It's official: Upcoming BMW M3 to get V8 power
BMW has officially announced that the upcoming M3, the high-performance version of the 3-series coupe, will be powered by a V8 engine. This is a first; past M3s have always been powered by inline six-cylinder engines.
The new V8 is a 4.0 liter unit with BMW's double-VANOS variable valve timing and an 8,300 RPM redline. European-market specifications are 420 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, the latter peaking at 3,900 RPM. (US specs have not been announced and could differ.) Compare that to last year's M3, which had a 3.2 liter inline six that put out 333 hp and 262 lb-ft.
BMW will reveal the production version of the M3 at the Frankfurt motor show in September.
So what do you think of the switch -- will a V8 make the M3 better, or should they stay with the traditional six-cylinder layout? Click the "comments" link below and share your thoughts. -- Aaron Gold
UPDATE: My bad! The first M3 was powered by a four-cylinder engine. M3s went to six-cylinders in 1992. Thanks, Jay, for pointing this out.
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…always an inline 6 ?!?
(unless it was the FIRST M3 with a turbo 4)
I think it’s wise for them to move to an 8 banger. A lot of competition these days in the ~300 HP range for $30-40k. They needed to up the ante for the M3 to keep it a more exclusive car, and using a V8 will let them do that without pushing a 6 cylinder harder than their warranties may like.
I guess it’s a positive thing since the consumer will (should) see better reliability from a 420 HP V8 than a hard driven I6. I’m a little surprised at the low torque numbers from a V8, but it’s probably due to the small pistons?
Jay — You’re right — thanks for pointing this out! I updated the blog entry.
Undoubtedly the performance will be better with the V8, greater horsepower and smoother torque curve. “There is no replacement for displacement.” However, I wonder about additional costs both upfront and in maintenance for the V8.
The V8 is an interesting move. V8s can be lighter than a straight six. The torque isn’t bad at all. Better than the old six and it is a four liter engine with a 8,300 RPM red line after all.
Now if they just set the price at $22,000
I wouldn’t assume the new V8 will be more reliable than the outgoing S54 I6 on the e46 M3. The specific output of the new engine will top 100bhp/liter like its predecessor– definitely not a “relaxed”, more reliable design. Plus it will be an oversquare design maximizing high-rpm output.
The M3’s main competitor, the RS4, has a V8 and puts out 420hp and 317lb feet so BMW had to at least stay even.
BMW has reached the limitations of 6 cylinders. That is why they are upping to 8 cylinders. The only way that they can go with more horsepower and tourque with a 6 is to go very aggressive on cams, or with forced induction. Either of these options would make the engine less reliable for what they are trying to achieve. I like turbos and Superchargers but BMW decided not to go this route. I don’t mind a V8 as long as the weight is kept under control.
Not only is the V8 more powerful, but it weighs 63lbs. less than the six, and because its shorter it can be placed more rearward in the chassis … all good stuff!!
The 8 cylinder thing sounds good in theory but is it economical and will it need to be run on alternative fuels someday soon?More cylinders always means more cost. To stay competitive that may be an issue.
This makes sense and if you’re an ALMS fan, you may have seen this coming. The M3s that PTG was racing last year just weren’t competitive to Ferrari and Porsche. Hopefully a bigger motor may indicate a return to racing in the ALMS for BMW. My fingers are crossed!!!
Now They need to update the base 3 series to keep pace with g35 from infiniti, and the upcoming “Skyline”.
The M3 is a performance vehicle, so yeah a V8 is reasonable.
best engines from BMW have ALWAYS been straight 6’s. Have had 3 BMW V8s and 10 6’s and was never impressed with the 8 cylinder other than needing mucho gas.
Can agree with bmw on the v8, even though straight sixes has been m3s trademark, keeping the engine naturally aspirated is the most important.
V8 does not tend to be lighter than I6 by the way and sure as hell itīs the weight saving program that made it lighter than the previous. And guy manly, read that was to keep the drivetrain light and yes, it is because of light pistons and a remarkably light crankshaft (20kg)
Is it really necessary to have more power in each new m3? i think it will be easier to compare an e39 m5 with the e92 m3. It’s just not m3-like anymore, and as much people say, the l6-es sound much and much better than a v8.
I think we can say that the kind of people buying the new m3 are not the people who were buying the e30 or e36, and even partly the e46,especially in Europe.
Is it necessary to compete with other cars that way (can we actually call it like that?) It’s obviously easy to get more power by fitting a bigger engine, but what’s the goal when doing that? If you like more power, get an m5…(and let the m3 be an m3)
I’m asking myself what the power will be of the m3 after the e92, and where it will end.