RE: 2020 BMW M4 - here it (almost) is

RE: 2020 BMW M4 - here it (almost) is

Monday 10th August 2020

New BMW M3... will be offered in blue - update

Final set of spies (we hope!) before the reveal show a G80 M3 in almost all its glory



We don't like this any more than you do, honest. We're desperate to see the new BMW M3 and M4 shorn of any disguise and freed from the confines of testing. Until then, the gradual strip tease of the new car continues, with a debut still set for next month and the camo gradually being peeled away.

These pictures, as was probably said last time, are our best look yet; interestingly, it's just the M3 four-door that's been photographed, where previous images have been more focused on the two-door M4. With the door disguise gone we can see one of BMW's 'frozen' matt paint finishes, the blue looking similar to that seen on the old M3 CS. Note, as well, the new rear doors for the M car, there to accommodate the blistered arches and wider track that became a trademark of the F80 M3 and which looks set to continue in this one. From the rear there's much to be encouraged by; those arches combine with the rear lights to accentuate width, and the four exhausts leave those behind in no doubt as to what this 3 Series really is. But then the back end has never been the problem area...


While the grille and supporting front end are still under wraps, there certainly isn't going to be any mistaking the M3 for anything else besides perhaps a 7 Series. That the numberplate appears to be held on with straps is doing the BMW no favours, either. Hopefully it'll work better in person, and without the disguise, and in production specification. Because there's not been a bad-looking M3 or M4 in 35 years - and nobody wants this to be the start.

Of course, a BMW M car is about so much more than how it looks, the potential problem BMW has with this latest pair is all that M3 heritage. They've so often combined smart styling with dynamic excitement and a great engine to set the standard for sports saloons. The competition is so richly talented - see the latest Giulia Quadrifoglio and AMG C63 - that anything less than excellence across the board won't be good enough. Not long until we find out.




Image credit | S.Baldauf/S.B.Medien



UPDATE, 07/07/20:
Given it's now July, that means the new BMW M3 and M4 will make their debuts the month after next. Which is pretty exciting, all things considered, given there hasn't been all that much in the world of automotive to be encouraged by recently. And, y'know, there have been one or two half decent M cars over the years...

Today's update - and you can expect more to follow, even with September now close - is to have the G80/82 and their respective snouts out in public. Certainly there will be no missing either if they're charging up behind you on the autobahn, numberplate swallowed up by the grille and slender headlights doing the BMW aggression. Notable here as well is seeing the four-door M3 with the grille treatment; we've only known the 4 Series with its controversial visage, whereas the standard 3 Series launched with a more conventional look. It'll be interesting to see how the two compare, especially as the regular G20 3 Series has been generally regarded as a pretty handsome saloon car (unless it's the M4 Gran Coupe we're seeing here, of course).


Where there will surely be less debate is in the rear end design, of which only the M4 is seen here. There are the trademark quad pipes, bigger bumpers that exaggerate the rear axle, lights that wrap all the way around to further accentuate width and a teeny-tiny spoiler incorporated into the boot. With the provisos that this is still disguised prototype and that everyone will still be obsessed with the front end, this M4 is looking pretty good from the rear three quarter. Note that this car features Michelin tyres (the previous model had a bespoke Super Sport compound for it, so the same again seems possible), the gold calipers that denote ceramic brakes and an alloy wheel design seemingly inspired by the M8 Competition.

And if any more can be said about the new cars than that, then you're a better spy sleuth than any of us. No doubt the entirely exposed interior pic will leak out soon, plus maybe an engine bay shot as well. And you can be damn sure we'll be talking about it! Those that don't like BMW M cars might wish to browse elsewhere as September approaches...




Image credit: S. Baldauf/S.B.Medien


 


ORIGINAL STORY, AS REPORTED 06/06/2020:
It's hard to overstate the importance of a two-door BMW M3 on PH, given its popularity in all avenues of the site. So, when there's a new M4 about to launch, based on a 4 Series that's been received - how to put it - frostily at best, it becomes pretty major news. Even if the news is a grainy image from Reddit.

This solitary snap is the first time we've seen a whole G22 M4 without disguise. Predictably, there's a strong 4 Series influence to the M car; most notably you know where, but also the headlight design as well - though note on this car a reprofiled front bumper, with a splitter that juts out further than simplified vents ahead of the wheels. In an M3/M4 tradition that now extends back to the E92 of 2007, there looks to be slight bonnet bulge atop the 3.0-litre straight-six, though it's probably the two nostrils either side of the roundel that will take more attention. Presumably it's an aerodynamic device, though it's not clear just yet.

Elsewhere the wheels look similar in design to those seen on previous M2, M3 and M4 Competition, the colour is very reminiscent of M4 CS Lime Rock Grey and the rear arches, like the F82 M4, don't appear all that butch - hopefully we get the M3 looking suitably ruded up again as M4 parts are stuffed into (much better looking) 3 Series.

And, really, that's about as much as it's possible to say about one poorly lit picture of a car at night outside a warehouse. We know it'll use the S58 twin-turbo seen in the X3 M, we know it'll be xDrive (with a rear-drive model as well) and we know there'll be a manual option alongside the DCT. Hopefully there are some presentable pics - along with that much sought-after extra info - later in 2020. We'll be there as soon as there is!

G22 M4 from r/BMW

 


 

Author
Discussion

cerb4.5lee

Original Poster:

30,186 posts

179 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
I used to really like looking at the bonnet bulge from the drivers seat in my E92 M3. cool

I'm looking forward to this coming out, and I've always been a fan of the current M4, but I've still not managed to tick that box yet sadly. The M4 is a quick motor. driving

Krikkit

26,500 posts

180 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all


Oh dear, how tragic.

Aftershox

397 posts

157 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
IMO looks superb, much better than the standard M-lite version. Black packs do wonderful things...!

flukey5

403 posts

59 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
So basically the same as the standard, just with the boomer-tier chrome trim removed in place of gloss black.

How many times does this eye-sore have to be posted? Are you trying to make us accustomed to terrible car design so we bash on it less? hahaha.

I really can't imagine why you'd want to be seen in one of these.

Edited by flukey5 on Friday 5th June 10:21

TheOrangePeril

778 posts

179 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
Is it me or do the arches look a bit weedy? Standard car has no shoulder at all, looks v flat and narrow. Would've thought they'd beef it up a bit more than this...

Uncle John

4,270 posts

190 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
That grille though, looks like a couple of dog crates.

knebworth01

160 posts

119 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
I know it has been said 1000 times, but, it really does look rubbish with that front end.
What the hell are they thinking. Its not even quirky or eccentric, its just bad!
I'm sure they'll sell them though as its got the right badge for some people.

sidesauce

2,456 posts

217 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
flukey5 said:
So basically the same as the standard, just with the boomer-tier chrome trim removed in place of gloss black.

How many times does this eye-sore have to be posted? Are you trying to make us accustomed to terrible car design so we bash on it less? hahaha.
Here's the thing - BMW simply do not care what anyone on this forum thinks.

The Z3M, when it came out, attracted similar derision - I personally thought it was ugly then and is ugly now. Apparently though, to say that nowadays is forbidden. I guess this car will go the same way.

Salamura

522 posts

80 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
Just when I thought that the 4 series can't look any worse, they somehow made it look even more ghastly. The man who signed-off that design needs to be shot.

Krikkit

26,500 posts

180 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
sidesauce said:
The Z3M, when it came out, attracted similar derision - I personally thought it was ugly then and is ugly now. Apparently though, to say that nowadays is forbidden. I guess this car will go the same way.
The breadvan was always a bit marmite, personally I've always liked it, but I can totally understand why you wouldn't.

This is a response to the Chinese market - they want more "brand identity" in their cars, and all the players have started pushing their designs to be more obvious. Unfortunately for BMW this means more than just putting a big badge on it, it means going full beaver.

Might work for them, but to everyone else it's just a gauche monstrosity.

Mark_Blanchard

745 posts

254 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
Beyond ghastly. It makes the Ford Edsel look nice.

JRaj

63 posts

72 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
My my my... It's gone a bit Pete Tong.

Augustus Windsock

3,340 posts

154 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
Note to editor;
I’d just had my breakfast and this made me throw up in my mouth;
PLEASE put a ‘Health Warning’ at the lead of the page, there may be children looking at these pictures...
It’s a shame that BMW didn’t put even a black bar across the grill a little like Ford did with the Focus RS, to break up that gopping grill

V88Dicky

7,302 posts

182 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
fk me that's fking goppingly hideous rofl

Leon R

3,182 posts

95 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
The blacked out grill makes the car look worse........

Buttons76

23 posts

46 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
are they forgetting that the E46 had a bulge?

Anyway, it doesn't matter what people think, this will sell regardless and they know that

Terminator X

14,921 posts

203 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
Krikkit said:


Oh dear, how tragic.
fking hell, worse than you could ever imagine yikes

TX.

flukey5

403 posts

59 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
sidesauce said:
ere's the thing - BMW simply do not care what anyone on this forum thinks.

The Z3M, when it came out, attracted similar derision - I personally thought it was ugly then and is ugly now. Apparently though, to say that nowadays is forbidden. I guess this car will go the same way.
Mainly because as enthusiasts we talk a lot more than we buy cars, unfortunately. I've always thought the Z3M was ugly and still do, and I will continue to point and laugh at BMW X6 and Mercedes GLE 'Coupe' owners, but sadly they have the money to buy those hideous cars and I do not.

Everyone moans about china, but the British public too value brands above all else and continue to purchase Porches in droves while ignoring Alpine, Lotus and the new Supra despite media hype.

Doesn't mean I won't exercise my right to judge them wink

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

197 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
V88Dicky said:
fk me that's fking goppingly hideous rofl
Come over to the C63 or RS5 alternatives job done much nicer looking cars than as you say hopping.

cerb4.5lee

Original Poster:

30,186 posts

179 months

Friday 5th June 2020
quotequote all
Buttons76 said:
are they forgetting that the E46 had a bulge?
You often hear that bigger is better...and the E46 only had a small bonnet bulge...whereas the E92 had a much bigger bonnet bulge! biggrin

I'm not sure that bigger front grills are better though! frown