The non-believers can now put this issue to rest – the new 2020 BMW M3 and M4 models will have a huge kidney grille. Another Instagram leak has just confirmed what we’ve been saying for months now (source here). The new M kidney stretches virtually the entire height of the front and makes visible the enormous air cooling requirement of the engine.
The previously vertical double struts are apparently horizontal, which gives the high-standing kidneys a certain broader effect. While the BMW M4 was expected to follow in the steps of the 4 Series, the G80 BMW M3 might be a surprise to some. In a recent interview with us, BMW head of design, Domagoj Dukec said that some future BMW models will further differentiate themselves from the rest of the lineup.
So the new G80 BMW M3 will fall in this category as well, followed by the G82 M4 and, of course, the G22 4 Series.
With the independent design of the new M kidneys, the BMW M division takes a similar approach like Mercedes-Benz. The AMG sportscar division has been relying for some time on a design called Panamericana Grille, which differentiates the sports models from any series production Benz.
When the G80 BMW M3 debuts in 2020, it will be powered by the same new S58 engine as the BMW X3 M and X4 M. So it will be a 3.0 liter twin-turbocharged I6 engine with 473 hp as-standard. There will also be a competition model available at launch and that will pack the same engine but with 503 hp.
This new G80 BMW M3 will also be the first M3 in history to power all four wheels. According to our sources, there will be two models; a rear-wheel drive model and an all-wheel drive model; marking another first for the famed performance model. The rear-drive M3 will be available with either a manual gearbox or an eight-speed automatic, while the all-wheel drive car will be automatic only.
As we approach 2020, we expect to learn more about the future BMW M models, but we will certainly see them by next Spring.
