2020 BMW M3 ‘Pure’ to Offer Rear-wheel Drive, Manual Transmission
Automotive purists rejoice – the next BMW M3 will reportedly offer a stripped-down version just for us.
Much to the chagrin of automotive purists, cars just keep getting more and more complicated with each and every generation. The days of manual transmissions, rear-wheel drive, naturally-aspirated engines, and analog driving experiences seem, well, doomed at this point. And that’s a shame, really, no matter how much faster today’s cars are with all of this brave new world stuff. But if a recent report by the U.K.’s Car Magazine is to be believed, the 2020 BMW M3 might just buck that trend.
We’re not saying that the German automaker is going all the way back to the E30 glory days, of course. But purists will at least be semi-pleased to know that the entry-level 2020 BMW M3 will reportedly come with proper rear-wheel drive and an honest-to-God 6-speed manual transmission. Appropriately dubbed the “Pure” edition, this platform will also be powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six producing 454 horsepower.
Not only that, but the Pure 2020 BMW M3 will also reportedly be visually distinguishable from its richer brethren. Unique front and rear aprons, paint color options, alloy wheels, and interior treatments are reportedly on the table. That way, anyone in the know can immediately recognize that you’re a true automotive connoisseur, not some two pedal poser.
Of course, those who have chosen to embrace the joys of technology won’t be forced to live in the past. BMW will also offer xDrive and a quick-shifting eight-speed automatic gearbox in the next M3. That car will reportedly get 20 more horsepower and a special RWD mode, much like the M5. But while they’re out winning drag races, we old school types will still be having more fun, no?