The new BMW M3 (F80) sedan will arrive in 2014, but what should it be like? Steve Sutcliffe puts three of its predecessors through their paces at Brands Hatch to find the perfect ingredients.
We have added our side profile renders of the 2015 BMW M4 Coupe (F82) to our set of official renders.
We started with a photo of the F82 M4 right outside of the BMW M testing center at the Nurburgring and began peeling away at the camouflage based on details which can be discerned from this particular prototype, other F82 M4 and F80 M3 mules, as well as our other imagination and speculation.
Here are some render highlights:
• Sportier and sleeker kidney grilles (as seen on previous F32 4 series coupe prototype).
• Sleeker headlights than sedan (which has been rumored and is expected).
• Similar front apron/bumper styling as the F80 M3 - with combined styling from the M6 and 1M (seen clearly in spy pics)
• Air curtain … CONTINUED
The F80 M3 is continuing its development at the Nurburgring and we’ve captured it on video once again. We’ve also compiled our recent F80 M3 and F82 M4 videos below.
As we’ve seen before, the F80 M3 continues to exhibit a planted ride and suspension, flying around the track with little body roll.
For our latest M3/M4 details and coverage see: http://www.bimmerpost.com/m3/f30m3/
We’ve put together this latest set of renders of the 2015 M4 Coupe (F82) based on recent spy photos.
We started with a photo of the F82 M4 right outside of the BMW M testing center at the Nurburgring and began peeling away at the camouflage based on details which can be discerned from this particular prototype, other F82 M4 and F80 M3 mules, as well as our other imagination and speculation.
What you see is a sleek M4 coupe with a more fastback shape than the current M3 coupe. Here’s some render highlights:
• Sportier and sleeker kidney grilles (as seen on previous F32 4 series coupe prototype).
• Sleeker headlights than sedan (which has been rumored and is expected).
• Similar front apron/bumper styling as the F80 M3 … CONTINUED
We haven’t spotted the F82 M4 Coupe at the Nurburgring since July, when the F82 was spied for the very first time in public testing. Well, it’s now back at the Ring during an onslaught of BMW prototype testing in the past week, including the F80 M3, F82 M4, F36 4 Series Gran Coupe, F15 X5 M, 3 Series GT, and the M6 Gran Coupe.
Below are the most recent photos and a video of the F82 M4 in testing at the Nurburgring, as well as a recap of what’s known and speculated about the next gen M3/M4 thus far.
SUMMARY
Lighter than current M3
targeting E46 M3 weight (source)
More powerful than … CONTINUED
Back in May we first confirmed that the F80 M3 and F82 M4 would be powered by an inline 6 cylinder turbo engine and indeed we’ve just received these first photos of the next gen M3/M4 engine, with visual proof of the inline cylinder setup.
The F80 M3 / F82 M4 will have some good cooling of the the heated air pumping from its turbos, via components such as the air-to-water/liquid intercooler unit (to the right of the engine cover) feeding the cylinders with cooled air. If this setup is anything like in the M5/M6 S63Tu engine, the air is cooled by this unit right before it reaches the cylinders. There appears to be twin intake boxes and the oil cooler bracket looks to be the same … CONTINUED
Some updated F82 M4 coupe renders from Jerry Alvarez. The white M4 coupe render now incorporates the M6/1M styled front bumper with air curtain vents recently spied on the F80 M3 sedan. Not reflected in the renders however, is an expected sleeker front fascia and headlights (compared to the F30 3 series). The F82 M4 coupe is also expected to feature a carbon fiber roof.
The F80 M3 / F82 M4 will not be constructed extensively from carbon fiber (CFRP) as some earlier reports had speculated. Because this next generation M3/M4 began development two years ago, it’s said to have been too early to take advantage of BMW’s CFRP developments with the later introduction of the BMW i cars/project. The first model (besides the i cars) … CONTINUED
Resident digital artist Jerry Alvarez has put together this speculative side render of the F82 M4 coupe.
Although not visible in these renders, you can expect the F82 M4 coupe to receive the same (or very similar) hood lip/bulge that we recently spotted for the first time on the F80 M3 sedan.
Also not reflected in the renders is an expected sleeker front fascia and headlights (compared to the F30 3 series). The F82 M4 coupe is also expected to feature a carbon fiber roof.
The F80 M3 / F82 M4 will not be constructed extensively from carbon fiber (CFRP) as some earlier reports had speculated. Because this next generation M3/M4 began development two years ago, it’s said to have been too early to take advantage of BMW’s CFRP … CONTINUED
We have added more photos of the first F82 M4 Coupe prototype spotted last week. Full gallery inside.
