The article was originally produced on September 24, 2014, some facts and prices may have changed since then.

BMW M3

Lighter, faster, stronger, leaner and smarter, the BMW M3 has regained its original character plus a lot of new personality traits!

There is no doubt that the time of the turbo engine is now. Virtually all the major car brands use turbo technology in their most powerful sports sedans, and BMW is no exception. The M5 was the first to come out with a twin-turbo V8 engine of 4.2 liters. Now the new M3 is here and it too has received an engine with dual aggregates. The previous generation M3 had a very nice, chubby V8 with 420 horsepower. However, a little of the sporty vein that the previous M3 models stood for disappeared. Instead, it felt quite heavy in its performance compared to its predecessors despite its abundance of power. 

It is not only the engine that is completely new for the new M3. They have also cloned the model a bit and created the M4. The difference between the M3 and M4 is simple, the M3 is a four-door sedan while the M4 is a coupe. This is a development that BMW has allowed its entire model program to undergo, the 1-, 2- and 3-series. Also the 6 Series. All even-numbered models are coupes and odd numbers are sedans or station wagons (the latter in BMW parlance Touring). But in order not to make it too simple, four-door versions of the 4- and 6-Series have also been made, but then they are called Grand Coupé. Also, only the even-numbered models come as convertibles. 

It is obvious that the new M3 has gone on a diet since its predecessor, a whopping 85 kilos. Coupled with the power increase of 11 horses and 150 newton meters in the twin-turbocharged straight six, it is a very playful car to deal with. When you press the start button and the car is cold, it hisses into action in a very agitated manner. The sound coming from the four pipes at the back is a delight for anyone who likes straight six-cylinder engines, this despite the fact that there are now two turbo units installed. The setting options on the car may seem endless at first. At the gear lever are a number of buttons that can completely change the personality, from a softie to a rock-hard racer. To make it a little easier, the steering wheel has been equipped with two M buttons. By pre-programming these, you can change the character of the car with just one push of a button. This is something you really appreciate when you drive, suddenly there is a fun section of road and suddenly the car is converted to hug the curves in the absolute best way. Then maybe you get a call and want the car to be as comfortable as possible and then you press the second M button and the car has been set up again. But the new M3 will never be really comfortable, it has deliberately been given a hard chassis, which you can never completely get away from. 

The positive thing about the new engine of three liters and 431 horses is that it does not draw quite as much soup as its predecessor. However, we are not talking about a car that uses half a liter per mile, rather one liter if you drive really sparingly and don't step on the gas. Something that feels completely impossible in this car. When you plant the gas pedal at the bottom from a standstill, the new M3 accelerates to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds if the seven-speed dual-clutch box is selected. With the six-speed manual box, which is also available, the acceleration is marginally longer, 4.3 seconds. If you compare this with the previous generation M3, the 0-100 sprint was 4.9 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. But those who want can buy an "M Driver's Package" and have the barrier moved forward to 280 km/h. Enough because the new M3 is strong and fast straight ahead. However, it is when it starts to turn that this car really delivers. The steering, which has four different modes, Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport Plus, is incredibly well tuned. You feel every single thing that happens on the road and the control is total. This is a fun-to-drive machine beyond the ordinary. 

The color of the test car is called Yas Marina Blue and refers to the Formula 1 circuit in Abu Dhabi. Together with the white sports seats in leather, with shining M emblems in the backrests, this becomes a real eye magnet in town. The new M3 has not only become lighter, faster, stronger, leaner and smarter. It has also become really beautiful. The main competitors which are the Audi RS4 and the Mercedes C-Class AMG all have different characters. The latter has not been presented yet but is expected to get a turbocharged V8. The Audi, in turn, still has a naturally aspirated V8 engine and four-wheel drive. The question, which feels very certain, is whether or not the M3 will regain the throne as the sportiest of this trio, something it lost with its predecessor.