|
Meanwhile, work continues on other 3 Series variants with a wagon ("touring" in Munich-speak) arriving midway through next year. The largely unloved Compact gets a major refit at Sydney Olympics time. To keep weight down, BMW reportedly will fit the next M3 with thinner glass, doors and lids made of high-strength steel, aluminium suspension and miniaturised auxiliary equipment.
Visually, the M3 remains something of a wolf in sheep's clothing. Styled along the same lines as the new M5, it gets revised front and rear bumpers,
bigger air intakes, twin tail-pipes, fat tyres on 17-inch wheels, integrated driving lights and subtle sill extensions. Engine modifications will raise the
capacity and power output to 3.4 litres and about 275 kW.
The next M3 will have a six-speed manual gearbox or an improved sequential transmission. In the future, gear changes will be triggered by depressing a
paddle or switch on the steering wheel, and the automatic mode will be significantly smoother as well as more responsive.
Initially a coupe, the M3 from early 2001 will come as a convertible. The four-door is tipped to bite the dust, but we may eventually see an M3 touring.
Rick Key
95 ///M3
© 1997 -
2009
Jump Internet Inc. All rights reserved.
