Wednesday 19th October 2011

New BMW M3 To Get Four Doors First...

...while Coupe and Convertible versions will be badged M4

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These are some of the first pics of BMW's next M3 model which, for the first time, will appear in four-door saloon guise before the coupe version is launched.

According to a report in today's Autocar magazine, BMW has chosen to launch the four-door M3 first for two reasons. One, because the new model can be introduced sooner if BMW doesn't have to wait for the coupe version of the new F30 platform to be introduced, and two - more significantly - because the M3 is losing some of its 'hardcore' character.

Don't despair (yet!), because the softer M3 is not the end of the story. When the Coupe and Convertible versions do arrive, they'll be set up with more traditionally extrovert driving characteristics but will be differentiated from the saloon car with a new M4 badge and, we're guessing, an 'enhanced' price differential.

With the boggo F30-platform 3 series only just announced and the M3 itself a full 18 months off, we've got a way to go before the full story emerges. Pundits are predicting turbo six power, but have yet to reach a consensus on whether it will feature in-line or vee configuration, says Autocar.

Meanwhile, hats off to PHer Gavin Bremner for sending in these pics which he captured near (you guessed...) the Nurburgring.

Pictures copyright: Gavin Bremner

[Ocho]

No M3 Coupe - sad day...

[kambites]

I'd rather see the touring first.

[treetops]

Can't see there that many takers for a saloon.

However I do pass an earlier model saloon quite regularly and quite like it.

What they do need is an touring.

[leon9191]

So basically you cant get an M3 coupe any more but you can get an M4 which will be a coupe as will the rest of the 4 series range?

[kambites]

leon9191 said:

So basically you cant get an M3 coupe any more but you can get an M4 which will be a coupe as will the rest of the 4 series range?

Has that actually been announced yet? There has been talk of renaming the two-door 3-series as the 4-series practically since the 3-series has existed, and it's not happened yet.

[Ocho]

leon9191 said:

So basically you cant get an M3 coupe any more but you can get an M4 which will be a coupe as will the rest of the 4 series range?

All sounds a little Audi-ish doesn't it - no more A4 coupe, we'll call it an A5 to increase the apparent size of the range and supposedly make things simpler - because we're all too think to work it out for ourselves!

[E38Ross]

You have got to be kidding?? I'd be gobsmacked if they moved the coupe to an m4 and not an m3!

And wtf is this softer and firmer version all about?? Seems very odd, but if true, a sad day. If you have a softer version, don't call it an m3, the m3 has always been the flagship version of the 3 range. If it's going to be an m4, then it surely means the 3 coupe will be a 4 series?

Unbelievable if it's true!

[kambites]

Ocho said:

All sounds a little Audi-ish doesn't it - no more A4 coupe, we'll call it an A5 to increase the apparent size of the range and supposedly make things simpler - because we're all too think to work it out for ourselves!

Which all made sense until they introduced a five door hatchback version of the A5.

[hornetrider]

So, essentially this is the death knell for the M3 Coupe?

First six cylinder engines culled, and now this? For shame, BMW.

[E38Ross]

hornetrider said:

So, essentially this is the death knell for the M3 Coupe?

First six cylinder engines culled, and now this? For shame, BMW.

I'm going to wait and see if it's true first, but if true, its a bit weird. Will BMW really devalue the m3 name and change it to an m4?

Doubt it! If true though, agree!

[Nors]

Seeing it with the disguise, it just pronounces that out of proportion long bonnet of the new 3 series!

It will still be fast though!

[Ocho]

kambites said:

Which all made sense until they introduced a five door hatchback version of the A5.

A good point well made!

[hornetrider]

kambites said:

Ocho said:

All sounds a little Audi-ish doesn't it - no more A4 coupe, we'll call it an A5 to increase the apparent size of the range and supposedly make things simpler - because we're all too think to work it out for ourselves!

Which all made sense until they introduced a five door hatchback version of the A5.

Do you mean the A7?!

[loveice]

Ocho said:

leon9191 said:

So basically you cant get an M3 coupe any more but you can get an M4 which will be a coupe as will the rest of the 4 series range?

All sounds a little Audi-ish doesn't it - no more A4 coupe, we'll call it an A5 to increase the apparent size of the range and supposedly make things simpler - because we're all too think to work it out for ourselves!

Oh, don't forget at the same time (most importantly) making nearly every single A5 owner believing it's somehow a 6-Series competitor.

Anyway, is this new M3/4 going to have a turbo charged engine?

[Stu R]

Hasn't the M4 / 4 series nomenclature switch been trotted out to no avail for quite a lot of 3 series launches now? I'll believe it when I see it - won't be completely surprised if they do, given the niche filling arms race, but I don't see what it would achieve.

[billzeebub]

the artcile and all the rumours below are most likely true, as most car companys (BMW included) are now controlled by cynical marketing men who care little for the history or dna of the marque (see how Landrover is going), but are merely interested in maximising short term revenue streams to achieve their next bonus..sell everyone an M3, it won't actually be an M3 but it says it on the bootlid, what more proof do you need!?!..

..except the original buyer of the marque/specific vehicle will become disenfranchised..

[Ramses]

E38Ross said:

You have got to be kidding?? I'd be gobsmacked if they moved the coupe to an m4 and not an m3!

And wtf is this softer and firmer version all about?? Seems very odd, but if true, a sad day. If you have a softer version, don't call it an m3, the m3 has always been the flagship version of the 3 range. If it's going to be an m4, then it surely means the 3 coupe will be a 4 series?

Unbelievable if it's true!

Wasn't the E36 M3 Saloon set up as a softer version of the Coupe? I had the Coupe (with the dreadful SMG I) and i'm sure the Saloon was a softer, more compliant set up.

I can see the sense in some regard - but needs to be countered with a hardcore option for the Saloon.

I couldn't really care if the M3 Coupe is called M3 or M4. As long as the car underneath is a belter. Having a 4-series as the coupe will bring the potential to make the coupe a better car.

[SammyW]

kambites said:

I'd rather see the touring first.

+1

I really think they missed a trick not doing an E90 M3 Touring. I'm sure they're missing out to Audi and Merc by not having a direct competitor.

[kambites]

Why do people care whether they call in an M3 or an M4? It wont make it a better or worse car.

[Alfa numeric]

hornetrider said:

kambites said:

Ocho said:

All sounds a little Audi-ish doesn't it - no more A4 coupe, we'll call it an A5 to increase the apparent size of the range and supposedly make things simpler - because we're all too think to work it out for ourselves!

Which all made sense until they introduced a five door hatchback version of the A5.

Do you mean the A7?!

That's the "coupe" version of the A6.