MMM! Latest M3 breaks cover

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

BMW teased the motoring world at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year by displaying a mock-up of the eagerly awaited M3 model.

Design details were sketchy, so show-goers could only visualise how the high-performance car would ultimately look.

Now the world knows - the first official pictures of the new M3 were released in New Zealand only 48 hours ago.

BMW is keeping much of the car's details to itself, until after it unveils it at next month's Geneva Motor Show. But its publicity people will swing into action after that, packaging with words and pictures everything about the car.

The car's front spoiler, large cooling air inlets and power domes on the bonnet leads to BMW describing the new M3 as "powerful, wide-tracked and elegant."

BMW has developed a new 3.4-litre in-line six-cylinder engine for the latest M3, increasing power output to 252kW, or 16kW more than the current model.

A new six-speed gearbox will channel power to the rear wheels via a differential lock.

The new model will go on sale in Europe before Christmas and right-hand-drive production will begin in the New Year.

The New Zealand spec model is expected to appear here in the first quarter of 2001. BMW New Zealand marketing manager Mark Gilbert said the M3 would be highly sought-after.

"The interior will be larger for a start and although it's a two-door coupe it will seat four adults in comfort," he said.

"It will be a brilliant vehicle, typical of M3 development, and priced to be competitive."

The BMW has ceased production of the current M3, the second-generation model, after more than 70,000 cars.

It has been the most popular M3 to date and was launched in 1992 with a 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder engine that produced 210kW and pioneered the use of BMW's double Vanos variable camshaft system.

In 1995, the car received a facelift and the engine was increased in size to 3.2-litres, which boosted output to 236kW. A year later the car received a six-speed gearbox.