BMW has revealed tantalising details of its M4 Coupé and M3 Sedan, which will be officially unveiled at the North American International Auto Show, and co-introduced to the South African market in the second half of next year. In fact, the order books are already open.
Given the unveiling of the M4 concept at the recent Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California, M car aficionados expected the production version of the M4 to be revealed at the eminent Frankfurt Show. However, BMW has opted to reveal its sportscar(s) in stages – perhaps in the hope of achieving optimal marketing exposure, but also to disambiguate the M4 from its M3 Coupé predecessor by installing the fifth generation M3 in saloon form.
Big on CFRP!
The M pair will share a low-slung, broad-yet-balanced stance with enlarged air intakes at the front, M gills with integrated air breathers on the fenders, flared wheel arches (which are particularly striking when viewing the saloon in its rear three-quarter perspective, a source says), a Gurney spoiler lip at the back of the M3 and integrated rear apron on the M4.
Apart from the visible carbonfibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) components, such as the roofs of both cars, a new, single-piece propshaft and strut brace in the engine compartment are also constructed from CFRP. That, and the extensive use of aluminium in the cars’ suspension components sees the kerb weights of the M3 and M4 reduced to just under 1 500 kg.
Inline six with two turbos
Although the exact engine displacement has not been confirmed, both M cars will be powered by an inline six-cylinder motor equipped with two mono-scroll turbochargers, direct injection, variable valve and camshaft timing, as well as a forged crankshaft. Capable of revving to 7 500 r/min, the engine produces approximately 320 kW and a peak torque “far beyond 500 N.m … outstripping the figures recorded by the outgoing M3 by well over 30 per cent (while achieving) a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions of around 25 per cent”, BMW says.
Bolstered cooling, lubrication systems
The Munich-based manufacturer has further beefed up the M3/M4 powerplant’s cooling system to cope with the rigours of the engine’s force-fed configuration.
The air intake system has an indirect intercooler, extra radiators are fitted for the high- and low-temperature water circuits, turbocharger and transmission oil and an additional electric coolant pump cools the blowers’ bearing mounts when the car is stationary.
The engine oil supply system has a special sump cover to limit movement of the oil under extreme lateral acceleration and an extraction pump and return system situated close to the turbochargers to maintain uninterrupted oil circulation.
Slicker manual ‘box
A new, more compact (and lighter) six-speed manual gearbox is standard. For improved shift comfort, the gearbox uses carbon friction linings in its synchroniser rings and blips the throttle on downshifts – previously a feature reserved for the seven-speed M double clutch transmission with launch control, which will be offered as the other transmission option.
The newcomers will also be equipped with an Active M Differential as their M5 and M6 siblings are, M Dynamic Mode and an uprated electromechanical steering system that allows the driver to choose between comfort, sport and sport+ settings to alter the level of steering assistance. An adaptive M suspension and M carbon ceramic brakes will be optional.
Howling exhaust note
Those who have viewed video clips of disguised M4 and M3 test units undergoing extensive testing and setup runs on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit, will attest that the new models emit exhaust soundtracks that pay homage to legendary BMW inline-six performance motors. Electrically controlled flaps in the cars’ twin-pipe exhaust systems, located just before the rear silencer, minimise exhaust back-pressure to produce the characteristic engine notes.
Feedback from the track test
BMW works drivers Bruno Spengler and Timo Glock took part in the aforementioned test sessions and as one might expect, were impressed with the car’s performance characteristics.
Said former DTM champion Spengler: “The suspension has a very sporty set-up, the feedback from the front axle is extremely direct and the grip at the rear axle phenomenal. The engine is impressive, too. The power is right there, even at low revs, and you can sense that you’ll be able to access the output and torque over a wide rev band”.
Similar power, similar spec
In terms of interior treatment, the M4 and M3 will be virtually identical, a source says, but don’t regard the cabin of the Alcantara-and-carbon-fibre-trimmed 4 Series M-Performance pack, which CAR featured briefly in the September issue, as a yardstick. There won’t be r/min-indicating LEDs on the rim of the cars’ sports steering wheels, for example, but the already extensively-equipped 435i Coupe’s specification (perhaps with the addition of sportier seats and a M-specific head-up display, but we speculate) will be closer to the mark.
Pricing?
With the local double-introduction more than half a year away, it’s impossible to make an educated guess as to the prices at which the M4 and M3 will be made available. However, given the added complexity of the new models compared with their V8-engined predecessors, it’s hard to imagine the pair will retail at under a million rand (especially so in the case of the coupe). Nevertheless BMW dealers are already taking signatures and deposits from would-be buyers eager to secure the rights to get their hands on the M cars as soon as they’re available.
