/h but can be increased to 290 km/h when specifying the M Driver's Package.
Here is the kicker, South Africa will not be getting the standard M3 or M4 but rather the competition models. That means we will not gain access to the 6-speed manual gearbox.
3. Pricing
The BMW M3 Competition is set to launch within the next few weeks and leaked pictures of the model arriving locally has been seen across social media platforms. For those rather looking for the xDrive variants, you will have to wait a little longer as those might only arrive in late September.
The indicated pricing for the new BMW M3 Competition is R1 876 836, that is including VAT and CO2 tax but this could still change before the official launch. Like with the other M models in BMW's range, the price is expected to include a 2-year / unlimited-kilometre warranty and a 5-year / 100 000 km maintenance plan.
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