Christmas comes early as BMW unveils new M3, M4 models

Christmas has come early for petrol heads. The latest version of the world’s best-selling sports car — nearly 40 000 of the last generation of M3s were built — has been unveiled along with the new M4 coupe.

Following its new nomenclature, BMW will not offer a performance coupe wearing the M3 badge. Instead, as with its siblings, the sedan will carry the M3 badge and the coupe will be badged as an M4.

The new models are powered by a high-revving, twin-turbo inline six-cylinder engine producing 321kW and 550Nm of torque and mated to with a 6-speed manual transmission or 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission. Fitted with the 7-speed M-DCT system, both cars will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

Modern racing technology
The modern sports car market is a competitive place, and BMW enlisted its finest engineers from deep within the ///M division to develop the two models. BMW also had 2012 DTM champion Bruno Spengler and ex-Formula 1 driver, now BMW DTM racer Timo Glock help hone and focus the M3 and M4.

The engineers’ first project was the engine, which has shrunk from a 4.0l V8 to a 3.0l straight-six with the M TwinPower Turbo layout. A lighter engine with cleaner emissions, BMW ///M engineers have increased the power from 309kW to 321kW and torque has been increased from 400Nm to a 550Nm.

This is achieved through clever use of the M TwinPower Turbo technology which comprises of two mono-scroll turbochargers (rather than the TwinScroll system on the early BMW turbo models), are aided by a variable valve timing system. This VALVETRONIC system, attached to a Double-VANOS camshaft, allows the engine to adjust its valve timing throughout the rev range. This results in a smoother, sharper and more continuous power delivery when driving aggressively, and reduced fuel consumption and emissions when operating in urban environments.

The powertrain is attached to an Active M Differential, the same system fitted to the M5 and M6, to optimise traction during performance driving through an electronically controlled multi-plate limited slip differential.

“As a race driver, I’m very impressed by the instant, lag-free response from the two turbos as soon you step on the gas. This is a sensational feature of this engine which translates to more fun at the wheel and is perfect for sporty driving.” — Bruno Spengler, 2012 DTM Champion on the six-in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology

To maintain the high performance figures demanded by sports car owners, the engineers at BMW ///M needed to minimize the weight of the M3 and M4 without losing any of the modern comforts that drivers demand.

Simply stripping the car out like a track special is not acceptable. On the outgoing model, coupe models had a carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer or CFRP roof. The CFRP roof is now available on both the M4 coupe and the M3 sedan, saving 4 and 6kgs respectively.

Other components manufactured from CFRP include the propeller shaft, strut braces and a number of suspension components resulting in a total weight saving of 80kgs over the more sedate 3-Series and 4-Series models.

A number of optional extras are available to optimise your M3 sedan or M4 coupe to heighten the performance. An optional M-Drivers pack adds a number of suspension tweaks and raises the speed limiter to 280km/h. The BMW M Laptimer App allows drivers to monitor their performance around a track and view corner-by-corner information on the iDrive system.

Finally, to ensure drivers’ eyes never leave the road, the Head-Up Display on the M3 and M4 comes with additional M-specific functions like gear display, rev counter and shift indicator.

The M3 and M4 will be launched on the international market in May.