More Next Gen F80 M3 Details Reveled - Interior Spied

BMW has been cavalier with the latest next generation F80 test mules. We get a peak at completely uncovered M3 sedan interior thanks to some quick work by the spy photographers at Auto Evolution. This comes on the heals of BMW leaving very little to the imagination on the M3 front bumper design.

If you're currently driving an F30 3 series sedan you'll see a very familiar interior. There are so few changes I suspect this is still a cobbled together test mule that doesn't have all the M parts yet. What we can see is the M5/M6 steering wheel, which is a great wheel, and the corresponding M DCT shifter that also looks to be lifted from the M5/M6. The door panel and seat have some extra treatment, but appear to be cloth. Notably missing is an M specific gauge cluster, special dash trim and seats. These will of course be added before production, again leading me to believe this is not the complete interior and BMW M was working with what they had in the F30 parts bin.

The F80 M3 when finished will boast an impressive 80% or great parts differentiation from the F30 3 series, hence BMW giving the 2014/2015 M3 its own chassis code. Under the hood we expect a inline six cylinder twin turbo, based off the N54 but with an increased displacement, greater performance and of course a better HPFP.

With the recent flurry of F80 M3 details being spied it begs the question. Will BMW be rolling the F80 M3 out sooner then expected? Traditional timelines suggest we shouldn't see the next M3 until 2014 as a 2015 model but with the amount of spy pictures and detailed being gleaned from them it is very possible BMW intends to put the F80 M3 on sale in 2013 as a 2014 and a full year ahead of the 4 series derived M4 coupe. Only time will tell.

View the high resolution image of the F80 M3 interior at autoevolution.com

Definitely a nice steering wheel!

I see tufted leather on the door panel. I wonder where they got that inspiration from?

No leather / alcantara dashboard option ?
F30 plastic dashboard looks and feels cheap

Originally Posted by darmawaa

No leather / alcantara dashboard option ?
F30 plastic dashboard looks and feels cheap

The M3 has never offered these options unless it was available in an Individual package. And why would you want an Alcantara dash? Wouldn't it collect dust? I think the current dash is fine. Leather dashboards are for luxury cars and the 3 series is not a luxury car, it's a reasonably priced sport sedan.

Besides that steering wheel, the new 3 series interior is a terrible design. No flow.

Originally Posted by darmawaa

No leather / alcantara dashboard option ?
F30 plastic dashboard looks and feels cheap

You're looking at a pre-production test model. I wouldn't get too wrapped up in details just yet.

Originally Posted by darmawaa

No leather / alcantara dashboard option ?
F30 plastic dashboard looks and feels cheap

... may be it is cheap.

The F80 M3 will push $80,000 in no time, with the same lackluster F20-layout interior:



It may not be a luxury car, but sure as hell it will get a luxury car price with an entry level interior layout.