Mystery Hardcore BMW M3: Spy Video & More Photos

When the mystery BMW M3 came out to play again our spies were there, camera in hand. They even managed to take this scintillating video of the car lapping the ‘Ring at a rapid pace. Previous thoughts ranged from the car being a possible CSL version (despite BMW's consistent denials of such a car) to a possible GT4-based road car or a Competition Pack known as the CS in some markets. WCF reader comments are also varied with one even suggesting a next-generation M V6 biturbo being tested in the current body.

We still don't know for sure but another clue jumped at us while examining the new photos. A small KW Suspension badge appears on the bottom right corner of the boot lid. Since the license plates indicate the M3 is BMW-owned, it could mean the German suspension specialist is co-developing a new suspension for the M3 making the CS / GT4 theory more plausible.  Or the engineers are just trying to throw off the spy photographers.

Clearly, the M3 is riding lower than usual but the rudimentary high-flung rear spoiler, front splitter  and roll cage indicate something more purposeful. Given KW's focus on coilover systems and not necessarily the entire aero package we tend to lean towards a CS or GT4 version before accepting the possibility that it's a powertrain mule for a future M3 model.

 

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 AdigA AdigA
i dont think its a turbo engine its the 4.0 V8 engine with a 6 speed manual gearbox .. and i still hope this one will be the CSL :)
October 19, 2009 2:23 pm
 reddis reddis
How can you tell the car is BMW-owned from the licence plate?
October 19, 2009 4:17 pm
 joshg_5 joshg_5
Every European plate has codes representing what country it's from, and in some cases it can be more particular, for a company for instance, such as BMW.
October 19, 2009 4:43 pm
 from_germany_=) from_germany_=)
It's a bit different: It's true that you can tell the country from the licence plate, but more precicely it's the "M" on it which stands for the bavarian capital Munich, telling the car is BMW-owned (most likely). You can assume it is, because BMW is based in Munich, but there aren't any company-related codes as such on the plate.
October 19, 2009 5:55 pm
 scratchy996 scratchy996
Porsche has plates with "S GO number" , S is from Stuttgart. i haven't noticed any BMW special plate pattern. also there are 1.5 million people in Munich and i think some BMW tuning firms are based there too.
October 19, 2009 9:36 pm
 Swifty Swifty
from the sound in video I can tell it's still V8, so maybe a souped up version, probably CSL! next gen M3 will be V6 twin scroll twin turbo!
October 19, 2009 4:23 pm
 mn07 mn07
CSL maybe..
October 19, 2009 5:00 pm
 NardoW12 NardoW12
I really do hope it's the CS or some other high performance road version instead of GT4 race car..
October 19, 2009 5:01 pm
 MTC MTC
I'm sure it's a V8, it sounds exactly like the M3's 4.0L V8. If it's a CSL, I'm sure I'll be loving BMW once again. woops, more BMW fan boys?
October 19, 2009 5:26 pm
 moodyaaa moodyaaa
the sound is just amazing.
October 19, 2009 7:58 pm
 GuyOh GuyOh
sounds like a stock M3
October 19, 2009 10:26 pm
 scratchy996 scratchy996
does anyone hear a turbo there or am i just tired ?
October 19, 2009 9:36 pm
 crazy_golf_driver crazy_golf_driver
Sounds good... but i still think its a normall M3 with looks, wing, roll cage, and maybe some software to give it some more horses....
October 20, 2009 6:41 am
 GTRfan GTRfan
if its a CSL, everyone will be happy...
October 20, 2009 8:05 am
 James2911 James2911
V6 twin-turbo? I'd be very doubtful. BMW would never go down the V6 path when their inline sixes are so successful.
October 20, 2009 8:50 am
 rikard1 rikard1
I dont get the impression this has anything to do with BMW itself.
October 20, 2009 10:13 am
 Aesthetics Aesthetics
probably a rebored version of the original
October 20, 2009 6:41 pm
 dougpassat dougpassat
Soon Obama will take away all the money from all the rich and give it to us poor, you won't be able to buy such luxury and hurt the enviroment. All Hail OBAMA.
October 20, 2009 8:38 pm
 mawhito mawhito
October 21, 2009 1:07 pm