[international]

A few important points with this new V8 unit....

1. Last year we marveled that Audi squeezed 420 horsepower out of only 4.2 liters. BMW has now squeezed the same amount out of only 4.0.

2. Last year we couldn't believe the Audi V-8 revved to 8250 rpm. BMW's dyno chart doesn't stop until 8400.

3. Last year we thought it was amazing that the RS4's power peak was at a lofty 7800 rpm. That seems like peanuts, now - the M3's engine makes peak power at 8300.

4. Last year we all oohed and aahed that the RS4's V-8 makes 90 percent of its peak torque over a 5350-rpm range. (From 2250 to 7600 rpm). Now, BMW's V-8 adds 400 rpm to that already unbelievable spread - it does the same from 2500 to 8250 rpm.

by calculating engine load based on parameters like engine rpm, intake air temperature and pressure, throttle position, and VANOS position. The computer also monitors the resistance across the spark plug gap to identify detonation and misfiring.

We won't be getting it in the U.S., but elsewhere, the M3 will have BMW's new brake energy regeneration system, which sounds more complex and hybrid-y than it actually is. It's a brilliant, but simple, system that decouples the alternator when it's not needed. And by favoring running the alternator in overrun and under braking, the system helps fuel economy while simultaneously making more power available under acceleration.

The system does require a new type of battery - an AGM, or absorbent glass mat battery, which can better cope with the increased charging and discharging it will experience working with the regeneration system. There's been no word yet on whether there are any drawbacks to this type of battery, but we suspect that might be one reason we're not getting the system.

If there are any drawbacks to having an eight-pot M3, we haven't seen any evidence yet. We'll miss the previous engine's screaming, inline-six wail, for sure. But on paper, at least, the new V-8 looks like a win-win proposition.

We expect more information on the M3 to be released at the 2007 New York Auto Show, even though the car won't be there in the flesh.