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M4 coupé, cabriolet and Gran Coupé models will share their basic structure and new turbocharged 3.0-litre six-pot engine

These are the first spy pics of the new BMW M4 model, which will replace BMW’s existing M3 coupé and cabriolet. Also planned is a swoopy four-door 4-series Gran Coupé. 

The new M4 name follows BMW’s decision to axe the 3-series badge in favour of 4-series for next-generation versions of its 3-series-based coupé and cabriolet. The decision to give the two-door models their own unique positioning will allow BMW to charge a premium as a result. The strategy is mirrored with the 5-series and 6-series models.

M4 coupé, cabriolet and Gran Coupé models will share their basic structure and new turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine with the M3 saloon. The former two are due to be launched in late 2014, with the Gran Coupé set for a launch some time in 2015.

Both the M4 coupé and Gran Coupé models will take weight saving further than on the M3 by adopting a carbonfibre roof, something that’s also designed to provide the cars with the lowest possible centre of gravity.

While the extended 3-series line-up will feature four full-blown M models, it is not clear if BMW M will rework its smaller models. The latest 1-series line-up is also due for expansion with a new four-door saloon. But, like the 1-series hatchback, there will be no full-blown M model; instead an M Performance version is likely to use the same 316bhp 3.0-litre straight-six engine as the upcoming M135i hatchback.

As with the 3-series range, next-generation 1-series coupé and cabriolet models will get distinctive badging with the creation of the 2-series. BMW M is known to be more receptive to creating an M2, which could mark a first for a modern M car by getting a four-cylinder engine as M further experiments with downsizing.

 

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New name, new engine and two turbos and even a much needed facelift, the main question lingers - can the BMW M4 grab the initiative off of the Mercedes-AMG C 63 Coupé

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Peter Cavellini 24 July 2012

Dilluting the product?

I think so, M cars 1 through 8?,going to be hard to make them all individual, not step into each others territory,will punters buy into it?,just a few questions that need answering.

Symanski 23 July 2012

What's in a name?

Why breaking the connection from the 3 series?   Simple - so that they can update each model at different times.   Rather than having to update the 3 series saloon and coupe at the same time this allows BMW to keep selling the 4 series long after the next time the 3 gets a make over. 

That's not to say it's a bad thing for us motorists, but rather that those journalists seem to be missing the point!   Again....

Kiernan 23 July 2012

Autocar "As with the 3-series

Autocar "As with the 3-series range, next-generation 1-series coupé and cabriolet models will get distinctive badging with the creation of the 2-series. BMW M is known to be more receptive to creating an M2, which could mark a first for an M car by getting a four-cylinder engine as M further experiments with downsizing."

Who'd have thought BMW would ever do an M car with a four cylinder engine?  That's never been done before (cough, cough).

Seriously, does anyone check these articles before they're published?

zetapiscium 24 July 2012

@Kiernan

Sorry, but the first M3 had a 4 cylinders engine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M3#The_E30_M3_road_car

It was amasing.