BMW M3

After a two-year hiatus, the current generation BMW M3 was released as a completely new vehicle on a new platform for the 2021 model year. The standard M3 sedan uses a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine rated at 473 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. Engine power is passed to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission.

The M3 Competition model uses the same engine boosted to 503 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, powering the rear wheels through an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. The M3 Competition xDrive model adds all-wheel drive and a 20-horsepower boost to 523 hp in 2025. The peak performance-oriented M3 CS, only available in 2024, delivers 543 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque through an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

Inside, current-generation M3 cars began with a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system that grew to 14.9 inches for 2023. All current-generation M3s have a Harman Kardon® audio system, sport seats, and an available wireless charging pad.

BMW has been making the M3 sedan since the 1980s, and by the fifth generation this model was legendary. In this generation, the M3 was powered by a twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine rated at 425 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. Engine power was passed to the rear wheels through the buyer’s choice of the standard six-speed manual or optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The engine is not the only sport-modified part of an M3 compared to the standard BMW 3 Series sedans. The transmission, suspension, and braking systems are also upgraded for high performance, while a wider track and carbon-fiber roof accompany exterior styling tweaks. However, the interior is largely the same as the standard 3 Series. An infotainment screen on the dashboard is controlled through a rotary dial on the console using BMW’s iDrive system. Audio is provided through a Harman Kardon® system, and some advanced driver-assistance features were available as options, including automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, and lane departure warning.