We've heard for a while that the next-generation BMW M3 will lose its 4.0-liter V8. In fact, back in July, AutoExpress claimed that the next M3 would feature three turbochargers. Not so, says Autocar. Instead, the Brits claim that "insiders" tell them that the high-performance 3 Series will feature a twin-turbo inline-six. This mill reportedly will be all-new, and not based off the N54 twin-turbo or the N55 twin-scroll engine.

But while the two British mags disagree about the number of turbos under the M3's bonnet, the consensus is that power will be increased to 450 horsepower. What's more, the next M3 mill will boast significantly more torque, up from 295 pound-feet in the current generation to somewhere in the vicinity of 400 lb-ft.

We don't know about you, but 450 hp and 400 lb-ft sounds mighty fine to us. We're trying to table that enthusiasm for now, though, so we'll keep this information in the rumormill category for now. After all, the next M3 probably won't hit newsstands until the 2014 model year.Next M3 will get new twin-turbo six-cylinder originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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