Now that the all-new BMW 3 Series has broken cover, we’re anxiously waiting for the brand new M3 to arrive. Chances are BMW’s new high-performance super-sedan will make its world debut at the 2019 Frankfurt Auto Show in September, exactly one year after the regular sedan was unveiled. To whet our appetite, new information about the new G80 M3 and G82 M4 coupe has been uncovered by Bimmerpost, and it’s good news for fans of BMW’s M-badged cars.
According to the post, both models will be available with manual gearboxes. While the post doesn’t specify if this will be an option in the US, it gives us renewed hope the new M3 will let American enthusiasts row their own gears after the automaker confirmed the regular 3 Series will only be sold with an eight-speed sport automatic in the US.
The forum also hints the new M3 and M4 will be available with RWD or BMW’s xDrive AWD system. This will mark the first time in years BMW has let consumers decide these options according to their budget. Curiously, the forum also claims there will be two different performance trims available at launch including hardcore Competition models.
According to Bimmerpost, the new Competition Packages will be radically different compared to the old models, but no further details were provided.
The G83 M4 Cabrio, on the other hand, will only be available as a single model with a choice of transmissions according to Bimmerpost. Traditionally, BMW’s Competition Packages are released several months after the standard M car adding new M Performance parts and mechanical tweaks. It makes sense, however, when you look at the competition - launching both models at the same time will allow BMW to directly compete with the Mercedes-AMG C63 and C63 S.
