Categories
BMW

This definitely is the new BMW M4

BMW M4 prototype

Following the leaked image of the BMW M4 Concept comes this spy photo of an M4 prototype. Just stop and look at it, take it in for a moment.

In that all black prototype get up it looks sensational, don’t you think. Thankfully, with minimal disguise, it’s now much easier to appreciate the shape and stance of the M4. Check out the rear guard. Maybe it’s the just the lighting and reflections of the photo, but it just looks phat!

While we hope the new M3/M4 will debut at Frankfurt in a few weeks, don’t be surprised if we have to wait until Detroit at the start of 2014.

[Source: WCF]

Categories
BMW

Is this the new BMW M4?

BMW M4 Concept

You’re looking at a concept version of the all-new BMW M4. At least that’s the claim from Belgian website Auto55 who also says the F82-based M4 Concept will be on show in Frankfurt next month.

If nothing else it is the same colour as the car featured in the official video preview we got from BMW earlier in the week.

There’s no mention of performance specs, so we’re still expecting the new M3/M4 to be powered by an twin-turbo inline six cylinder with around 335kW (450hp).

[Source: Auto55]

Categories
BMW

M3 watch: First official teaser

They’ve not given us much to go on but this 18 second video from BMW’s M people is the first official preview of the upcoming M3/M4. Well, we’re saying it’s for the M3, BMW just says they’re “preparing something new”.

It’s expected BMW will release details for the F80 M3 and F82 M4 in the next few months. Hmm, there’s only a few weeks until the Frankfurt Motor Show. Too soon?

Categories
BMW

M3 watch: It’s gonna be a lightweight

F82 BMW M4 rendering by WildSpeed

More news from BMW on the new F80 M3/F82 M4 comes to us via Top Gear who interviewed Matt Collins, BMW UK Product Manager for the 3 Series (among other things), at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The good news is Collins confirmed the dietary plans for the new M icon, which will start life as a coupé and therefore debut the M4 naming. “What we’d like is more focus on lightweight engineering,” he said. “The philosophy will be around delivering performance through improved used of materials—lightweight alloys, lots of carbon fibre etc—rather than simply trying to make the engine more powerful to move the same kind of car, or scaling it back too far so that it loses its M3 roots.”

While there are no current plans for BMW to make another CSL, Collins did offer some insight into how serious they are with this new lightweight approach. “I think we’re really focusing on making this car as light as we can,” he said. “We’re not going to go halfway house with the ‘real’ car, because we’d like to get it as low as possible in the first place. The proper car will showcase a real reduction in weight.

“There are no plans at the moment to build a lightweight CSL version of the M4, but there weren’t any plans to do the last generation CSL either. We have to see what the customers think, and if there’s potential for an even more lightweight version, we’ll do it.”

We like the sound of all that. Although, it has to be said the outgoing E92 was around 1580kg, so there is scope for some weight loss. And pencil in a CSL-inspired model at some stage. It wouldn’t be like BMW to miss out on the chance of exploiting a niche market opportunity.

Also pleasing, although not surprising to hear is the lengths BMW is going to protect its enviable position in the high-powered mid-szie sports coupé market. “It’s not something we’re in a rush to market just to get it out, because it’s got to be as good as it can possibly be,” Collins added. “We think the M3 is the benchmark car; it’s the iconic car, and it’s the one that really defines the segment. It’s about making what we think is the best car in the segment even better. It’s not a competitor-focused development.”

[Source: Top Gear | Rendering: Wild Speed]

Categories
BMW

BMW 4 Series Coupe revealed

F32 BMW 4 Series Coupe

BMW has now released a full suite of information and images for its all-new F32 4 Series Coupe. Based on the F30 3 Series saloon the Coupe has a slightly restyled front to help emphasise the width of the car.

In profile and three-quarter view the 4 Series has a long bonnet and almost liftback-like appearance to the rear. This didn’t seem as apparent to us on the Concept 4 Series Coupe revealed late last year. Overall we think the production 4 Series looks pretty good, although the front edge of the bonnet does have a droopiness to it that we’d like to see in person before forming a finite opinion.

At launch you can have the 4er in three specifications. Starting with the four-cylinder turbo 420d, you’ll have 135kW/350Nm on tap. If you’d prefer petrol power you can have either the 180kW/350Nm four-cylinder turbo 428i or the range-topping 435i powered by BMW’s much loved turbocharged 3.0 litre straight six producing 225kW/400Nm.

There’s another 70 photos waiting for you after the break, including a handful of pics showing the M Sport kit. That will give us a small taste of what to expect for the highly anticipated M4. In addition to the pics we’ve also given you access to the full 36 page press kit.

Categories
BMW

BMW to introduce 2 and 4 Series nomenclature

BMW 3 Series

We’ve already brought you up to speed on the likely plans BMW has to call the next 1 Series coupé/convertible the 2 Series; including new M2 badging. Now it seems the 3 Series two-doors are in for the same plus one treatment with word filtering around the internets they will be called the 4 Series.

It’s a move that loosely follows their German rivals, in particular Audi, who have introduced the A5 Coupé and Sportback to complement its volume selling A4 range.

BMW’s marketing gurus will love it, as they will be able to position the new 2 and 4 Series models slightly above their more mundane four-door siblings and, of course, that means they can charge more too.

The new naming regime should begin in 2013 with the 2 Series (replacing the 1 Series coupé) closely followed by the 4 Series (replacing the 3 Series coupé).