BMW dropped the M3’s first-ever V-8 under the hood in 2008. Well, with the new higher federal regulations, BMW will likely be looking to drop back down to a six-cylinder engine for the next M3 in 2014. Production of the 3.2-liter I-6 from the previous generations M3 has since been halted—and along with it went any hope for the new 2009 Z4 to get the M treatment—and word is the new M3 will not get an engine based off BMW’s current 3.0-liter family, which means we might be getting a all-new turbocharged V-6. The move to a V-6 is a big step for BMW, which has always used an inline-6 due to its smooth-revving nature.

An M version of the next-generation 1-series is also in the works and it looks as though it will be powered by an I-4 tuned to well over 300 horsepower.

[via Motor Trend]

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