M3 Sedan

Make
BMW
Segment
Sedan

BMW M's division isn't slowing down. In fact, it's only getting started. Now under the leadership of Marcus Flasch, who took over from Frank van Meel, the performance powerhouse has its test drivers working overtime these days to put the finishing touches on the next M3 sedan and the first-ever M8 Gran Coupe. Both are set for debuts in the relatively near future, and we expect at least one of them to appear in the flesh at the Frankfurt Motor Show next September.

Automotive Mike was on hand recently to capture these two separate videos of M3 and M8 Gran prototypes testing on one of the most grueling tracks anywhere on the planet, the Nurburgring. Both are covered in camouflage but it's not hard to know their true identities. Put it this way: not even BMW M is making a concerted effort to hide them, although their precise styling details remain unknown. But no matter. Both sound incredible and their rumored specs are equally so.

The G80 generation M3 is slated to begin production sometime next year and will come in three performance levels: Pure, Base, and Competition, with 444 hp, 475 hp, and 500 hp, respectively. As we previously reported, the Pure trim will likely have rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual to satisfy – who else – purists. The latter two trims will have standard AWD and an automatic gearbox for faster shift times. Expect and upgraded version of the BMW M's twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six cylinder under the hood.

As for the M8 Gran Coupe, it'll come powered by the same 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 found in the current M5, though it's expected to receive a power bump. Put it like this: the M5 has supercar-like 600 hp. The M8 GC will be the ultimate beast in the lineup. We can hardly wait for both to arrive.