2014 BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe officially unleashed

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

2014 BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe officially unleashed

 

Public debut in January at NAIAS

The highly anticipated 2014 BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe have finally been revealed online, ahead of their public debut scheduled for next month at NAIAS in Detroit.

At their heart is an inline-six high-revving TwinPower Turbo 3.0-liter engine delivering 431 HP (317 kW) and a maximum torque of 406 lb-ft (550 Nm). Compared to the outgoing generation, the new M3 is approximately 25 percent more fuel efficient and is around 80 kg (176 lbs) lighter. The CFRP roof brings weight savings of 5 kg (11 lbs) for the sedan and more than 6 kg (13 lbs) for the coupe. BMW says the cars will do 26.7 mpg US (32.1 mpg UK or 8.8 liters / 100 km) in the combined cycle with the manual and 28.3 mpg US (34 mpg UK or 8.3 liters / 100 km) with the DCT.

BMW's engineers reworked the MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension by using lightweight components which have reduced unsprung masses and increased rigidity at the same time. The M3 and M4 ride as standard of 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped around in 255/40 front and 275/40 rear tires, while optionally available are larger 19-inch rims.

Both cars will do 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 4.1 seconds when fitted the optional 7-speed M DCT or 4.3s with the standard six-speed manual gearbox. Top speed will be electronically limited to 155 mph (250 km/h) but for more money the limiter can be raised at 174 mph (280 km/h) once the client orders the M Driver's Package.

The aforementioned seven-speed M DCT comes with launch control and a "smokey burnout" mode that allows a certain degree of wheel spin at low speeds, a similar feature which will allegedly be available for the new Ford Mustang as well. Stopping power will be provided by standard compound brakes or optional lighter BMW M carbon ceramic brakes.

The new BMW M3 Sedan will be manufactured in Regensburg while the M4 Coupe is going to be assembled in Munich. Both cars will get their first public outing next month at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Memphis]

Now those are nice cars!

[Guest]

First time I thought the interior matched the exterior in terms of good looks of a BMW.  Always found them to be pretty basic. Will never be able to afford an M3 though :(

[Soldiers33]

Its a very nice car, but to be honest looks exactly like a 3 series. Apart from the m3 badge, I wouldnt notice the difference. I still prefer the m3 like the one in nfs most wanted. Thats the best car.

[Draconian Guppy]

man gotta love inline 6

[what]

Its a very nice car, but to be honest looks exactly like a 3 series. Apart from the m3 badge, I wouldnt notice the difference. I still prefer the m3 like the one in nfs most wanted. Thats the best car.

 

With all due respect, it's not going to look like a 6 series is it?

 

BMW have certainly diluted the M brand with latest M-Sport bodykits available on any 3-series, but this M3 still has some unique personality. The power bulge on the bonnet can't really be missed and the quad pipes and yellow callipers are distinctive. 

[AJerman]

Am I the only one that isn't a fan? I guess so. Looks kind of ugly to me. Okay, ugly may not be the right word, but I prefer the E92s.

[tsupersonic]

With all due respect, it's not going to look like a 6 series is it?

 

BMW have certainly diluted the M brand with latest M-Sport bodykits available on any 3-series, but this M3 still has some unique personality. The power bulge on the bonnet can't really be missed and the quad pipes and yellow callipers are distinctive. 

Well, the other German manufacturers seems to be doing that also. Mercedes offers AMG styling packages to non-AMG cars, and Audi offers the S-line package. 

 

This is the beauty of most AMG/M/RS models - there are subtle changes to the normal variants. They are disguised luxury "sleepers" but don't ever try to race one in a normal car :P Car enthusiasts will know exactly what it is, but to the untrained eye, it's just another 3/4 series. 

 

I have seen this earlier this week and I love these cars. I am thinking about getting rid of my F30 335 for a M4. 

[The Evil Overlord]

man gotta love inline 6

I'll raise you quad cam v6 :P

[Raa]

Mmmmm. Okay, maybe I do want to upgrade... :P

[0nyX]

The design team in BMW starts to remind me of the one in Porsche, in terms of boredom, originality and new ideas.

[The Evil Overlord]

The design team in BMW starts to remind me of the one in Porsche, in terms of boredom, originality and new ideas.

In fairness, that's BMW in a nutshell, historically all of their cars look like smaller or larger versions of a different number model in their range

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

The design team in BMW starts to remind me of the one in Porsche, in terms of boredom, originality and new ideas.

 

When it comes to their "formula", the BMW spirit, they hit the nail right on the head in the 90's imho. They've been evolving this formula since then. 

 

If a product is highly rated by the consumers and sells really well - it's pretty stupid to change it, don't you agree?

 

It'd be like... if Apple were to completely revamp their eco-system and UI with each new generation. 

[what]

The design team in BMW starts to remind me of the one in Porsche, in terms of boredom, originality and new ideas.

 

Mercedes, Audi and VW are the same. They all have a huge range of cars to fill every niche, and they have to keep the brand styling together somehow. Massive jumps in design don't happen overnight when you have so many models.