2014 BMW M3 homologation completed; Clears way for India launch

The German carmakers are outdoing themselves this year. The ‘who-brings-what-to-India’ race is heating up. The 2014 BMW M3 has completed homologation formalities in India. This news leads us to believe that BMW will be making good on their promise of bringing more of the M Family to India.

Philipp Von Sahr, President BMW Group, India, had on the sidelines of the launch of the BMW M6 Grand Coupe mentioned that they would be bringing more from the M family to India. “BMW always starts with flagships, that's the all new BMW M6 Grand Coupe and there are some more cars coming during this year from the M family. We will do it one after the other.” This is apart from the BMW X5 and the i8 that will be coming to the country soon. However, there is no confirmation from BMW on the launch or the expected date of the new M3.

The M5 facelift and the M4 is expected to make it to our shores soon as well. The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M.

We have seen the M3 here before as a hard-top convertible. It retailed for more than Rs 77.40 lakh and had won quite a few admirers for itself but was discontinued in 2013. What we will get to see soon, will be a sedan version of the car.

BMW had last year revealed the technical specifications of the new engine to be used in the M3. The new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupe from BMW M GmbH sees a return to a six-in-line engine configuration, as used on the second and third generations of this iconic sports car. The new turbocharged unit, which can develop more than 7,500rpm, combines the best of both worlds – on the one hand a high-revving design for instant response, linear power delivery over a wide engine speed range, its unique engine note, and on the other hand BMW TwinPower Turbo technology for maximised torque.

The all-new M3 gets a 3.0-litre BMW M twin-turbo engine ( codenamed S55 B30) producing 425bhp of power and 550Nm of torque with power being sent to the rear wheels via either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The wholesale use of carbon fibre and plastics provide additional weight savings, with the M3 saloon receiving a CFRP (carbon-fibre reinforced plastic) roof for the first time. BMW is also developing the first ceramic brakes seen on an M3.

Seems like the German manufacturer is making sure that the all-new M3 does not lack in any department. Looking at the additions and subtractions BMW has done to keep the car lightweight, trendy and performance-focussed, one can expect the price to be more than a crore easily. If the car will be launched by the year-end, then we can expect some fireworks between the BMW M family and the Mercedes-Benz AMG cars. It will compete with the current Mercedes C63 AMG which sees a model change in early 2015. BMW will be bringing the car via CBU.