BMW M3 and M4 officially revealed | New Release - Car News Dec 2013

11:22 Thursday 12 Dec 2013

The new BMW M3 and M4 have been officially revealed ahead of their planned debuts at the Detroit Motor Show next month.

The announcement comes just a day after images of the new cars were leaked online.

Both the M3 (below left) and M4 (below right) will go on sale here in the UK next June, with prices starting from £56,653 for the M3 and £56,175 for the M4.

Underneath, both cars will be fitted with 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged straight-six engine in place of the naturally-aspirated 4.0-litre V8 fitted to the old model. Power has increased from 414bhp to 425bhp -- an impressive 143bhp per litre -- and weight is down by 80kg. As a result, the 0-62mph time for both cars is down from 4.6 seconds to 4.1 seconds with the optional seven-speed DCT dual-clutch gearbox. Cars fitted with the standard six-speed manual will hit 62mph in 4.3 seconds.

Not only are the performance figures impressive, but the engine should also be more flexible than before, with 406lb-ft of torque available from just 1800rpm. Maximum power, on the other hand, arrives high up the rev range with the full 431bhp coming between 5,500rpm and 7,300rpm.

Both cars are capable of returning 32.1mpg in manual guise and 34.0mpg with the DCT gearbox, with CO2 emissions of 204g/km for the manual and 194g/km for the DCT -- a vast improvement over 22.7mph and 290g/km of the outgoing manual M3.

Part of the reason for the improved efficiency of the new car is weight saving. There is more carbon-fibre in the M3 and M4 than ever before, with parts of the bodywork, the strut brace under the bonnet and even the prop shaft made from the material.

Along with the choice between manual and automatic gearboxes, the M3 and M4 also get Launch Control, which features a 'Smokey Burnout', an Active M differential and an M Dynamic Mode in the traction control which allows for lots of sideways action while still keeping the car in check. There's also a new Stability Clutch Control system, which opens the clutch when sensors detect understeer to reduce power to the wheels and bring the car back in line.

On the outside, the M3 and M4 are distinguished from lesser models in the range by a new bodykit and the obligatory smattering of M-badges. Inside, there's an M leather steering wheel, bespoke seats inspired by racing bucket seats and, again, a proliferation of M badges.

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