BMW certainly doesn't make things easy for themselves. Every model the German automaker debuts, sets the bar high for performance and engineering, often creating new industry benchmarks. They are then tasked with outdoing themselves with subsequent generations.

Take the BMW E30 M3, for example.  With a 192-horsepower inline-4 engine and nimble handling (even around the sharpest of turns), it gave other cars a severe case of thrust envy. The next-generation BMW e 36 M3, however, was even better. It delivered an additional 48 unbroken ponies compared to its predecessor, putting out a total of 240 horsepower.

Needless to say, we fully expected new BMW M3, available starting 2014, to outdo both of these models. However, the exact trick they were planning to pull remained up their sleeve, until just recently.

Now that we know what it is, all we can say is: It's better than we could have ever imagined. The next-generation BMW M3 is gaining a tri-turbo engine!

How does one engine with three turbos work? Two of the turbos will continue to work in a very traditional manner, running off exhaust gasses. One of the turbos, however, will be electric, pushing out an estimated 450 horsepower...more than enough to compensate for any power lost by reverting to a six-cylinder engine.

It's true, the new BMW M3 will revert to a more fuel-efficient six-cylinder engine compared to the 2011 BMW M3 currently available at Bert Smith BMW located at 3800 34th Street North Saint Petersburg, FL. This is a good thing, though. Fitted with a new tri-turbo engine, and more carbon fiber parts, the next-generation model will not only be more ferocious, it will be more fuel efficient, too. If it does make it to production, it's expected to be an industry leader few automakers will ever be able to top.

Interested in more BMW news? Stay tuned. Bert Smith BMW, serving the greater Saint Petersburg area, is dedicated to keeping you informed.