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BMW M3 and M4 revealed at Detroit motor show; full details on the M4 coupe and its M3 saloon sibling

The BMW M3 and M4 have been revealed at the Detroit motor show today.

The BMW M3 returns as a saloon only, and with turbocharged six-cylinder power for the very first time. The adoption of turbo power dispenses with 26 years of BMW M division tradition of using high-revving naturally aspirated engines for the M3.

The new 425bhp four-door M3 saloon will be joined from the outset of sales this year by the M4, a mechanically identical but stylistically sleeker two-door coupé previewed in lightly veiled concept car guise at the Pebble Beach concours in California in August.

UK sales for both cars are set to begin in May. The M3 will cost from £56,175 and the M4 from £56,635.

At the heart of BMW’s latest M3 and its more sporting M4 sibling is a brand-new twin-turbocharged, direct-injected  in-line six-cylinder petrol engine. The 3.0-litre unit is based around BMW’s familiar ‘N55’ engine, with an 84.0mm bore and 89.6mm stroke. But such are the changes to the aluminium block, cylinder head, induction and exhaust systems and internal architecture that BMW describes it as being all new.

BMW’s M division is talking up the engine’s patented induction process, known under the title ‘M TwinPower Turbo’. It eschews the twin-scroll principle of BMW’s regular engines for a system that uses two low-inertia turbos running a maximum 1.3bar of boost and has an innovative water-to-air intercooler system mounted atop the engine. 

Weight-saving features, such as a magnesium sump, allow the new engine to tip the scales 10kg under that of its predecessor at 205kg.

With 425bhp from 5500rpm to 7300rpm and 405lb ft of torque between 1850rpm and 5500rpm, the twin-turbo six delivers 11bhp and 110lb ft more than the naturally aspirated 4.0-litre V8 that it succeeds.

An impressive 143bhp per litre — 38bhp per litre more than its predecessor through the effects of forced induction — also gives it the highest specific output of any series-production M division engine.

With Valvetronic variable valve timing and Double Vanos continuously variable camshaft timing tech, the six-cylinder unit revs to 7600rpm — 600rpm less than the old V8.

The new straight six, codenamed ‘S55 B30’, is billed as the most powerful series-production engine to find its way into the M3. It is also the smallest-capacity engine used by M division since the discontinuation of the first-generation M3 and its naturally aspirated 2.3-litre four-cylinder powerplant, the ‘S14 B23’, in 1991.

In combination with BMW’s efforts to lighten the M3 and M4 through the use of new lightweight materials, the added reserves improve the power-to-weight ratio of the M3 by 22bhp per tonne over its four-door predecessor to 280bhp per tonne. The M4 also improves by 22bhp per tonne over the outgoing M3 coupé to 284bhp per tonne. By comparison, the latest Porsche 911 Carrera S has 283bhp per tonne.

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Channelling drive to the rear wheels is a standard six-speed manual gearbox. The Getrag-produced unit has been developed from scratch and is claimed to be 12kg lighter than the outgoing unit. Among its innovations is dry-sump lubrication, a double-plate clutch to handle the added torque loading, carbon-ceramic friction linings within the synchroniser rings and a blip function on downshifts. The individual ratios are also shorter than before.

Buyers will be able to choose an optional seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission (DCT), again from Getrag, with remote paddle shifters. A development of the M5’s unit, it allows the driver to choose between manual and auto modes. Further features include launch control and a so-called smoky burnout setting, which permits a degree of wheelspin at low speeds. To help improve on-the-limit handling, it also receives stability clutch control, which opens the clutches when sensors detect understeer to reduce drive and bring it back on line.

Both gearboxes receive a stop-start function, brake energy regeneration and optimum shift indicator. Official figures reveal that DCT versions have a 40kg penalty, with the DCT-equipped M3 tipping the scales at 1560kg and the M4 at 1537kg.

In a new driveline development, the new M3 and M4 adopt a carbonfibre-reinforced plastic propshaft. Constructed as a single component with no centre bearing, it is claimed to bring a 40 per cent weight saving on the previous M3’s steel driveshaft while providing a reduction in rotating masses for better driveline efficiency.

The new driveshaft is allied to hollow output shafts at the rear within the Active M differential, which uses an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch to provide a varying degree of lock-up.

With an official 0-62mph time of 4.3sec in standard six-speed manual guise, the new M3 and M4 are 0.5sec quicker than their predecessors. The seven-speed DCT drops the 0-62mph time to 4.1sec. Top speed is limited to 155mph, although it can be raised to 174mph as an option.

Official figures point to a combined 32.1mpg in manual guise and 34.0mpg with the DCT gearbox. This results in CO2 emissions of 204g/km for the manual and 194g/km for the DCT. The figures for previous M3 saloon and coupé were 22.7mpg and 290g/km in manual guise and 25.2mpg and 263g/km in DCT form.

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The new M3 and M4 rely on the same basic high-strength steel platform as the standard 3-series and 4-series. However, they have a largely bespoke chassis, with reduced ride height and wider tracks. The front track is up by 34mm to 1579mm and the rear is 18mm wider, at 1603mm.

The suspension — a traditional MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear set-up — has also been extensively reworked. It has lightweight components and new mounting processes that are claimed to have reduced unsprung masses and significantly boosted rigidity over the outgoing M3.

Key changes include the adoption of a substantial carbonfibre strut brace, aluminium control arms and subframes up front, bringing about a 5kg reduction in weight. The rear has also been extensively revised with aluminium control arms and an axle that is bolted directly to body without the use of rubber bushings, saving 3kg.

The suspension supports standard 18-inch wheels — nine inches wide up front and 10 inches wide at the rear. They come shod with 255/40 front and 275/40 rear tyres. Buyers can also choose optional 19-inch wheels.

The new M3 and M4 have an electro-mechanical steering system with a Servotronic function that adjust the level of assistance according to speed. Developed with ZF, it also offers the driver a choice of three modes: Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus.

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Smilerforce 15 December 2013

Deranged rover

There's always someone that stirs the comments chatting utter rubbish. RRs need more luxurious seats to accommodate the stereo-typically short arsed rotund frames of the average driver. I would never call BMW exciting interiors , but cheap plastic is not on the horizon at all even in the '£16000 114i'. It follows the stereotypical German form and function. That button will last a billion miles and still keep be within an acceptable colour range with in 20 years of motoring. If it didn't it just wouldn't be BMW. I don't quite get where BMW have cut 'massive' corners. The M car is primarily about driver experience in the most ultimate way.. Not the ultimate climax over car interiors. If you want to climax up the M3 or 4 get on the BMW options list and ask them to make it like range rover.
madmac 14 December 2013

Agree with most of the

Agree with most of the comments made.It is Form vs Function.You cannot compare RR and an M3.I would rather actually have cloth seats,they grip better and are warmer/cooler than leather.I do like the look of the new M3 and it is purposeful.I will be trying it out and comparing it with the new C AMG for my next car.Last time around I chose the C63 .Why? Much better interior! but also $10000 cheaper than similarly equiped M3.Bottom line though it sounded better and was much faster,Blew the M3 in to the weeds.M3 a bit better in fine handling but we do not drive on tracks.C63 has been a superb Daily Driver for 4 1/2 years.4Matic C AMG will be hard to beat but this M3 in the blue looks lovely,and I like the sport seats.
david RS 13 December 2013

M => no turbo!

M => no turbo!