The new 2022 BMW M3 has arrived, and while the styling is controversial, to say the least, there's no denying that it's a dream to drive. Unlike most modern sports cars, the new BMW M3 and M4 are available with a six-speed manual transmission.

The more powerful Competition variants are equipped with an eight-speed automatic, but the manual offers a more engaging driving experience. If you can row your own gears fast enough, BMW claims the standard M3 will sprint from 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds and max out at 155 mph or 180 mph with the optional M Driver's package.

To put this claim to the test, AutoTopNL took the M3 for a high-speed run on the German autobahn. While most photos and videos of the M3 have shown the car finished in the new Isle of Man Green Metallic, this one is finished in bronze. Before entering the autobahn, we get to see the M3 undergo some real-world acceleration tests to find out how it performs.

With launch control activated, the M3 smashes 0-62 mph in 4.4 seconds according to the data recorder. That's a few tenths of a second slower than BMW's official specifications, but the test was done on a public road and the driver experienced some wheelspin. Impressively, it's still doing 65 mph in second gear. The upcoming all-wheel-drive M3 will offer even brisker acceleration, as BMW claims the extra traction will reduce the 0-60 mph time to 3.4 seconds.

During the high-speed test, 62-124 mph takes 9.23 seconds and 124-155 mph takes 10.04 seconds. When it's time for the M3 to stretch its legs on the autobahn, the sports sedan easily maxes out at 180 mph. Mercifully, the video doesn't have any voiceovers, allowing us to hear the M3's aggressive-sounding 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six roar.

In the standard M3, this unit sends 473 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels, while the range-topping Competition model has an increased output of 503 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. The 2021 BMW M3 is on sale now, with pricing starting at $69,900 for the standard model and $72,800 for the Competition.