Sporting Austin Yellow paint, this F82 M4 coupe has recently been seen driving around Munich. The M4 and the F80 M3 sedan are set for a world debut at the Detroit Auto Show on January 13. The M4 is the replacement for the E92 M3 coupe and M3 convertible models, while the new M3 is the four-door descendant of the E90 four-door M3. The cars are scheduled to hit showrooms as 2015 models sometime this summer.
BMW officially presented the first-generation M4 concept before and during Oktoberfest 2013 in Monterey, California, so many BMW CCA members were treated to showings in August. However, the concept car did not reveal any interior or technical details. We now know that the new BMW M4 will be powered by an M-built S55B30 engine, visually similar to the N54 twin-turbo engine, displacing three liters, with a 7,500-rpm redline. Although the S55 shares a number with the single-turbo N55 engine—successor to the N54—the S55 was engineered by M techs to be lighter and stronger; everything from the crankshaft to the oil pan has been specifically designed for the high-performance requirements of the redesigned M4/M3 chassis.
The engine will use two Mitsubishi mono-scroll turbochargers with boost peaking at 18.1 psi, producing 425 bhp and up to 406 pound-feet of torque. It will do 0–60 mph in 3.9 seconds with the optional seven-speed M-DCT transmission or 4.1 seconds with the standard six-speed manual. Lighter than the previous M3, it weighs in at just a bit over 3300 pounds. Weight is kept to a minimum through the use of carbon fiber in the drive shaft, roof, roof bow, trunk, and front strut brace, as well as extensive use of aluminum in the suspension.
An electric power steering unit will be used, which is sure to cause some concern among the BMW purists; however, the steering system will be specifically tuned for the M3 and M4. Another potential controversy may be caused by Active Sound, a live amplification of the engine's natural sound that will be inducted into the passenger cabin through the speakers. At least they will only use the read engine’s noise, and no artificial sounds. In total, 50 percent of the M4’s components will be standalone compared to the non-M, F32 4 Series.—Scott Blazey
Photos are courtesy of Autogespot.
