BMW Alpina B3 snapped while testing in Germany

No, this is not the next BMW M3. But it's still something pretty special. What you're looking at here is the Alpina B3, a hotter version of the new F30 3 Series that will be done in a similar fashion to the B5, B6 and B7 models that we've long drooled over.

Signature Alpina changes like the revised lower front fascia, rear lip spoiler and modified exhaust are clearly evident on this prototype, as are newly designed wheels. No, they aren't the lovely 20-spoke Alpina wheels found on all the other models, but who knows, things could change before the car goes into production. What's more, who knows if the 3 Series body can even handle 21-inch rollers.

Details? None right now. We can probably assume that the Alpina B3 will use a boosted version of the turbocharged 3.0-liter six found in the 335i, but until the car officially debuts later this year (set to launch in early 2013), your guess is as good as ours.

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Face of next BMW M3 caught while testing

Behold our first clear glimpse at the 2014 BMW M3. Photographers spotted the high performance sedan undergoing hot-weather testing in Death Valley. Engineers peeled back a slab of heavy nose cladding for the first time, revealing the machine's menacing lower valance and headlamps. The design features sizable air intakes down low, and it looks as if a new hood is part of the recipe as well. If these photos are any indication, the M3 will continue to boast a prominent power bulge for the next model year.

Massive drilled rotors and similarly potent-looking calipers are part of the song and dance, which is a good thing. BMW has made it clear the 2014 M3 will bow with a forced induction inline six in place of the current model's fire-breathing high-rev V8. Even so, we don't expect to see a reduction in power or performance.

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