BMW M3 Coupe: first details announced - 3 Series looks but similarity ends there

The new car shares the style of the current 3 Series, but that's just about all it shares - only the doors, bootlid, windows and front and rear lamps are used from the conventional car.

Other items that distinguish the M3 from the standard car are a distinctive bulge on the bonnet that BMW calls a 'powerdome', two aluminium bonnet air intakes, and more large air intakes in the front valance.

There are also 18-inch alloy wheels, (19-inch versions are an option), side vents in the front wings that integrate indicator lights and an M3 logo, and door mirrors which BMW claims add a small amount of downforce.

At the rear, the car has a diffuser, twin double exhaust pipes and the bootlid has a small spoiler.

The new car goes on sale in the UK in September, but prices haven't been released yet. Nevertheless, you can expect to pay in the region of £45,000.