Thursday 4th March 2021

Manhart previews 600hp M3/M4

New M cars are only just reaching showrooms, but Manhart already has plenty in store for the G80 and G82

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It's seldom that a tuning package for a car is previewed like it's a blockbuster film release, but then the wave of excitement around the new BMW M3 and M4 is a lucrative one to ride. Hence Manhart has released preliminary details of its MH3 600 and MH4 600 packages, due later in 2021.

As the name implies, Manhart's work is predicted to give M5 levels of power to the 3.0-litre, S58 straight-six, with the installation of the MHtronik Powerbox and Manhart exhaust. For the Competition model that's the only offering in the UK, totals of 620hp and 553lb ft has been suggested. With the standard model only outputting 510hp and 479lb ft, that's a substantial upgrade.

Additional tweaks already announced include H&R lowering springs, Manhart Concave wheels (eschewing the staggered setup of the standard car, and going bigger, with 21s at each corner) as well as a range of carbon aero parts including bonnet, spoiler and diffuser. This being Manhart, there is a gold decal kit also offered. Of course.

This previewed range of modifications is just the start for the new era of M3 and M4, too. After Phase 1's array of goodies, Manhart is promising a second stage that "will go a step further, taking both the M3 and M4 to the next level." With an xDrive M3/M4 pair coming for the first time ever, the threshold for usable power has doubtless gone up several notches against any previous generation. Expect a lot more M3 fettling during 2021, based on demand. And if Manhart seems a bit far flung for UK customers, don't forget that Litchfield has well established form in BMW M cars - its M2 was an absolute riot...

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• New BMW M3 and M4 officially revealed
• Litchfield BMW M2 Competition | PH Review

[pSyCoSiS]

Apart from the gold stripes, I think that looks ok. Front end looks more aggressive.

[Turini]

Not to contradict OP but there isn't much clean about the design, I know its driven by aero requirements, but messy comes to mind - I suppose design by functionality is the priority it that area and we'll all moan if it wasn't being efficiently pushed into the road..

[Aftershox]

Like the F1 rear fog light

[vz-r_dave]

That front end hahaha, its hilariously awful. Thats before Manhart have touched it as well.

[J4CKO]

"the threshold for usable power has doubtless gone up several notches against any previous generation."

Yep, traction is better, but not sure where, over here folk can make 600 odd bhp usable very often, I know I would try but start getting lots more post and requests for personal appearances.

[rwindmill]

Turini said:

Not to contradict OP but there isn't much clean about the design, I know its driven by aero requirements, but messy comes to mind - I suppose design by functionality is the priority it that area and we'll all moan if it wasn't being efficiently pushed into the road..

I understand what you are saying, but surely there has to be a compromise between aesthetics and functionality.

At the moment, it seems that function is over-riding all other considerations, culminating in this 'hard to look straight at' creation.

[fantheman80]

Black car certainly hides the coke nostrils!

[Augustus Windsock]

“ With the standard model only outputting 510hp and 479lb ft, that's a substantial upgrade”
Only.
Think for most people, most of the time, that is more than can be deployed on our congested, speed camera proliferated roads for more than a few seconds...
Still, it makes good copy.
But the appearance of this thing is still it’s main stumbling block (for me at least), and I’d rather have the previous model, at substantially less, and throw some Litchfield upgrades at it.

[Black S2K]

I've only just realised what a pretty car the JPS Capri was.

Can't stop laughing at that.

[Rapidcrumpets]

They look fun to take over speed humps and pot holes! 21s on a mid-size saloon, who'd have ever thought

[Ollieb7]

Interesting where they have positioned the side stripes where the F80 crease line was (through door handles) which to me by raising it was another mistake by BMW designers on top of that grill. These guys obviously agree.

[nuttywobbler]

Such a classy looking car. Old money, for sure.

[Mark_Blanchard]

Paint it black so you don't see the grill, then put gold lines over it, so your eyes don't look at the grill. It's all about not seeing the grill now.

Wonder how sales are doing for these cars?

[uremaw]

Literally gilding a turd

[waynecyclist]

uremaw said:

Literally gilding a turd

This, I think it looks awful

[MyV10BarksAndBites]

Not a fan of stripes, but really like the rest.

[the_hood]

Standard power and Manhart styling and I'd be happy. Just have to find the money to buy/lease it!

[bluesierra]

Is there a reason they showcased this in black, do you think??

But on the plus side, with a starting point like that, any mods literally can't make it look any worse...

[redroadster]

It's all going backwards v quickly literally on a greasy damp Rd with no skilled drivers booting it.

[Uncle John]

Coke nose ha ha!