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

We spoke very recently at length to a trusty source within BMW who is familiar with the development of the upcoming F80 M3 sedan / F82 M4 coupe and we were able to learn the following bits of news:

HORSEPOWER / TORQUE

Regarding power output, the previously estimated 450HP figure is an overestimate. Instead, expect the horsepower output to be in ballpark of the current E90/E92 M3.

What will be increased greatly however, is the torque figure. The F80/F82′s multi turbo inline 6 cylinder engine [recently exposed] will add approximately 100 lb-ft more torque over the current M3 (which outputs 295 lb-ft torque). This would put the new M3/M4 in the range of 395 lb-ft torque. There’s nothing like forced induction for thrust!

WEIGHT

We were also glad to learn that … CONTINUED

We have been reporting and referring to the upcoming F32 and F82 models as the 4 Series Coupe and M4 Coupe for months now, and Automobile now comes in with their ruminations on what the M4 and 4 series lineup will bring. Although much of this is not new information, it provides a good review of what to expect for the upcoming 4 Series and M4:

4 Series Coupe (F32), 4 Series Convertible (F33), and Gran Coupe (F36)

• Coupe variant of F30 3 Series to be called 4 Series (positioned and priced in lineup just as the 6 Series Coupe is positioned in the 5/6 Series lineup)

• Four door “coupe” styled variant to be called 4 Series Gran Coupe … 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

The 2014 F80 M3 continues prototype testing on the road and track on and around the Nurburgring. We’ve compiled this 3 minute video featuring plenty of new sights and sounds of the F80 M3 in various settings performing different maneuvers and driving action.

With its planted ride and suspension, together with plenty of power from its turbo inline 6 cylinder, the new M3 flies around the track with little body roll and suspension travel.

To reiterate our oft repeated details on the upcoming F80 M3 / F82 M4:

The F80 M3 / F82 M4 will be powered by an inline 6 cylinder engine with multiple turbochargers, pushing approximately 450 horsepower. The engine has been rumored to be an extensively reworked and reinforced N55 6-cylinder engine with a strengthened aluminium … CONTINUED