Autoblog

BMW M4 sheds some camouflage for latest test run

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, BMW, Luxury

Last time we saw the upcoming BMW M4 out testing, it was heavily clad with camouflage and decidedly homely looking (as most early development mules are). But in this latest set of photos, the M3 coupe successor has started to come into its own skin, and we're seeing a shape more closely akin to that of a rendering we brought you a few months back.

Unsurprisingly, the M4 coupe looks very similar to the 4 Series Concept that BMW debuted at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year. And while non-M version of the 4er will likely look a bit more sedate, these spy shots clearly show an aggressive front fascia, large wheels and the usual quad-exhaust rounding out the rear end.

Naturally, the M3 sedan will launch before this M4 coupe (and convertible), and powertrain details are still unclear as of this writing. We understand that the current M3's naturally aspirated V8 will be axed in favor of some sort of turbocharged six-cylinder engine, and we've heard plenty of rumors as to what, exactly, it might be, but we have yet to hear any official confirmation.

The 4 Series will launch later this year as a 2014 model, and we expect the M4 to follow suit about one year later as a 2015 model.

BMW M4 sheds some camouflage for latest test run originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The 2014 BMW M4 might look this good

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 11:14:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, BMW, Design/Style

Once BMW unveiled its all-new 4 Series coupe, we knew it wouldn't take long for digital renderings of the more powerful M4 version to hit the Internet. F30Post worked with digital artist Wild Speed to create some really great renderings of the upcoming M4, and also compiled a good amount of information based on sources and educated hunches.

While it doesn't take much to imagine what the M4 will look like based on the styling of current M cars and recent spy shots, these renders finally give us something to ogle at until the car finally arrives. New cues include the more aggressive front fascia, bulging hood, carbon roof and bigger wheels and brakes. Wild Speed was also kind enough to show images in a spectrum of shiny colors.

As for the car's details, the article expects the M4 to be lighter, faster and more efficient than the current M3 using a "multi-turbo" inline-six engine producing somewhere around 395 pound-feet of torque. The M3 sedan could go on sale by the middle of 2014, but the M4 coupe isn't expected to hit the scene for another couple years.

The 2014 BMW M4 might look this good originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Dec 2012 11:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Here's your first look at the BMW 3 Series coupe, in M4 guise

Jeff Sabatini — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, BMW

As we all look forward to the F30 2012 BMW 3 Series spawning its forthcoming coupe bodystyle as well as a new M3, today's treat is a bit of both. Our spy shooters caught this car testing in Europe, which is clearly an M version of the 3 Series coupe.

The wheels and quad exhaust are a dead giveaway that this is no ordinary 3, and of course, the scuttlebutt is that BMW is going to call the 3 Series coupe the 4 Series, making the M3 replacement actually the M4. BMW has reportedly confirmed that the current M3's V8 is going to be replaced with a turbo'ed inline six in the F30 M cars. The expectation is that the M3 will launch before the M4, given that BMW has yet to even bring the 4 Series to market.

Check out all the images in our gallery.

Here's your first look at the BMW 3 Series coupe, in M4 guise originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jul 2012 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New BMW M3 to come in sedan form first

Noah Joseph — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, BMW, Luxury

Typically, when BMW releases a new M3, it launches it in coupe form first. (In fact, sales of the M3 sedan have, in North America at least, slowed to such an extent that BMW NA was tempted to stop bringing it here altogether.) But not the new model - according to the latest intel, the next-gen M3 will arrive in four-door guise first.

Sources indicate a couple of reasons for that: First, the new 3 Series (pictured above in M Sport guise) on which it'll be based has so far has only come out in sedan form. Second, because the next-gen M3 is anticipated to lose some of its edge. Which would be a shame, but there's a far more straightforward reason than either of those two: there will be no coupe or convertible M3 from here on out.

Well, sorta. There will be, only it won't be called the M3. It'll probably be called the M4, since BMW is said to be spinning the two-door version of the 3 Series off into a 4 Series - more closely mirroring the 5 Series sedan and its coupe/convertible counterpart, the 6 Series. Since BMW has yet to unveil the 4 Series, we're likely to be looking at an M3 sedan first.

We expect it'll have a twin-turbo six-cylinder engine in place of the outgoing model's naturally aspirated V8, but the jury's still out on whether those pistons will be arranged in a V or a straight line.

New BMW M3 to come in sedan form first originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW M3 GT4 to campaign in Nurburgring 24-hour enduro

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, BMW

BMW M3 GT4 - Click above for a high-res image gallery

BMW is far and away the most prolific automaker at the annual 24-hour Nurburgring race, with 114 class victories over the event's 29-year history and almost one-third of last year's field comprised of Bimmers. This year, BMW's Customer Racing program will partner with Schubert Motorsport to bring out a BMW M3 GT4 to campaign in the GT4 class, with FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) drivers Agusto Farfus, Jorg Muller and Andy Priaulx joining two journalists from German magazine Sport Auto.

The M3 GT4, which benefits from all the race-ready hardware you'd expect in a vehicle prepped for a 24-hour enduro, made its debut at last weekend's ADAC Westfalenfahrt at the 'Ring, taking the win in the SP10 class and finishing 30th overall. The M3 will be back at the Nordschleife for the 24 hour race the weekend of May 23 and 24.

Gallery: BMW M3 GT4

BMW M3 GT4 to campaign in Nurburgring 24-hour enduro originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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