Today’s tests at the Nurburgring were stopped by a BMW F80 M3 crash ten minutes before the end of the session. The accident occurred at a section called “Metzgesfeld” where the driver lost control and crashed into the right guide rail.

Fortunately, the test driver is OK and was only fitted with a neck collar. The F80 M3 prototype was transported back to the BMW technical center at the Ring.

Unfortunate that this happened, but it gives us more looks at the advanced M3 and M4 prototypes … CONTINUED

We have added and updated more technical specs for the F80 M3 / F82 M4 in our Official Technical Guide.

Please see inside.

We’ve shared with you the M3/M4 official specs and our ride-along/workshop notes, now have an on board look as we ride with Bruno Spengler in the M4 prototype at BMW’s proving grounds near Munich.

Bruno shares his thoughts on the EPS (electric power steering), turbos, transmission and testing on the Nurburgring.

And if you’re wondering whether the in-cabin sounds you hear are artificially enhanced via Active Sound, we asked and were told by one of the BMW engineers that there was absolutely no artificial sound feature. … CONTINUED

BIMMERPOST correspondent Jens Meiners just spent a day at BMW’s testing center near Munich for the BMW M3/M4 workshops and ride-along. Here is our report:

Thanks, BMW, for the earth-hugging i3 and the i8, but what enthusiasts really care about is the next M3 – and its two-door variation, the M4. Production of the current one has ended in July, while the next models won’t go into production before Spring. Why the gap? We hear that BMW has essentially run out of parts to build them.

It … CONTINUED

We share with you the first official specs and technical details of the 2014 BMW M3 (F80) and M4 (F82)!

ENGINE

Inline 6 cylinder engine with two mono-scroll turbochargers
Direct Injection
VALVETRONIC
Double-VANOS
closed-decked crankcase
twin-wire arc-spray coating (instead of liners) in cylinder … CONTINUED

BMW M has held workshops revealing some technical aspects of the M3/M4. Our coverage and more official specs will come later.

For now, you should know that the BMW M3 and M4 will officially feature 425 HP and more than 370 LB-FT torque, in line with what we’ve been reporting.

Keep in mind that the F80 M3 /F82 M4 will weigh less than the E90/E92 M3.

BIMMERPOST member ///Megalomaniac got up close and very personal with an F80 M3 prototype this past weekend. He recounts his spotting with us all:

Today I spotted this F80 M3 on my way back home. Thought I should share it with you!

First thing what came in my mind was: “Yes, I’m the first who can show a picture of the redline!” But as I came closer and looked into the car, the whole speedo was blacked out and nothing was to see! I think it … CONTINUED

We have added a video of a black F80 M3 sedan advanced prototype out on the highway.

The F82 M4 coupe and F83 M4 convertible continue testing and we continue sharing pics with you.

Once it’s fully revealed, we will see an M4 convertible which shares the M4 coupe’s styling (and mechanicals), save for the roofline and trunkline. To give you an idea for how the M4 convertible will look once all the camo comes off, check out our production M4 renders below.

The one clear difference is that the M4 convertible features a different roof — in the form of a non-carbon fiber … CONTINUED

We recently showed you an advanced F80 M3 prototype in what looked like Singapore Gray Metallic (reposted below). Now see the latest prototypes in black and Silverstone.

Once again, we’re treated to some great looks the F80 M3′s massive fenders. The F80 M3 shares virtually the same styling as the M4 except for the more prominently flared fenders and a different trunk design (no CSL style curve). The two share the same front front fascia and headlights, rear bumpers, sideskirts, hood bump, exhaust design, double-bubble carbon … CONTINUED

Last year, Mr. Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO of BMW of North America, confirmed to us an inline 6 cylinder engine for the upcoming M3/M4, and we showed you spy photos of the engine. Despite these confirmations, stubborn rumors pop up periodically regarding a potential V6 configuration for the upcoming s55 engine.

If you needed any further convincing, now hear it from the BMW NA CEO himself (again). Speaking at an event that we are currently attending for the launch of the new X5 and 4 … CONTINUED

Don’t possess X-ray vision to see past all that camouflage which remains on the F83 M4 convertible prototype? No worries, we give you this digital preview.

As the spy photos and our renders show, the M4 convertible will generally share the M4 coupe and M3 sedan’s styling, and of course powerplant/drivetrain.

The biggest difference will be the M4 cabrio’s folding hardtop. Unlike the M4 and M3′s carbon fiber double-hump roof, the M4 convertible will be metal and operate and fold in the same manner we’re used to … CONTINUED

We’ve heard the upcoming M3/M4 at high speeds on the Nurburgring, but haven’t had many chances to hear it accelerating from a stop. Well, here’s a good listen, as this F80 M3 prototype was spotted by BIMMERPOST member KKM3 on the Pacific Coast Highway last night.

The M3 here doesn’t accelerate to redline nor at wide open throttle, and the clip is short, but we nonetheless get a good sound preview of the car’s inline 6 cylinder S55 engine and exhaust.

Here is KKM3′s reaction to … CONTINUED

So, how do you current M3 owners feel about the upcoming M4 coupe? Let us know inside.

This F83 M4 convertible spotted yesterday completes the M3/M4 trifecta … until the M4 Gran Coupe comes along that is.

As one can see, the F83 M4 will generally share the M4 coupe and M3 sedan’s aero parts (and mechanicals). Even the trunk, which is of the automatically opening variety (to store the hardtop), appears to feature a similar CSL style curve. Parts such as the front/rear bumpers and mirrors may appear different than the M4 coupe, but that’s due to the heavier camouflage which … CONTINUED

We showed you the latest F82 M4 coupe prototype today, and now feast your eyes at the F80 M3, also in the most revealing form yet! This is the first we’ve seen the F80 M3 in what appears to be Singapore Grey Metallic color.

The first thing that pops out (literally) at us are the fenders. Check out the nearly widebody look of the rear fenders. While the M4 is a svelte and sexy sports coupe, the new M3 looks like its bruiser brother with … CONTINUED

Following the reveal of the BMW M4 Concept, testing continues on the production M4 Coupe and here we have our best look yet at the production bound F82 M4.

Spotted in Germany, this prototype looks nearly the same as the concept. The only significant differences are the absence of the concept’s carbon fiber front lip, rear diffuser fins, carbon fiber exhaust tips and black kidney grilles, which may all become available as part of the M Performance Parts catalog for the M4.

Everything else is virtually identical … CONTINUED

Here’s our exterior comparison of the F82 M4 Concept revealed last week, against the E92 M3 and E46 M3.

The E92 and E46 are both in the Phoenix Yellow color, while the M4 Concept features a custom Aurum Dust color, which is similar to Phoenix Yellow in person, but with much more metallic properties and a less green hue.

Here’s how the 4 Series dimensions compare to the E92 and E46.

4 Series Dimensions:

Length: 182.6 in (+1 in than E92 / +5.8 in than E46)
Width: 71.9 in … CONTINUED