Dutch car site AutoTelegraaf has the grisly details of the new V8 engine BMW's putting into the upcoming M3. Let's just say, whoever chose 420 horsepower and 295 ft-lbs of torque in the pool, you're a winner. (Not that there was a pool, but we're sure Audi's keeping a running tally of specs). Apparently, the 4.0-liter V8 is quite a rev monster, seeing it was derived from the company's 5.0-liter V10. Peak horsepower comes on at a soaring 8,300 rpm. But owing to BMW's Double VANOS variable-valve system, 85% of torque is available at 2,000 rpm. What these disparate figures mean for driveability remains to be seen, but the talk is of a smoothed torque curve up to 6,000 rpm. We'll find out after the M3's launch at the Frankfurt motor show in September, and subsequent market launch.
BMW's new V8 engine for the M3 [Motor Authority]
Related:
Geneva Premiere: BMW M3 Concept [internal]