When you think of performance sedans, the BMW M3 is often the first name to pop into your head. With the upcoming 2025 model, BMW seems keen on ensuring that domination remains. Adding more horsepower, refining the design, and updating its tech offerings, BMW is making sure that this model isn’t just a pretty face but a beast under the hood as well.
2025 BMW M3 exterior" />
The heart of the 2025 BMW M3 is its returning twin-turbo, inline-six S58 engine. While BMW has kept the fundamentals unchanged, they're now offering three different states of tune. The purist’s choice, complete with a six-speed manual and rear-wheel drive, churns out 473 hp and 409 lb-ft of torque. For those who prefer the eight-speed automatic M3 Competition RWD, the output jumps to 503 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque.
For the ultimate thrill-seekers, the M3 Competition with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system (and the eight-speed auto) now roars with 523 hp—20 extra ponies over the previous years. Despite the increase in power, the torque remains a beefy 479 lb-ft across both Competition models.
Incorporating motorsport-derived technology, the S58 engine includes innovations such as a sleeve-free closed-deck crankcase for added rigidity and a lightweight forged crankshaft for improved torque. Unique to this engine is the cylinder head core, which uses 3D printing for intricate routing of coolant ducts that traditional methods can’t achieve. BMW touts that the engine for the AWD M3 Competition forms the basis for the powerplant in their M4 GT3 race car, giving everyday drivers a taste of true racing pedigree.
Reining in all that power, the AWD M3 Competition races from 0 to 60 in a brisk 3.4 seconds. All M3s carry an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph, which can be bumped up to 180 mph with the optional M Driver’s package. Aesthetically, the 2025 M3 makes notable but subtle changes. The headlights have been redesigned, consolidating high and low beams into a single module, and the LED daytime running lights now feature a vertical look.
BMW M3 interior" />Moving inside, the updates become even more significant. The 2025 M3 incorporates the latest version of BMW’s iDrive infotainment system. This system now includes a stylish curved display that combines a 12.3-inch instrument panel for the driver and a 14.9-inch center control screen. This larger display can show M-specific content tailored to the car’s high-performance characteristics.
For those who appreciate a tactile driving experience, BMW introduces a new three-spoke steering wheel with a flat bottom. Standard versions come wrapped in leather, but an Alcantara-wrapped version is an option for those opting for the Carbon package. This update retains the iconic red center marker at the 12 o’clock position, a hallmark of BMW’s performance design ethos.
The new 2025 BMW M3 models will start production at BMW’s Munich plant in July. Pricing kicks off at $77,175 for the manual-equipped, non-competition M3. If you’re inclined towards the rear-wheel-drive M3 Competition, be prepared to part with at least $81,375. The top-tier AWD M3 Competition will start at $86,475.
With this latest update, BMW reaffirms its commitment to pushing the boundaries of what a performance sedan can be—blending power, technology, and design into one compelling package. The 2025 M3 isn’t just a car; it’s a statement on wheels.
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