Evil Buddha

"New M3 will have to trade blows with Audi's RS4, so the old car's straight-six has been replaced by a high revving V8, hence the prominent bonnet bulge".

It sounds to me like they stuck a sock in their pants ;-) and as everyone knows imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

daveak05

BMW Development boss Gerhard Richter said "It wasn't so much us thinking the new car needed a larger powerplant than news that the competition was preparing cars in excess of 400hp"..."To stay in the game, we simply needed a bigger engine with greater power."

I have been saying this for the last year here... that BMW's decision to use a V8 in the new M3 was directly related to Audi's use of V8's in S4 and RS4. And I was laughed at by BMW snobs and even some AW regs. Some people just can't accept anything but their own singleminded point of view...until the truth falls from the sky and hits them on the head.

Bob W.

heh....M3 camel toe.

justhacking

Truth is that Audi everywhere in the world is now equal or better than BMW, with the exception of the US. So it is not surprising that they stuff a V8 in there just to get even.

AJN334

From a style stand point the new new is just ok for me, but i can't stand the bulge in the hood. It just says look at me no I-6 anyone for BMW and so much more

I think its a bit weak...

AJN334

in the same league as bmw and mercedes... I laughed out loud. Its sad but true.

It was either forbes or consumer reports I can't remember, it was a couple of months ago...

raptorduck

I have owned 7 BMW's and 4 Mercedes and until January 2007, not one Audi. Now I own 2 and I stand corrected.