Skip to main content

BMW’s future M car will be taking inspiration from the classic E30 M3

BMW E30 M3 Sport Evolution
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Remember back in 2011 when the sensational BMW 1 series M blew our minds with how fun it was? well, it looks like BMW is looking for lighting to strike twice with a successor, and it may take inspiration from one of the automaker’s most celebrated past models.

BMW design director Adrian van Hooydonk spoke to Autocar about the future M car that’s on its way, indicating that the E30 M3 will be looked at in large part, with many cues taken from it. While it’s not for certain, its likely that the 2 Series, BMW’s entry-level coupe, will be the basis of the upcoming M.

BMW M4, BMW E30 M3 Sport Evolution
The BMW M4 Coupe and the BMW E30 M3 Sport Evolution Image used with permission by copyright holder

The E30 was the chassis of the second generation of 3 Series two-door coupes BMW produced, which later saw four-door sedan and touring versions made shortly after. The first M3 was introduced in 1985 on this platform which saw a lot of action in all sorts of motorsport series and saw many improvements done to the body to improve aerodynamics. This body style has since become indelible in the minds of BMW fans.

It’s that same focus to airflow that Hooydonk and his team will endeavor to bring to the new M car. “With M cars, we try to get the downforce right without moveable aero. It’s the most authentic way,” he says.

The 1 Series M similarly was identifiable with its flared body work and gaping intakes, so we’d imagine the new M2 to sport something similar. We’re not super concerned with the looks, frankly, we just want it to be half as fun as its predecessor.

Editors' Recommendations

Alexander Kalogianni
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Alex K is an automotive writer based in New York. When not at his keyboard or behind the wheel of a car, Alex spends a lot of…
Should you buy a used EV? Maybe, but it’s complicated
2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD rear end side profile from driver's side with trees and a metal fence in the back.

Electric cars are slowly but surely getting cheaper. Over the past year or so, Ford and Tesla have been discounting their most popular electric cars while other brands, like Rivian, are laying the groundwork for all-new cheaper models.

But you'd still be hard-pressed to call electric cars cheap, and buying a completely new car in the first place is a hurdle in and of itself for many potential buyers. According to Statista, used car sales represented around 74% of all car sales in 2022, and while this figure is likely to change as electric cars get cheaper, the fact remains that most car buyers would prefer to save cash and buy used rather than buy something new.
Buying a new car ain't what it used to be
Buying a car with an electric powertrain doesn't necessarily need to be all that different from buying an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. But there's a little more to it than that.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs. Ford Mustang Mach-E: Will the R2 be a better buy?
Side of the Rivian R2

The Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it could end up being the go-to EV for drivers who want a decently affordable electric car with a rugged look and feel. But when it finally launches to the public, it won't be the only option in its price range -- the Ford Mustang Mach-E could be one of its main competitors.

The Mustang Mach-E may not be quite as rugged-feeling as the Rivian R2, but it does have a lot going for it -- like an increasingly low price, sleek design, and comfortable interior. Is one of these EVs better than the other? We put the two head-to-head to find out.
Design
The first thing to note about the two cars is their design, as they’re pretty different. The Rivian R2 is built to be a little more rugged and outdoorsy, while the Mach-E instead has a sleeker and sportier look to it. Both cars look stylish and modern.

Read more
2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan gets new face, bigger battery
2025 Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan front-quarter view.

The Mercedes-Benz EQS sedan arrived during the 2022 model year as the flagship of Mercedes' EV fleet. But now that it's been on sale for a few years, it's time for this flagship to get a refit so that it can stay competitive with other six-figure electric sedans like the BMW i7, Lucid Air, and Tesla Model S. The updated EQS sedan is scheduled to reach dealerships later this year as a 2025 model.

One of the most controversial features of the EQS has been its unorthodox streamlined shape, which makes the EQS one of the most aerodynamic sedans around, but also means it doesn't look much like a traditional Mercedes. For 2025, the EQS takes a step closer to that traditional look with a new grille featuring chrome bars like on the Mercedes S-Class. It also sports the brand's trademark hood ornament.

Read more