Back in May we first confirmed that the F80 M3 and F82 M4 would be powered by an inline 6 cylinder turbo engine and indeed we've just received these first photos of the next gen M3/M4 engine, with visual proof of the inline cylinder setup.
The F80 M3 / F82 M4 will have some good cooling of the heated air pumping from its turbos, via components such as the air-to-water/liquid intercooler unit (to the right of the engine cover) feeding the cylinders with cooled air. If this setup is anything like in the M5/M6 S63Tu engine, the air is cooled by this unit right before it reaches the cylinders. There appears to be twin intake boxes and the oil cooler bracket looks to be the same as on the N54 and N55 engines.
The photos do not confirm the exact number of turbos, but the two charge pipes feeding the intercooler is a sign that it probably has at least two turbochargers. Whether a third electric turbo (rumored) lies somewhere out of sight remains to be seen.
Expect this engine to output in the ballpark of 450 horsepowers. It's been rumored to be an extensively reworked and reinforced N55 6-cylinder engine with a strengthened aluminium block with a heavily modified cylinder head. The Induction technology is said to be completely new as will be the latest bi-vanos variable valve timing. This engine may also be a reworked/enhanced version of the successor engine to the N55 (which has not yet been introduced).
The F80 M3 will no doubt be the stiffest M3 yet, and the brawny strut tower brace surely contributes to just how tightly the entire car will handle and feel.
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