We’ve previously brought you the story (below) outlining engine info on the upcoming BMW M3/M4. BMW has just released its first official video of the G80 M3 a few minutes ago. In the video we learn a bit about the development process as well as take a hot lap around the Nurburgring in the M3. We’ve added it to the bottom of our original engine info story

Read our driving review of the BMW M340i xDrive at this link.

More than one flavour

The upcoming BMW M3 will be available with more than one powertrain option. The company has already confirmed that power is derived from the company’s bullet-proof inline six-cylinder turbocharged motor, known internally as S58. The regular M3/M4 will have 353 kW on tap. In this version, power will be fed to all four wheels via an automatic transmission, much like its bigger sibling the BMW M5. At the very top of the M3/M4 food chain will be a 375 kW (373 kW) version, called the M3 Competition. It will also be an all-wheel-drive automatic version. Both states of tune will have 600 N.m of torque.

An ‘entry-level’ model has been rumoured and is said to have 331 kW, a manual transmission and rear-wheel drive, in keeping with tradition. BMW’s stated this “driver’s” version of the M3/M4, but not its power rating. “We will also do rear-wheel-drive cars, purer ones too and a manual stick shift,” said Markus Flasch who heads up the M Division. Interestingly, BMW will ditch its dual-clutch transmission in favour of an eight-speed torque converter automatic. The xDrive four-wheel drive system will also feature the RWD-only mode as found in the larger BMW M5.

Click here to read our BMW M5 review.

Overkill?

It will be interesting to see if the gamble to offer two drivetrain options will pay off in terms of sales. Are there enough drivers out there willing to compromise on standing start acceleration bragging rights to create two distinct model lines? We suspect that there will be a very small percentage of RWD-only models sold worldwide.