Ulrich Brunkhe, the head of BMW's M performance division, announced last week that the next-generation M3 will be unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in September of 2007, ahead of a 2008 global launch.
Very little is currently known about the car other than that its engine, based on the 5.0L V10 engine found in the M5 and M6, will be a V8 of some sort. Given the M-divisions insistence on outputs of over 100hp/liter of displacement, and a likely power output of at least 400hp in order to keep up with the competition, the displacement is likely to be at least 4 liters. The M3’s main competitors are the Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG and Audi RS4. The RS4 is powered by a 420hp V8 while the C55 is powered 360hp V8, though it is believed that it will be replaced shortly by a C63 model equipped with the same 510hp 6.2L V8 found in the latest generation of AMG vehicles.
Brukhe dismissed the possible 510hp C63, saying that "we are much more than just the biggest engine in every car," referring mainly to BMW's famous handling and performance dynamics that have kept the 3-series and M3 as class-leaders for a decade and a half.
The transmission is expected to be a second-generation version of the seven-speed SMG found in the M5 and M6, though a 6-speed manual gearbox will be offered for a few markets, including North America.
Our take? While the question, "what are they waiting for?" is fair to ask, it is clear that BMW is taking its time with this car for a reason. The availability of a standard 6-speed will be good news for those who refuse to buy anything with less than 3 pedals.