We welcomed our new development car to the fold recently. The brand new 2021 BMW G80 M3 in Sapphire Black.
Still a Twin Turbo straight Six under the bonnet and still rear-wheel drive from its predecessor. However the eight-speed automatic replaces the seven-speed twin clutch with a six-speed manual option only coming with the non-Competition M3 cars, which unfortunately aren’t coming to the UK.
On paper the 2,993cc engine has been largely carried over from the old B58 as the s58 is a development of that, but the crank is taken directly from the M4 GT3 race car. The turbos are new and larger mono-scroll blowers, and the cylinder head is 3D printed enabling it to cope with injection pressures of 350 bar.
The results are that the M3 has been taken over 500bhp for the first time with 510bhp and 650 Nm of torque. However with the slight weight increase of over 150kg more coming in at 1,730kg and the slight power increase, the claimed 0-62 mph is 3.9 seconds.
Inside is the well equipped interior and in addition to the usual suite of driver safety aids is the M Drive Professional which includes a lap timer, driving analysis coach, data recorder and an M Drift analyser to rate your skids. Our specific car was spec’d with the Kyalami Orange and Black Interior, giving it a contrast from the dark black exterior and interior.
Carbon features everywhere from the roof to the interior console, gearshift paddles and steering wheel, obviously the obligatory NVM decal has to be on display and to help you see while driving the LED lights are standard, but if you do have to stop suddenly, then the carbon brakes are 15kg lighter all round despite being bigger, 400mm diameter front discs compared to the previous 380mm. The controversial grill on the G80 has caused a divided opinion and is a marmite affair, you either love it or hate it. But now seeing this in the flesh and having the Saphire Black paintwork, it does make it look very aggressive from the front view.
The rear stance is just as aggressive as the front of the M3, with the 20″ wheels at the back clad in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres in 285 width at the back, and the 19″ front wheels in 275 width adding to the look of the M3.
The M3 version of the 3 series is comprehensively strengthened over the standard model with extra bracing and shear panels to help transmit loads. The engine sits further back in the chassis compared to the previous F80 model.
Now comes the running in process of the car, once that has been completed then we can look into development and get into Dyno running the car for base figures.
Check the reveal on our YouTube channel or the video below…
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