- The next-generation G84 BMW M3 has been spied in Europe.
- Quad exhaust tips confirm the continued existence of combustion power.
- The new M3 is expected to arrive as a hybrid late next year or early 2027.
Over the last few months, Autoblog's spy photographers have sighted the first-ever electric BMW M3 on several occasions, and now they've caught the combustion-powered version of the next-gen sports sedan with similar Neue Klasse styling. Although the camouflage is comprehensive, and although there are numerous details still to be uncovered, the next M3 already looks imposing, and its quad-exit exhaust is a welcome sign for enthusiasts of the straight-six engine. That engine won't be purely assisted by forced induction, however.
Gas-Powered M3 Is Unmistakably Aggressive
SH Proshots/Autoblog
This is the first time we've seen the combustion-powered G84 M3 prototype, and it's very similar to the electric ZA0 M3 test mules we've seen before, with swollen wheel arches and plenty of body cladding to hide the true shapes of body panels like the hood, fenders, and bumpers. That means it's a little presumptuous to guess how this design will turn out, but it appears that the rear diffuser housing those four exhaust tips will be somewhat similar to that of the current G9X M5 (the replacement for which has also already been spied).
Related: Here's Everything We Know About The Electric BMW M3
One thing we can confirm is that flush-fitting door handles will make production, as will cross-drilled brake discs. A subtle lip spoiler on the trunk also seems destined for the finished product, but the taillights seen here are simply placeholders. At the front, the buck-toothed kidney grilles will disappear, replaced by a sleeker, sharper fascia that should help reduce visual height.
Electric Assistance Expected To Be Restrained
SH Proshots/Autoblog
It'll be some time before the Bavarians confirm the powertrain details of this new M3, but all hints point to an electrically assisted take on today's S58 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged straight-six. Better still, this is unlikely to be a plug-in hybrid like the current M5, which means less weight to lug around. We expect well north of 500 horsepower from a 48-volt mild-hybrid setup, but not a manual transmission, and some reports indicate that the M3 may only be available with M xDrive all-wheel drive. While this can act as a rear-drive system, it may add more disappointment for the purist who wants an unadulterated driving experience. Then again, as power and weight go up, more security should be welcomed. All this and more should become clearer over the next year, as this new M3 is expected to debut late in 2026 or early in 2027.