The 2014 BMW M3 and M4 have been officially unveiled ahead of their launch at the Detroit Motor Show in January next year. Just like for the regular BMW 3 and 4 Series cars, the two-door coupes and the convertible (expected in 2015) will now on be called as M4 while the legendary M3 badge will only adorn the four-door saloons.
Even after dropping two cylinders from the previous generation’s V8, BMW has managed to squeeze out 431bhp and 550Nm of torque as compared to 414bhp and 400Nm the previous M3 made. Two turbochargers manage to bring out the extra power while making sure the engine complies with all the emission regulations.
Optional extras include carbon-ceramic brakes, a heads-up display and active cruise control. BMW will also offer an M Laptimer app for smartphones, allowing owners to connect their device to the car and record things like speed, revs and lateral ‘Gs’ around a track. The gearbox can either be a standard six-speed manual or a seven-speed DCT (double clutch). A new feature called 'Smokey Burnout Control', which allows drivers to create a cloud of tyre smoke has also been introduced along with Launch Control.
The rear-wheel-drive car uses the extra power to move less weight, as the car now weighs roughly 80kg lighter than the previous M3. The 0-100kmph barrier is breached in 4.3 seconds (4.1 seconds using the quicker DCT) as compared to the old car’s 4.8 seconds, and the top speed electronically is limited at 248kmph.
The visual additions for the M3 and M4 include a new bonnet, bigger wheel arches, a redesigned front grille and a small boot spoiler, along with a host of M badges all over the car. Both cars get a carbon-fibre roof and carbon-ceramic brakes with the M4 also getting a CFRP (carbon-fibre reinforced polymer) rear-end. You also get the familiar twin-stalk M wing-mirrors and a set of new air vents. New spoilers help to improve downforce.BMW itself says the M Dynamic Mode "allows greater wheel slip and therefore easy drifting.” The car will have the option of three modes, COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT+.
![BMW M3 [2009-2013] Image](https://imgd.aeplcdn.com/272x153/cw/cars/no-cars.jpg?q=80 "BMW M3 [2009-2013] Image")
