Amidst the unsettling news of rebadging the M3 coupe, BMW has previewed the M4 with a Pebble Beach Concept which is believed to be a perfect representation of the highly anticipated sports coupe. BMW has opted for an elaborate launch saga for the new model that began with a teaser video flaunting its growling exhaust note and has culminated with the concept car.
From the aerodynamically designed air curtains to the power dome hood, the design screams performance left, right and centre. The concept displays bold wheel arches, chunky alloys and generous use of carbon fibre, all of which may get toned down for the final production piece. The preview car comes in an exclusive colour; a rare one to find even on the colour spectrum, christened by BWM as Aurum Dust will also feature in the production spec car.
Underpinnings are still a secret kept safe behind Bavarian walls, but the car is speculated to house a steroid injected derivative of the inline four-cylinder, 3.0-litre engine powering the latest 335i and 435i models. Forced induction and sports tuning is expected beef up the engine figures to around 450PS that will exclusively propel the rear axle using a limited slip-differential.
The glimpses of the car give us ample reasons to forgive BMW for the vicious crime of rebadging the icon. The M4 badge will take its time to get used to, and it’s not like the M3 has been exterminated; the saloon variant will still be called the M3 and will continue to be one of the most desired wall poster cars in our bedrooms.