The news of the rebadging M3 coupe to the M4 coupe has finally sunk into the minds of its fans after much despair. The two-door car will disappear after three decades but all is not lost, BMW has reaffirmed that the name change will only be a technicality. According to BMW M Performance Automobile's managing director Friedrich Nitschke, the pair is set for their debut at the next Detroit Motor Show scheduled for January next year.
The bifurcation in the nomenclature which is part of BMW’s plans to christen its two-door coupes with even numbers will soon span across the entire line up. The M4, a performance focused twin of the 4 Series is expected to follow a policy of performance through lightness. The stripped down 4 Series will also add an in-line six-cylinder engine to its portfolio which is expected to crank out 420PS of power. The M3, which will now have four doors, will also house the same engine though accounting for tuning difference.
Among other performance enhancers, the M division duo will feature a new an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential. The car will also feature lower and stiffer suspension, upgraded brakes, wider wheels and tires, and a number of aerodynamic changes to the exterior.
BMW has conducted most of the testing of the new M4 behind closed doors, though the cars have recently been spotted with minimal camouflage in Germany. Performance figures or technical specs beyond the engine configuration have not been revealed and is expected to be out closer to the global unveiling.