The upcoming F80 M3 and F82 M4 will be the first production BMWs to feature a carbon fiber (CFRP) driveshaft for lighter weight and reduction in rotating mass, which which in turn results in more dynamic powertrain response.

The properties of the extremely light yet impressively durable material CFRP have allowed the engineers to follow a fundamentally new approach in the manufacture of the drive shaft. Made from CFRP, this component feeds the engine

We have added even more comparison photos of the BMW M4 vs the Lexus RC F.

One of the BMW M4 Coupe’s biggest rivals in 2014 will be the upcoming Lexus RC-F Coupe, the first official photos of which have just been revealed.

While BMW has downsized the M3/M4 engine from the predecessor V8 to a bi-turbo inline 6 cylinder (425 HP / 406 LB-FT), Lexus has retained a V8 for the RC-F. The engine is said to be a higher power version of the 5 liter V8 from the IS-F, but outputting 480 HP @ 7300 RPM (up from 416 HP in IS-F) and approximately 400 LB-FT torque. It’s believed that the transmission will be an 8 Speed Sport Direct Shift Transmission.

Full details of the RC-F will be released next week at its 2014 Detroit NAIAS reveal, where the F80 … CONTINUED

Preview look at how the BMW M4 F82 would look with non-factory or aftermarket wheels.

The 2015 BMW M3 (F80) and M4 (F82) will finally make their world debuts at the 2014 Detroit NAIAS next week.

We’ll be there to bring you the exciting reveals beginning Monday, the 13th, so be sure to tune in!

We’ll also have opportunities to speak with BMW M representatives regarding the M3 and M4 models, as well as any M related topics. As always, we’re happy to take requests for questions/topics from the BIMMERPOST community, so we encourage you to submit your M3, M4 and general M questions in this thread.

Before doing so, please review our Official M3 Thread, Official M4 Thread, and Dealer Demo Order Guide to confirm that your question(s) are not already answered.

First Austin Yellow BMW M4 F82 Coupe spotted in the wild! This preproduction M4 was seen in Munich, Germany.

The F80 M3 and F82 M4 will make their debuts in 2 weeks at the 2014 Detroit auto show. The F80 M3 will be shown in Yas Marina Blue while the F82 M4 will be shown in Austin Yellow.

Pre-production BMW M4 (F82) spotted in Regensburg, Germany. It appears to be Mineral Grey (or very dirty Black Sapphire) with Sakhir Orange interior. It wears the M Carbon Ceramic Brakes, in its signature gold color.

Only two more weeks until its official auto show debut in Detroit on January 13!

Follow our BMW M4 coverage @ http://www.bimmerpost.com/m4/

Some previews of the BMW M4 F82 in Alpine White from Gran Turismo 6.

More F80 M3 and F82 M4 pre-production test cars are running around without a shred of camouflage.

This Mineral White F80 M3 sedan was just photographed basking in the sun and looking mighty good, with its exaggerated fender flares and hunkered down stance.

Mineral White has already been revealed as a standard color to be available for the M3/M4, per our 2014 M3/M4 Dealer Order Guide: http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=907004