Two M badge vehicles are here to fire up our roads – the all-new BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupé.
It is the first time the Coupe enters at the same time as the four-door Sedan. You will remember that from its current edition, the BMW 3 series coupe was renamed as the BMW 4 series, which explains the badge M4 as well. Separated at birth, it’s hard to tell the difference unless you count the doors or notice the slightly broader and angular tail lamps of the M4 as well as its lip spoiler.
Low-slung and broad-set, the new siblings flaunt large air intakes and Air Curtains at the front end, exposed carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and aluminium body components, and the diffuser at the muscular rear end. They aren’t just design flourishes but active participants in improved aerodynamics, track-competitive cooling and weight saving of around 80 kg, aided by their carbon roof too.
The high-revving six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology newly developed for these entry-level M models has a maximum output of 431 hp and peak torque of 550 Newton metres (406 lb-ft), which is 17 hp and 150 Nm more than the earlier V8 engine. Surprisingly, fuel consumption and emissions have been lowered by around 25 per cent. Both the BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe cover the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds (with the optional seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission).
