BMW presents the all-new M4 Coupe, priced from $65,125

BMW revealed the arrival of the new M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe models. The new models were built on the principle of capitalizing on the strengths of both the Series 3 sedan models and Series 4 coupe. These new models highlight achievements in engineering, like reducing the curb weight and being able to go toe-to-toe with corners, hills, and even braking zones.

The release is expected to secure the company’s position as the leading market leader.

The M3 sedan and M4 coupe debuted during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in 2014 with sales starting this 2015. The M3 has a starting MSRP of $62,925 while the M4 starts at $65,125, though it already includes the destination & handling fee valued at $925. As previously mentioned, the inline-6 engine with M TwinPower Turbo allows for 425 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of maximum torque.

This enables the new models to exceed the power of its predecessors by 40%. Even with this much power, the engine is fuel efficient and reduces emissions by as much as 25%. With the 6-speed manual transmission, the M3 and M4 can go from 0 to 60 in 4.1 seconds but the 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission allows the M3 and M4 to lower this to 3.9 seconds.

In order to balance the efficiency with the dynamic ability, the weight of the new models was lowered by 80 kilograms compared to its predecessors. Both models use a carbon roof and some of the body components and chassis are made of aluminum and carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic.

The use of these lightweight materials has resulted in the M4 having a DIN curb weight of almost 1,500 kilograms. In manufacturing the M3 and M4, BMW made sure that it can be driven on the streets but on race tracks as well. Thus to make sure that the right temperature balance is maintained between the engine, transmission, and turbochargers, a track-specification cooling system was installed.

Another important feature of the two models is that it is aerodynamic and this was achieved by having a powerfully sculpted front apron and smooth underbody. For the M3 Sedan, a Gurney spoiler was attached at the rear while the M4 Coupe has a spoiler lip integrated at its rear. This has enabled both cars to reduce the lift equally from the front and rear axle.

Head of Development at BMW M GmbH Albert Biermann said that since the air going in is channeled to the engine oil cooler, this resulted into what is known as the “Venturi Effect” which improves steering due to the reduction of the lift in the front axle.

To minimize the turbulence experienced by the front wheel, BMW added other parts like the M gills and Air Curtain and integrated this with the Air Breather rearwards. The mirrors also help with aerodynamics since it is designed in a twin-stalk style that reduced drag. These are just some of the many reasons why the M3 and M4 models are able to meet the challenges of a race track while still be ideal in everyday transport.

POWERTRAIN

Both the M3 and M4 carry the inline-6 3-liter engine that is lighter by 10 kilograms compared to its predecessors like the V-8, but retains the power.

The engine boasts of 425 horsepower with 5,500 to 7,300 rpm and maximum torque of 406 lb-ft with 1,850 to 5,500 rpm.

While it can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds using the standard 6-speed manual, BMW offers the option to have the M-DCT transmission, which can reduce the time to 3.9 seconds. 

PRESS RELEASE

The All-New BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe

BMW today announced the all-new BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe models, which capitalize on the strengths of the latest 3 Series Sedan and fresh 4 Series Coupe models as their respective foundations. As the first-ever BMW M cars to feature the achievement of an engineered-in reduction in curb weight from one generation to the next, the all-new M3 and M4 stand poised to attack corners, hills, and braking zones, and will vigorously defend BMW M’s decades-strong position as segment leader around the world.

Featuring a return to the inline-6 engine format made famous by BMW M, the all-new, 3.0-liter BMW M3 and M4 engine is approximately 10 kilograms lighter than its V-8 predecessor and packs an even stronger punch. With 425 horsepower from 5,500 – 7,300 rpm, 406 lb-ft of torque from 1,850 – 5,500 rpm, and capable of 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds when equipped with the M-DCT transmission (4.1 seconds with standard 6-speed manual), the all-new BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe will debut at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and will begin sales as 2015 models in early Summer, 2014.

The M4 Coupe will start with an MSRP of $65,125 and the M3 Sedan will start with an MSRP of $62,925. Both prices include $925 Destination & Handling fee.The high-revving, inline-6 engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology freshly developed for the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupe produces a maximum output of 425 hp. Its peak torque of406 lb-ft is available across a wide rev band and outstrips the figure recorded by the outgoing BMW M3 by roughly 40 percent. And yet the engine also achieves a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions of nearly 25 percent.

Both the BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe cover the sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds with the standard 6-speed manual transmission and even 3.9 seconds with the optional 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission.

In the interests of maximizing dynamic ability and ensuring excellent efficiency, weight savings of around 80 kilograms have been achieved over a comparably equipped predecessor model. The BMW M4 Coupe, for example, has a DIN curb weight of 1,497 kilograms, thanks to the rigorous application of intelligent lightweight design measures. These include the increased use of lightweight materials such as carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and aluminum for a number of chassis and body components.

Indeed, both models feature a carbon roof.One of the primary objectives in the development of the BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe was to ensure the new cars offered impressive race track capability. Hence the presence of a track-specification cooling system, which ensures that the optimum temperature balance for the engine, turbochargers and transmission is maintained at all times. The aerodynamics concept of BMW M GmbH models has always been one of the key elements in their development.

The engineers need to channel the air around the car to create the best possible platform for dynamic excellence, while also ensuring the engine, powertrain and brakes receive the requisite cooling even when operating under heavy loads on the race track.Details such as the powerfully formed front apron, smooth underbody and clearly defined Gurney spoiler at the rear of the M3 Sedan (or integrated spoiler lip at the rear of the BMW M4 Coupe) reduce lift by an equal degree at the front and rear axle and produce optimum handling attributes.

“The way in which we channel the inflowing air through the engine oil cooler creates a Venturi effect, which reduces front axle lift and, in so doing, improves the steering,” explains Albert Biermann, Head of Development BMW M GmbH. Elements like the Air Curtain and M gills with integrated Air Breather rearwards of the front wheels minimize turbulence in the front wheel arches.

Together with the aerodynamically optimized exterior mirrors in twin-stalk style, they are also highly distinctive design features of the BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe and help reduce drag. These examples underline in familiar fashion the success of M engineers in reconciling the requirements of everyday use with the demands of action on the race track.