2010 BMW M3 Coupe Spied Testing Sans Camouflage

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Feb 5, 2010
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FOLLOWING SPY PHOTOS of a lightly camouflaged 2010 BMW M3 Convertible published in December, a completely unfettered M3 Coupe has been spied testing in Europe this week.

As with the recently-revealed 2010 3 Series Coupe, the updated M3 bears new LED tail lights. Externally, the styling tweaks appear to end there, with front-end seemingly missing out on the slight updates given to the regular Coupe.

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Improved trim updates are likely to show in the 2010 M3's cabin, along with the new fourth generation iDrive system featured in the recently unveiled 2010 5 Series.

Output from the M3's 4.0 litre V8 is expected to move into 2010 unchanged from current levels, developing 310kW and 400Nm of torque.

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Reports in March suggested that the next-generation M3 - beyond the E90/92/93 bodyshape - will be powered by a twin-turbo six-cylinder, separate from the twin-turbo in-line six featured in the current 335i and 135i.

M division boss Ludwig Willisch told Motor Trend that of the options available, a V6 would offer a more compact arrangement, allowing for better balance.

GALLERY: 2010 BMW M3 Coupe Spy Photos

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Comments

  • Godspeed [reply]
    4 months ago 0 points
    BMW M3 with a V6.... turbo motor.... end of an era and beginning of a new one I'm not sure I like. :(
  • Godspeed [reply]
    4 months ago 0 points
    You're right Mike, it's mostly the Vee configuration of the 6 cylinders I take issue with, which essentially spells the end of the inline-6 for mainstream BMW cars, the engine BMW became famous for. V8s (or even V12s) were only really produced in mass numbers by BMW in the 80s; fours and especially straight sixes are what we associate with the Bayerische Motoren Werke!
  • Godspeed [reply]
    4 months ago 0 points
    Sorry I meant 8s and 12s only mass produced *from* the 80s, not *in* the 80s.

    And fours and sixes are what we traditionally know BMW by. Not these days though perhaps.
  • Bavarian Missile [reply]
    2 months ago 0 points
    Its a huge change leaving the inline 6 in favor of the V6.............its what BMW have been famous for ..................

    It will truly be a sad day when a V6 gets dropped in a BMW engine bay................

    Whats wrong with sticking with the inline 6 ?
  • Wheelnut [reply]
    2 months ago 0 points
    If they do go for a V6; they should go for a Twin-Turbo; because [using the locals as an example] GM-H have to bolt Twin-Turbos to their new V6 in order to produce as much power as Fords old Inline 6 with a single turbo.... Mind you this is BMW we're talking about.
  • Paddy [reply]
    2 months ago 0 points
    Looking at a VW-style twincharger might be an option too. Maybe a tri charger - A crazy supercharger for the low revs and two blowholes for the high revs. Delicious
  • Goran Turner [reply]
    2 months ago 0 points
    A V6 in BME engine bay? Is nothing sacred anymore?
  • Goran Turner [reply]
    2 months ago 0 points
    I meant "... BMW", of course.

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