The G80 BMW M3 was the most controversial M3 ever, but it will soon be usurped. No, not only by the all-electric ZA0 M3, but by the combustion-powered one, which will feature a mild-hybrid powertrain for the first time and may struggle to hang on to the manual transmission. The Autoblog spies are currently camped near the Nürburgring, and they’ve just spotted the next-gen G84 with near-production-ready bodywork, and it’s clear that while the gas M3 will look a lot like the M Vision Neue Klasse concept, it’ll still be different than the electric one.
2028 BMW M3 Getting Unique Styling
Autoblog/SH Proshots
While the electric BMW M3 has a lower fascia with two rectangular intakes with a partition in the center, a vented hood, and a rear diffuser with more rectangular elements, the gas M3 is a little more traditional. A vented hood may still be hiding under the false cladding on this prototype, but the front fascia is considerably different. We expect subtle changes to the kidneys between the headlights, but the lower fascia’s changes are more obvious, with trapezoidal side intakes for cooling the brakes. The central lower intake is partitioned like the trimaran design of the M Vision Neue Klasse concept, but the rear end’s rectangular shapes are less bold, thanks to a gas M car’s traditional, large quad-tipped exits. We can also spot a subtle lip spoiler atop the trunk, while slightly swollen arches swallow up wheels that appear to be lifted directly from the current M3. Obviously, new designs will be introduced for production.
Autoblog/SH Proshots
Behind the wheels, gold-colored brake calipers may suggest carbon-ceramic brakes, but those will surely be optional. We should also mention that both front and rear fenders have under-vinyl cladding, just like the hood and bumpers, so there’s still more evolution to be discovered. Interestingly, the front fenders seem to have a recess in them, so perhaps BMW plans to move from fake fender vent accessories to something that enhances the tops of the wheel wells. Could the M3 get vented fenders, like the Porsche GT3 RS, Mustang GTD, or AMG 646? Time will tell.
2028 BMW M3 Coming with Plenty of Power
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The new M3 is expected to get a refined version of the S58 twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, now with pre-chamber ignition for a cleaner burn, combined with mild electrification. With the current M3 Competition producing up to 503 horsepower and new “base” M3s usually producing even more power than the previous generation’s most extreme version, which, in this case, would be the 523-hp M3 CS (or the 543-hp M4 CSL), and with comparable options from both AMG and Audi Sport vastly exceeding 600 hp, it’s quite possible that the new M3 will play in the same ballpark. Of course, BMW will leave room for power to increase with eventual CS variants, and with only mild electrification, unlike the Audi RS 5 or today’s C 63, the baseline number may be a little lower than some competitors, but how a BMW handles is always more important than outright power figures. It was also the case when BMW made its last seriously significant change by adopting a V8 that was revvy and low in torque compared to the C 63 and RS 4 of the time, and it’ll be the most important factor here, especially given that BMW’s turbocharged engines are highly tunable for those who simply must have more horsepower. With the current M3 ending production after the 2027 model year, the new G84 is expected to be revealed toward the end of next year for the 2028 model year.
Autoblog/SH Proshots
