A leaked image of what appears to be the upcoming new BMW M3, chassis code G80, has appeared online via Evolve Automotive's Facebook and Instagram accounts. It looks like a pre-production car due to the small exhaust tips and the body-colored rear diffuser. It probably comes from a BMW preparation facility and gives us a good idea of what to expect of the new M3's rear end. We're also interested to see what BMW enthusiasts make of it as each M3 is inevitably and harshly judged on its predecessors.

Along with its appearance, the next-generation M3 will be judged on its drivetrain and mainly the fact it will be the first BMW M3 to come with all-wheel-drive. Fear not though purists, it looks like the base model is to be offered with rear-wheel-drive and a manual transmission. The hardcore Competition trim is expected to come in all-wheel-drive only though, but it will likely be able to be switched to rear-wheel-drive like the current M5.

We also know from spy photos that it will come with BMW's insistence that people want massive kidney grills at the front. The official unveiling is expected to come early in 2021.

We also know for sure that the G80 BMW M3 will come with the new S58 engine which, like the Supra's B58 engine and the classic Supra's 2JZ variant, is a closed-deck engine. Unlike the B58 engine though, the S58 is a twin-turbo unit rather than a single twin-scroll turbo. Closed-deck engines are traditionally stronger than standard designs, and the S58 also has a forged crankshaft so we can expect some gratuitously ballistic G80 M3s in the future. What also interests us there is the possibility of a Supra further down the line with the S58 engine in it from the factory, although BMW might want to keep this one in the immediate family.