CONFIRMED! Next-gen BMW M3 Gets WAY More Power, AWD And A Couple Other Bonuses

The BMW M3 — now M4 — has long been considered the benchmark when it came to relatively affordable high-performance sport sedans that can be daily driven. In terms of usability, the M3/M4 are still quite high on the list.

Sure, the all-new C8 Chevrolet Corvette is wicked fast but you can't transport a family in it with a household's worth of groceries, can you?

Having said that, we've been eagerly anticipating confirmation from BMW just how insane the next-gen product will be. Well, we finally got word.

CAR magazine spoke with the M division's boss, Markus Flasch, who has said the following:

'The next BMW M3 will have the brand new S58 engine that we're launching in the X3 M and X4 M,' he told us in an interview for the August 2019 issue. 'It will have 480bhp in the standard version and 510bhp in the Competition version.

'Drivetrain-wise, think about the M5's all-wheel drive system - we are able to put it in the M3 as well. It'll be very similar. But we will also do rear-wheel drive cars, purer ones too and a manual stick shift...'

If you're a BMW fan, well, then this is excellent news. But the most important bits are at the end. NOTE: "...we will also do rear-wheel drive cars, purer ones too and a manual stick shift."

Clearly, BMW hasn't abandoned everything. Not yet, at least.

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CANADIANCOMMENTS - 8/3/2019 12:03:25 PM

+1 Boost

The fact that a new "M" engine is being launched in a CUV says it all and shows just how far BMW has strayed from the path.

Car4life1 - 8/3/2019 2:08:41 PM

+4 Boost

Yea I’d probably just take the Vette and still have money left over to get the original M5,when Bimmer found their way, If I needed the extra seats so bad

jeffgall - 8/4/2019 9:29:08 AM

0 Boost

If putting the M engine in an SUV reduces costs across all models, I’ll take the benefit off the idiots who buy a high performance SUV.

MDarringer - 8/3/2019 12:15:25 PM

+1 Boost

I cannot help but think that going in the simple direction of the 2002 would be more compelling.

PUGPROUD - 8/3/2019 1:05:30 PM

0 Boost

When BMW doesn't know where its going (cancelling Z4 and 8 series coupes and convertibles which it just introduced and the 2 coupe) it will still be lost when it gets there!

skytop - 8/3/2019 1:11:22 PM

0 Boost

The New M3, M4 looks 98% the same as the old outgoing M3, M4. Is that BMW's secret of success?

Lovesponge76 - 8/3/2019 1:25:34 PM

+1 Boost

Will sound like a person farting a large can?

MDarringer - 8/3/2019 3:24:19 PM

0 Boost

yes it will

jeffgall - 8/4/2019 9:32:27 AM

0 Boost

So to get a manual, I have to suffer by not getting more power and probably other features. They should reward the manual purists by giving them a special version with the performance parts.

Also, probably not a purist move, but for me in the Northeast, a manual with X-drive would be my choice.

JRobUSC - 8/5/2019 3:15:26 PM

+1 Boost

then your choices are a Subaru, or... a used car, I guess. Not sure if anyone other than Subaru makes performance minded AWD sticks anymore.

jeffgall - 8/6/2019 10:30:45 AM

+1 Boost

I know. It’s a shame. Audi used to be in the game, but that is gone. Only other option is a Wrangler ;)

carloslassiter - 8/5/2019 7:34:02 AM

+1 Boost

They should reward the manual purists by giving them a special version with the performance parts.

— jeffgall
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You do realize they are running a business, right?

jeffgall - 8/6/2019 10:32:04 AM

+1 Boost

I get it, but let’s not mask the situation for automatics due to better track time. The reality is the American consumer does not want a manual and they are meeting those demands.

At this point, I’d pay a premium to have a manual.