According to an interview with BMW North America’s M Manager, Matt Russell, the next-gen M3 will not debut until next year. That’s because production of the current E92/E93 Coupé and Convertible will remain active for all of 2012. That makes it virtually impossible for the F80/F82 M3 Sedan and Coupé to be released for sale before mid-late 2013.
Russell also seemed to pour cold water over previous reports suggesting BMW would introduce an all-wheel drive F10 M5. “Some people have a concern that we’re going to run into traction problems as horsepower number continues to go up and up. But this car just did a 3.7 second 0-60mph for Car and Driver on dusty Spanish roads so clearly it doesn’t have much of a traction problem,” said Russell.
“I think once we get the car tested stateside, it’ll go even faster. So we’re running out of reasons to do AWD. We’re in no rush to put AWD on M cars.”
Other topics covered include discussion on the US allocation of the 1M, the introduction of an M6 and also a very brief comment on the introduction of diesel-powered M product going on sale in the US. Follow the source link to read the full interview.
[Source: Bimmerpost]
5 replies on “BMW F80 M3 still more than 12 months away”
That’s almost enough time for a Baja buid.
When we going to see details about the M4 and M2!?
M2 will be a while away yet, but just read F82 M3 as M4.
Until we start seeing the M4 badge as an everyday thing, I think M3 will still be the catch all term used.
Townsend doesn’t know when he is on a losing bet.
Anyway Lima, have you heard about the M3 pure edition 2 to celebrate 40th anniversary of M? Nice colours such as Laguna Seca blue, santorini blue, fire orange etc are all available! Hmmmm…
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