SPY PICS: Next BMW M3 will stick to the script

These spy photos of a heavily-camouflaged BMW M3 carving up Germany's Nurburgring circuit indicate where the next generation of the legendary sports sedan is heading.

And, basically, it's not diverging from the long-established rear-drive turbo-six path set by its illustrious BMW M3 forebears.

Codenamed G80 and based on nextyear's all-new 3 Series, the sixth-generation BMW M3 expected to debut later in 2019 will be based on the new CLAR platform employed by the latest BMW 5 Series and 7 Series models.

So while its donor vehicle will be lighter, stiffer and fitted with newer suspension technology, the next-gen BMW M3 will also adopt weight-saving technology elsewhere, including carbon-fibre components that should – not the first time for an M3 – also include the roof.

Although based on the current model's 317kW 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder, the next M3's engine is said to be upgraded to produce as much as 347kW – which is around 16kW more than the current BMW M3 Competition and should combine nicely with the expected weight reduction.

Speculation that the next BMW M3 will adopt a hybrid drivetrain and all-wheel drive is fading. The latter looks less likely because of weight – and cost.

And although a six-speed manual transmission will remain the default gearbox, the current seven-speed twin-clutch automated manual is likely to be replaced by a conventional eight-speed auto.

M3 fans should look to the September 2019 Frankfurt motor show for the first reveal of BMW's new Mercedes-AMG C 63 rival, before sales begin early in 2020.