BMW M3 Concept news - Pieces of eight - 2007

Come on BMW, just give us the full gen on the new M3.

We've had the M3 Concept (pictured here) and we have to wait 'til the Frankfurt show in September before the M3 proper is unveiled.

Even then, we'll still have to wait a couple of months before the first M3 touches down in the UK.

Still, BMW has released a few details of the next M3's 4.0-litre V8 engine.

It will be lighter than the old car's 3.2-litre straight six, and it'll whack out 414bhp and 295lb ft of torque.

That's pretty much on a par with the Audi RS4, but Mercedes is working away on a C63 AMG version of the next C-Class that should have 474bhp and 464lb ft to wipe the smile from the faces of its German rivals.

But BMW should win the battle of whose engine revs highest because the M3 V8 redlines at 8,300rpm. We can't wait to hear that noise.