BMW REVEALS M3 AND M4 PROTOTYPES ON TRACK
High-performance M cars continue their development ahead of a mid-September debut with features to either loveorloathe
DESIGN
Much has already been said about the face of the BMW M3 and M4, but the controversial kidney-grille has been seen all over the web for months and some people are getting used to it now.
Apart from being super-big in size, horizontal slats are featuring in many forums, helping give the M3 and M4 a more macho and dynamic stance than those in “meshed” form.
Only a sedan body has been confirmed for the M3, unlike the Audi RS 4 and Mercedes-Benz C63 which can also be chosen in estate form. The M4, meanwhile, will not only come in coupe-style but also a convertible and four-door GranCoupe to match Audi’s three-model RS 5 range.
Two design elements in the M3 and M4 that will stick to tradition include winged side-view mirrors and quad exhaust pipes stacked closely together in the middle.
BMW says the M3 sedan and M4 coupe will make their world debut in mid-September.
DRIVING COCKPIT
Since the 3 Series sedan has been forming the basis for everything from the 4 Series Coupe to the M3 and M4, expect the familiar instrument panel with the rev-counter irritatingly turning counter-clockwise.
Another thing that might disappoint M fans is the steering wheel. For quite some time, BMW has been unnecessarily using fat-rimmed steering that doesn’t look cool or racy either. Today’s M2 is the last M car to use a previousgeneration version (which still looks nice on the eyes and is equally pleasant on the palms). This is exactly where rivals excel. Both the RS 4 and C63 from Mercedes-AMG employ some usefully bespoke steering wheels, which sets them apart from mainstream models. Declaring them off-limits to low-fat models (Audi S4/5, BMW M340i/440i and Mercedes-AMG C43/53) would have also been nice.
However, the upsides of the 3 Series layout include clean ergonomics and easy-to-use infotainment that’s starting to make Audi lose some sparkle when it comes to an impeccable driving environment.
ENGINE
There are virtually no secrets left with what’s under the bonnet of the M3 and M4. BMW has freely conceded that the six-cylinder engine is the S58-coded unit used in the latest X3 M and X4 M SUVs.
In the latest style of AMG and M cars, there are two power outputs: 480hp in base form and 510hp in go-faster Competition outfit. That’s in the power vicinity of the C63 and considerably more than in the 450hp RS 4 and 5.
What remains to be seen, though, is how the S58 will sound on the move. Of course, the N58 predecessor never really sounded the part, but it’s surely time to give the S58 some sound engineering especially in the presence of the C63, the only high-performance car here to boast a snarly V8 note.
TRANSMISSION
Like before, a six-speed manual gearbox will be offered for those needing a “purified” driving experience.
BMW says it will be hooked up to the 480hp version in rear-driveonly format.
To date, the only other sports car maker to still find a market for a manual shifter is Porsche which offers it in selected models of the 718 Boxster and Cayman, plus 911 Carrera.
Don’t even mention RS and AMG — Ferrari, Lamborghini and McLaren haven’t sold a three-pedal layout for years (McLaren never did).
For the first time, all-wheel-drive and an eight-speed torque-converter automatic (Steptronic in BMW speak) also come to the M3 and M4 for the 510hp Competition variant.
Such hardware will allow for better driving refinement, especially the former which effectively controls wheel traction during hard acceleration and on slippery roads. Like in the M5 and M8, the AWD system can be switched to RWD-only.
The decision to forego the dualclutch automatic might irk enthusiasts because the torque-converter type — as judged from the M5 and M8 — shifts cogs slower and less satisfyingly.
Audi’s RS, in fact, is also starting to shy away from twin-clutchers despite pioneering it as a DSG gearbox in the second-generation TT.