BMW M3 and M4 pics leaked

UPDATE: Pics are now official from BMW, as are some very interesting performance stats

INFO UPDATE 12/12/13 09:00.
So yesterday's leaked BMW M3 and M4 pics seem to have got everyone rather hot under the collar. Today there's even more to get excited about with the confirmation of a few key stats along with the official picture release.

430hp and 32mpg an alluring combo

As a six-speed manual (12kg lighter than before, with a throttle match function), the M4 has a kerb weight of 1,497kg. It will hit a limited 155mph, 62 in 4.3 seconds and achieve, wait for it, 32.1mpg. Opt for the dual-clutch 'box and those numbers improve further to 4.1 seconds and 34mpg. CO2 is rated at 204g/km for the manual and 194g/km for the M DCT. Given identical figures are quoted for both M3 and M4, the weight difference between the two has to be negligible.

Peak power of 431hp is made between 5,500 and 7,300rpm, the limiter calling time at 7,600. As promised, the 406lb ft torque peak is available from below 2,000rpm (1,850 to be exact) and remains until 5,500rpm. A rather different proposition to the old V8 then.

With the dual clutch gearbox, BMW has introduced 'Stability Clutch Control', which opens the clutch when the car is understeering to bring it back into line.

A quick update on the prices also. The figures quoted by Autocar in our original story were correct, but the UK launch date is in fact 21st June. We're counting down the days...

Regardless of some less illustrious models launched in recent years, seeing pics of a new BMW M car should still be an important day for the PH-minded enthusiast.

Four-door M3 no longer the dowdy one?

So here we are, the M3 and M4 freed of all disguise and leaked ahead of a full debut soon. You can read the full tech story on both here, detailing why BMW is confident with electric steering and how it plans to deliver the best response from the first turbocharged M3.

But today we can concentrate on appearance alone with no new technical info. Though hardly expert judges on all matters style and fashion, the general consensus here at PH is that BMW had done a good job on the M3 and M4.

For the M3 the look is very much mini M5, which is no bad thing. The front bumper/grille arrangement is much more aggressive than standard, the tiny M3 badge in the kidneys also giving the game away. The bonnet hump of the previous E90 remains, even though the engine is nearly 1,000cc smaller...

Estoril blue, power bulge, wide arches - check!

Moving further back, the wheels are worth discussing. Or, more precisely, the brakes that sit behind them. Gold calipers mean carbon ceramic discs, a first for the M3. Given they're a £7,395 option on the M6, expect to pay a similar amount of have your M3 or M4 similarly equipped.

Now familiar M trademarks (swollen arches, wing badges and four exhausts) also feature, with a carbon roof now standard on coupe and saloon. The M4 (still looks strange, as do the badges) gets a CSL-style integrated rear spoiler, the M3 a small lip like the outgoing car.

Inside the M3 and M4 are distinguished by some carbon trim, additional buttons round the gearlever and a few M badges. Note the tacho that doesn't go red until 7,500rpm also. From here, the wheel appears to follow the recent M tradition or being quite chunky, but we'll reserve final judgement until hands are literally on it.

One-piece seat backs - sportlich, ja?

Expect the official details for both M3 and M4 soon ahead of a production debut at Detroit and sales beginming in May. Autocar has revealed the M3 will cost £56,175 and the M4 £56,635, the coupe looking pretty good value given the c.£3K premium carried for a 4 Series over the equivalent 3. It's also not an awful lot more than the old car, which cost £54,980 as a coupe. These prices aren't official yet, mind.

[Source: Autocar]

OP Posts Only

Prev 2 3...13 14 Next

OP Posts Only

Author

Discussion

GTEYE

Original Poster

2,473 posts

239 months