BMW M3 Sedan

On the inside of the M3, things have been kept quite subtle. The overall cabin manages to look understated and sporty at the same time, as the cabin is the same as that of a regular 3-Series, but with the traditional M-touches.

The M3 ditches the boring looking instrument console and the simply styled three-spoke steering wheel of the regular 3-Series for sportier looking steering wheel and full LCD instrument console. The driver-focused hexagonal shaped wide centre console comes straight from the 3-Series and so do the free-standing infotainment system and AC vents and buttons for climate control below it. However, the choice of materials and upholsteries here feel even more up-market, with the M-lettering at places in the cabin reminding you that it is not a regular 3-Series.

What the M3 also successfully manages to retain is the practical and usable space inside the cabin. With the same level of legroom, headroom, knee room, shoulder room and boot space as the regular 3-Series, the M3 manages to be a practical saloon, even if you are in the back seat.

From a distance, the M3 can be easily mistaken for a 3-Series sedan by a layman. However, a closer introspection reveals the careful detailing which BMW has carried for the M3.

The front fascia of the M3 has been borrowed from the 3-Series sedan. However, the twin-kidney grille here is blackened and front bumper comes with sportier looking air dams. Like the 3-Series, the grille is flanked with very sleek looking Bi-LED headlamps.

The side profile of the M3 too has a couple of minute details which separate it from the 3 Series. The rear view mirrors on the outside have the typical M-touch by having winglets on the inner edges. At the same time, the lower ground clearance and bigger wheels with thinner profile tyres accentuate its sporty aura. The design for the side doors with the character lines has been kept intact from the regular 3-Series.

At the rear, the tail lamps have been shared with the 3-Series sedan, however, the like at the front, the rear bumper too manages to look much sportier, thanks to a revision in the design of them.

As with the tradition, BMW has picked up the subtle 3-Series and has made the driving dynamics of the M3 even sharper, thanks to the usage of light-weight components. Apart from the three different modes – Comfort, Sport, and Sport+ for the suspension, the M3 also features Adaptive M suspension, the Active M Differential and M Servotronic, which pushes the benchmark even further.

BMW has picked up the top-spec 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine from the top-of-the-line 3-Series and has managed to make it even juicier in terms of straight-line performance. The engine, here in the M3, manages to pump out a maximum power output of 450 PS and a peak torque of 550 Nm. The engine here is mated to a 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, and has its own characteristic snarl from the exhaust, making it an aural pleasure.

Apart from the powertrain and basic platform, the M3 also shares the list of safety features with the 3-Series sedan. The M3 comes equipped with features such as six airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, cornering brake control, dynamic traction control, and hill start assist.

The BMW M3 has always been a magical blend of practicality and outright sportiness in one single package, and the current generation version doesn’t disappoint on that front. The subtle cosmetic inclusions over the regular 3-Series have successfully managed to change the overall visual appeal. And the evergreen blistering levels of performance and driving dynamics make sure that the M3 still manages to be one of the finest driver’s cars on this planet.