Even though the current BMW M3 has only been on the market for about a year, there are already talks about its successor, and a highly speculative report has appeared in that regard. According to known automotive insider Georg Kacher, who recently spilled some beans about the next BMW 3 Series->ke290 in Automobile Magazine, the new M3 will deliver around 500 horsepower thanks to some pretty advanced technology solutions.

First of all, the engine is expected to remain a twin-turbocharged, inline-six, but with a difference. Its turbochargers may not be connected to the exhaust but take their power from electric motors, like on the Audi RS5 TDI Concept, leaving them to be called electric compressors or superchargers. Second of all, partially previewed by the BMW M4 MotoGP Safety Car, the next M3 may also have a water-injection system, increasing the engine's efficiency.

With the model about five years away, most speculations are obviously to be taken with a pinch of salt, but Georg Kacher has been known to provide accurate information before, and BMW->ke178 did mention that the water-injection system may be used on a production model in the future. As far as the electric superchargers are concerned, we will just have to wait for Audi to introduce it first around 2016, and see how it goes. I have a feeling that this technology will do wonders in the BMW M3 or any other turbocharged sports car.->ke506

Continue reading to learn more about the next BMW M3.

Why it matters

When BMW made it clear that the M3 will no longer have a V-8 engine, many frowned at the thought, but the real hysteria started when it became apparent that it would switch to a twin-turbocharged six-cylinder, since it many ways that translated into a step backward. I think that at as far as exhaust sound goes, it was a step back, even though BMW tries to make up for it in terms of performance and efficiency.

With the advent of electric superchargers – to be introduced by Audi on diesel engines in 2016 – it is likely that the next M3 will have a much better exhaust sound. The reason for this is will be that the turbochargers will no longer interfere with the flow of exhaust gases and act as mufflers. Hopefully I'm right and BMW engineers haven't forgotten how to make an engine sound great, like the current M3/M4 is so desperately trying to prove via its audio system.

BMW M3