2020 BMW G80 M3

[ICM 22.293]

https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/spy-shots/bmw/new-2020-bmw-m3-codenamed-g80-revealed/

The new 2020 BMW M3 development programme is stepping up a gear and our spy photographers have now caught the fast four-door codenamed G80 on winter test in Sweden. It's our best chance yet to see the sports saloon ahead of its expected world debut in autumn 2019.

Our latest spy pictures reveal the larger-than-life brake discs, traditional M division quad-tailpipe exhausts and other go-faster paraphernalia familiar from five earlier generations of M3. And if you want to see what the 2020 M3 will look like shorn of its disguise, check out our artist's impressions below. Read on our full, detailed scoop dossier on the G80 M3.

New BMW M3: the background

So many questions. Will the next M3 be little more or less than a cut-price, downsized M5? Can the next M4 in its standard form hope to eclipse the bells-and-whistles GTS version of the current car? And can the most important M car BMW makes get back to being the best compact sports saloon/coupe money can buy, without caveat?

In autumn 2018, BMW will introduce the all-new 3-series saloon, code G20, followed in 2019 by the Touring (G21) and in 2020 by the 4-series coupe and convertible (G22/23). Of these four bodystyles, three will receive the full M treatment. Why no M4 Gran Coupe? Because the next Gran Coupe will be electric.

While previous M3s have been powered by a mixed bag of engines, from lightweight and punchy 2.0-litre four (E30) to a 4.0-litre V8 (E90/E92), the next version, due 2020, remains faithful to the twin-turbo 3.0-litre found in the current car. The power output of the next-gen base car is said to equal that of the limited-edition M4 GTS, which musters 493bhp at 6250rpm and 442lb ft at 4000rpm.

It thus eclipses the 444bhp twin-turbo V6 in the new Audi RS5, matches the Mercedes C63 S AMG and will give the 592bhp Jaguar XE Project 8 – of which only 300 units will be built, remember – a good run for its money. And that’s even before the hotter CS and GTS versions enter the arena...

New 2019 BMW 3-series scooped: everything you need to know about the next Three

Sixth-generation BMW M3: the engineering secrets of G80

The sixth-generation M3/M4 will be distanced from the bigger M5 while at the same time drawing inspiration from it, with BMW likely adding optional on-demand all-wheel drive. Four driven wheels will make it easier and safer to tap into more of the six’s power, more of the time, its output boosted by a 48-volt mild hybrid system, electrically spooled turbos (as used to great effect on the Bentayga/SQ7’s TDI V8) and the GTS’s water-injection system.

Among the development goals are a reduction in weight, a more pragmatic balance between low drag and high downforce, greater traction – especially in the wet – a more efficient drivetrain and a more intuitive infotainment4 system. Dubbed iD7, the new set-up features no fewer than three interactive displays.

While the M3/M4’s carbonfibre peaked with the current £122k (!) M4 GTS, the future will bring increased use of aluminium and composite materials. M Division has its heart set on the new architecture that’ll offer a dynamic 50:50 weight distribution and improved torsional stiffness together with reduced weight.

While the M3 (G80) retains four doors and five seats, the rear bench will again be a delete option for the future M4 GTS. Like Porsche, BMW intends to offer three types of seats, from lightweight fixed-back carbonfibre buckets through conventional sports seats to fully adjustable comfort seats.

Prices, specs of new 2020 BMW M3

Even though the list price is due to jump to close to £68k (the current M4 Competition Package costs £60,055), the new M3/M4 won’t be offered with such high-tech goodies as switchable anti-roll bars, air suspension, rear-wheel steering or active aerodynamics.

It does, however, seem safe to expect a somewhat less complex version of the all-wheel drive pioneered by the 2018 M5 as an option, an infinitely-variable electrically-operated side-to-side locking diff, variable-rate and variable-effort electrically-assisted steering, adaptive dampers and a lightweight brake-by-wire system with four individual electric actuators.

In line with the future M5, the smaller M models are to abandon the current seven-speed dual-clutch transmission in favour of an eight-speed auto offering a choice of shift speed and shift patterns. As with the engine, steering and dampers, the gearbox can be tweaked via the driving experience selector. If the manual six-speeder survives , it will do so only in the rear-drive models.

48-volt electrics, water injection and other tech highlights

Thanks to turbocharging, increasing power is no longer rocket science – but durability, fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions all pose tough challenges. In the case of the new S58B30 M3/M4 engine, BMW’s targets require substantial modifications. These will include a particulate filter, a 48-volt electrical system, mild hybridisation, a coasting mode in its most eco setting, a start/stop system that will cut the engine significantly earlier and the water injection first introduced in the M4 GTS.

When pushed, the ECU activates three pairs of water injectors which spray small amounts of water into the intake plenum, thereby reducing the temperature during the compression phase, keeping knock (pre-detonation) at bay. Mid-term, BMW intends to extend this on-demand temperature control device to the intercooler. In any case, the new engine can sustain higher boost pressures than the current unit, so the near-500bhp envisioned for the mainstay products is definitely not the end of the road. 

In terms of character, the next M3/M4 won’t be as sharp-edged, harsh-riding or aggressive as the current car. Instead, a more compliant and cohesive suspension set-up is claimed to provide superior control at the limit, boosting confidence. Compared with the current Competition cars, the future calibration is less nervous, more transparent and better balanced overall – all of which is good news.

And although M Division’s engineers are determined to take out weight, they must first compensate for the extra kilos brought onboard by the water injection, the heavier 19in and 20in wheels and tyres and the standard-fit aero kit, which includes bigger ducts and deflectors.

The next BMW 3-series: bigger, better... and maybe an M3 Touring?

In addition to the M-specific tweaks, the future M3/M4 will benefit from changes made to the volume 3-series models (scooped above). Among them are a more stable aero balance, wider track, a longer wheelbase, a lower centre of gravity and more user-friendly ergonomics. As for design, expect greater differentiation and more extrovert looks. The biggest changes will be made to the M4 convertible (G83), which switches from the bulky retractable hardtop to a power-operated fabric top.

Rumours of a stripped-out speedster and an M3 Touring remain just that, but the M4 (G82) will be differentiated from the stealth saloon using bespoke body panels and racy cabin trim. Rest assured both will have been developed with one key objective: to once again deliver an M3 that makes the Porsche 911 feel a little pointless.

[Greg 2.940]

Nope

[ICM 22.293]

Britse platen

 

[Thebiemerke 4.953]

[Ian 511]

Meh..

[Le Capri Mauve 909]

Waterkoeling in de inlaat, een manier om kloppen te verminderen , misschien om compressieverhouding te verbeteren?

Die electrische turbos zijn interessant.  Geen lag denk ik.

[dragonfly 12.936]

1 uur geleden, Le Capri Mauve zei:

Die electrische turbos zijn interessant.  Geen lag denk ik.

Lag was nu ook al weg in sport+ hoor. Zal dus voor iets anders zijn  

[Le Capri Mauve 909]

Wacht es, wat doet het electrisch gedeelte nu?  Als ik dit artikel snap zou het een (uitlaatgas-aangedreven)turbo zijn aangevuld met een electrische supercharger ,met  een soort electrische antilag dus. Veel minder stroomverbruik dan een volledig electrische compressor die de turbo vervangt.

20 februari 2018 aangepast door Le Capri Mauve

[William Blake 2.668]

1 uur geleden, dragonfly zei:

Lag was nu ook al weg in sport+ hoor. Zal dus voor iets anders zijn  

Ook aan 1500 rpm?

 

[ir_fuel 51.977]

11 minutes ago, William Blake said:

Ook aan 1500 rpm?

 

Wschl niet, maar is dat relevant?

[dragonfly 12.936]

25 minuten geleden, William Blake zei:

Ook aan 1500 rpm?

Durf ik niet zeggen maar ICM zal dat wel weten. Niet zoveel gebruikt want spel stond dan veel te hevig en kan ook niet gezond zijn voor je turbo op lange termijn

[Salokin 8.215]

14 uren geleden, ICM zei:

Britse platen

 

Je zal er ongetwijfeld flitsend mee uitzien.

[ICM 22.293]

33 minutes ago, Salokin said:

Je zal er ongetwijfeld flitsend mee uitzien.

Verdienstelijk!

 

[Jenkins 1.993]

Dat ze die rode streep tussen de achterlichten maar aan Porsche laten. Hier lijkt het nergens op, imo. Op de camopics is het er dan weer niet (of afgeplakt, uiteraard). 

[Stancke 3.992]

47 minuten geleden, J3nkins zei:

Dat ze die rode streep tussen de achterlichten maar aan Porsche laten. Hier lijkt het nergens op, imo. Op de camopics is het er dan weer niet (of afgeplakt, uiteraard). 

Zal er imo niet komen met de productieversie.

[Lotuzzz 15.217]

Standaard een matzwart plastieken biesje, optioneel of in Luxury line chrome, Sportline zwart hoogglans, M-pack geborsteld alu of koetswerkkleur.

Bij de M een ledstrip en bij de LCI ook voor de gewone modellen indien je de adaptieve leds pakt.

[Lotuzzz 15.217]

Effe serieus: Er zit wat Alfa in die render, which is nice!

[RRD 9.051]

Zijn gewoon de achterlichten van een Giulia toch? Erg slechte render imo.

[bt. 6.545]

Liever deze richting (render) uit, als je het mij vraagt: http://www.autobild.de/artikel/bmw-3er-g20-2018-cockpit-motoren-erlkoenig-7071611.html

[Ian 511]

Liever deze richting (render) uit, als je het mij vraagt: http://www.autobild.de/artikel/bmw-3er-g20-2018-cockpit-motoren-erlkoenig-7071611.html

Ziet er al iets beter uit.