The G80 M3
In the past it’s always been exciting to see what the next M3 generation will be. See what we can dream of getting someday. We get glimpses of spy shots and people create renders with predictions of what it will look like. Typically when it’s finally revealed the majority of people are ecstatic and express their desire to obtain one as soon as they’re available. Of course there’s always a few who aren’t digging it immediately and it just takes some time for the new design to grow on them. This time however, I would say the majority of the people strongly dislike it… and for good reason.
This design is by far the worst iteration of the M3 to date. The entire design department responsible for this should leave and go to another company where they can do this goofy shit at. Not only did they bastardize the lineage, they don’t seem to understand how to properly design cars in general.
BMW’s have always had superb details, beautiful body lines, and innovative ideas. The G80/82 looks like a hodge-podge mess created by assigning one designer per panel without being allowed to look at any other area and just threw it all together at the end. They tried too hard to do something different. It wasn’t even that different… it was more like fitting in with the current fad. Instead of setting the trend they followed it. Way to set yourself apart from Audi, Lexus, and Hyundai with the huge grills. It seems like they’ve gotten lazy and decided to market with flashy BS instead of staying true to their brand. It doesn’t help them in the argument that M stands for Marketing nowadays.
At least the S58 saves the car from being a complete failure. Talk about an awesome engine. Evolving from the B58 which is an excellent performer as well. Instead of BMW’s claimed HP/TQ numbers being to-the-crank, they are actually closer to to-the-wheels measurements. The B58 stock measures in at (around) 380whp and I’m pretty sure that the S58 stock is right around 480whp. It also sounds great, unlike the S55 – which was my only pet peeve about the F80 M3.
And the interior is actually really good. I like the seats a lot. I don’t love the start button on the center console, but I’m sure after driving it often I would get used to the new location. The center console’s hidden compartment feels/operates kind of cheap. The heated wheel button in the bottom middle spoke looks stupid. But yeah, they did a good job with the interior - I’ll give them that.
Anyway, let’s get back to this embarrassing exterior.
The biggest failure was the grills. I get that they’re trying to do something different, but it just doesn’t work. To make it worse, they continued it into the hood. But they didn’t stop there, they had to add a fake air outlet “design” too. If it was for performance reasons ok, maybe I’d be a little more accepting, but it’s obvious that it’s non-functional. And the whole thing looks like a Black Widow hood from a Honda in the 90’s. The transition into the remainder of the hood from the side profile is really bad.
The fake side vent looks like something on a modern Civic. Even though BMW’s side vents have been non-functional since the Z3(?) at least they’ve always looked real. This isn’t my main gripe with them though… BMW’s always had a nice mid-body line. Most of the time it runs through the door handles into the taillights and keeps a nice flow throughout the side of the vehicle. On the G20/G80 they decided it’s no longer necessary, but that’s one of the key design features that I really think needs to remain.
The bottom of the body now has “race car-inspired” gloss black accents which makes the car look higher rather than lower… very race car. The rear arch section looks ridiculous on the side nearest the rear door. The door line being that close to the arch was an amateur decision. They’ve also added a plastic fender flare from an X5 lol. I have no idea wtf they were thinking with the bottom of the rear bumper either. It just protrudes out an extra foot for no reason.
The reasons above in my rant have left me very disappointed with the new M3. I think it’s because these fundamental design elements have been proven to be a successful formula for decades. As a whole, the new design could’ve been pretty good… although I don’t think it was capable of beating the design of the F80 M3. But I think with a couple changes it could’ve easily looked a whole lot better. I decided to take a stab at making these changes without trying to completely change what they did with the new look. I tried to simply improve what was there or bring back some of BMW’s traditional features.
This is my idea for the front… M cars typically have an expressive face. So I continued the top line from the headlights inward to give it an angry look (which the G22 has). The mouth is usually very large or wide with a smaller functional design on each side. I also added in hood lines which run out to the side mirrors, which is another common BMW signature. And what’s an M without a hood bulge? Lame. I then created a grill that gave a base for some of those lines which brings it all together. I think these changes created a more aggressive and wider appearance for the front end. Not to mention, more enjoyable to look at. The one we got looks very narrow and just plain weird. I mean you keep looking at it, but not because it’s beautiful.
For starters on the side of the car, I removed that ridiculous black bottom accent. I gave that ass some liposuction and tried to give the rear arch a little more definition. There’s not much that can be done to fix the area near the door without redoing the line (which was more work than I wanted to do). I brought back the mid body line that goes through the door handles and fixed the alignment for the side vent. I also extended the vent down to give it a more complete look… I don’t love it, but I think that improved it some.
I didn’t really feel like doing much to the rear. It’s not great, but I don’t hate it like the front. It’s kinda squarey for no real reason. The lights look like they belong on a Lexus, but whatever. I removed those stupid Mitsubishi Evo roof fins that made no sense. And there wasn’t an M3 trunk badge in the press photos so I added that on.
I’d be down with the new M3 if it looked more like my version. Unfortunately we gotta live with the one they gave us. I hope it gets fixed for the next generation and BMW realizes that we don’t like their new wacky ideas. We care about sophisticated designs that perfectly blend a sports car with a luxury car with outstanding performance and driving enjoyment.
BMW M3 Sedan:
353 kW/480 hp; acceleration [0 – 100 km/h (62 mph)]: 4.2 seconds; fuel consumption combined: 10.8 l/100 km (26.2 mpg imp); CO2 emissions combined: 248 g/km.
BMW M3 Competition Sedan:
375 kW/510 hp; acceleration [0 – 100 km/h (62 mph)]: 3.9 seconds; fuel consumption combined:10.2 l/100 km (27.7 mpg imp); CO2 emissions combined: 234 g/km.
High-performance cars with authentic allure boast cutting-edge racing-car technology and a character profile in the tradition of the original BMW M3 presented 35 years ago. Market launch from March 2021.
New BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupé with unequivocally performance-focused vehicle concept. Tuning work conducted alongside testing programme for the BMW M4 GT3 racing car. Familiar M blend of dynamism, agility and precision meets everyday usability and long-distance capability.
Extra variety in the powertrain offering. Authentic performance experience in the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupé thanks to six-speed manual gearbox not offered by any rival. BMW M3 Competition Sedan and BMW M4 Competition Coupé with eight-speed M Steptronic transmission. Competition models also available with M xDrive all-wheel-drive system for the first time, est. from summer 2021.
Six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology, high‑revving character, maximum 375 kW/510 hp and up to 650 Nm (479 lb-ft). Two turbochargers, optimised direct injection, cooling and oil supply adapted for track use, model-specific exhaust system with electrically operated flaps for emotionally stirring engine soundtrack.
Model-specific six-speed manual gearbox with Gear Shift Assistant for extremely dynamic driving situations. Latest generation of the eight‑speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic and three shift programs. M xDrive links up with Active M Differential, rear-wheel-biased setup, three selectable modes: 4WD, 4WD Sport and 2WD for pure rear‑wheel drive and deactivated stability control.
Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled shock absorbers and M Servotronic steering with variable ratio are fitted as standard. M‑specific front- and rear-axle modifications. New integrated braking system with two settings for pedal feel and response. M Compound brakes as standard, M Carbon ceramic brakes optional.
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including M Dynamic Mode and, for the first time, integrated wheel slip limitation and M Traction Control adjustable through ten stages.
Forged M light-alloy wheels – front: 18-inch, rear 19-inch (Competition models with M xDrive – front: 19-inch, rear 20-inch). Performance tyres optional.
Extremely stiff body structure and chassis mounting thanks to measures including model-specific bracing elements for the engine compartment, a front axle subframe with aluminium shear panel, underfloor bracing elements and a rear axle subframe with a rigid connection to the body.
Two body variants with their own individual exterior designs and an emotionally engaging aesthetic. BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupé with performance-oriented body features: M-specific version of large, vertical BMW kidney grille, powerfully sculpted wheel arches with eye‑catching M gills, prominent side sill extensions with attachments to the front and rear aprons, carbon-fibre roof with aerodynamically optimised fins, plus rear spoiler and familiar M tailpipe pairs. New, exclusive exterior paint finishes. M Carbon exterior package and BMW M Performance Parts available as options.
Ergonomically optimised sports-car cockpit with M-specific displays and controls. Newly developed M sport seats and fine-grain Merino leather trim with extended features fitted as standard; optionally with seat ventilation. New M Carbon bucket seats with structure-based design available as an option.
M-specific control/operating concept with Setup button for direct access to the settings for the engine, chassis, steering and braking system – and, depending on the model and specification, also M xDrive, Gear Shift Assistant and traction control. Two individually composed overall setups can be activated using M buttons on the steering wheel.
M Mode button enables the intervention thresholds of the driver assistance systems and the displays in the instrument cluster and optional Head-Up Display to be configured individually. ROAD and SPORT settings are available as standard; additional TRACK mode for track driving added when M Drive Professional is specified.
Premiere of M Drive Professional (including M Drift Analyser, M Laptimer and M Traction Control), for a particularly intense performance experience on the race track.
Significantly expanded selection of driver assistance systems. Park Distance Control, Front Collision Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Speed Limit Info fitted as standard. Options include Driving Assistant Professional with Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Active Navigation, Emergency Lane Assistant, Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant, BMW Drive Recorder and BMW Head-Up Display with M-specific displays.
BMW Live Cockpit Professional with fully digital display grouping, BMW Maps navigation system and BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant as standard.
M Race Track Package available for the first time reduces vehicle weight by around 25 kilograms thanks to features including M Carbon ceramic brakes, special M light-alloy wheels and M Carbon bucket seats.