Enthusiasts the world over have been waiting for this car. The 2008 BMW M3 replaces an icon, what some consider to be the pinnacle of automotive engineering, a deft example of the balance between creature comforts and lightweight performance, a car with such grace and finesse that it’s hard to explain what an M3 is without tossing over a set of keys so that the audience can discover the magic for themselves.

But time marches on, and here is the future. Spied trolling for chicks (hey, could be) in the Santa Barbara area is a test mule of the 2008 BMW M3, equipped with the first V8 engine to be installed in this, the company’s most prolific performance model. In addition to a larger, more powerful engine, the new M3 will get a full hardware massage from BMW Motorsport – including the brakes, suspension, and steering – to ensure optimum handling. Subtle styling modifications are also part of the package.

*Photo copyright Brenda Priddy & Company