The New BMW M3/M4

Well, after a long time, we BMW fanboys finally got our star product, the new M3/M4.

A lot of talk about the 4 Series name and the incorporation of the M4, but I well, I guess it’s all part of evolution. I find this two cars extremely appealing and even more connected to what the M brand stands for than many other M products, it is light, powerful, technological and beautiful, a true heritage IMO to the E30 M3, it has evolved well.

I know it is bigger and wider but it’s all part of evolution, now with the extensive use of CFRP around the car, BMW has managed to reduce weight while increasing chassis stiffness, improving overall performance and reduce both, emissions and consumption.

I believe it is part of that engineering challenge that comes with creating a new version of the benchmark of a true sports car, competition has come up very close to BMW as MB and Audi both are creating amazing products, each with different characteristics, but in the search of the same kind of client.

I cannot wait to see the reviews of this car(s), opinions on whether the M3 is better ‘cuz of practicality or the M4 for being a bit wider, but the real deal will be with the MB and Audi, and let’s not forget the American offering with the ATS-V, Mustang, etc. This car will raise the bar to a point where it’ll push others to be better.

One of the things that make me love BMW is that being a benchmark brand improves competition, and whenever they are overpassed, they pursue even more.

Anyway, here are all the specs of the new car and well, I can only hope to get to drive one someday.

I AM IN LOVE!

Availability / Production

• Comes to U.S. as 2015 Model Year

• Sales begin early Summer 2014

• Complete US-specific specs, pricing, options, and packages will be announced closer to the on-sale date

• M3 produced in Regensburg plant (built alongside 3 Series Sedan)

• M4 produced in Munich plant (built alongside 4 Series Coupe)

Engine / Exhaust

• 3.0L inline 6 cylinder Twin Turbo engine (S55)

• 2,979 cc

• Stroke/Bore: 89.6mm / 84mm

• 425 HP from 5500-7300 RPM

• 406 LB-FT torque from 1850-5500 RPM

• 0-60 MPH: 3.9 seconds (DCT) / 4.1 seconds (manual)

• 7600 RPM rev limiter

• 10.2:1 compression ratio

• Top Speed: 155 MPH / 250 KMH

• Nearly 25% fuel consumption and emissions reduction over E90/E92 M3

• 22 pounds / 10 kilograms lighter than S65 V8 predecessor engine

• Two mono-scroll turbochargers

◦ Mitsubishi mono-scroll turbochargers

◦ 18.1 PSI / 1.25 BAR max peak

◦ Pre-tensioned in Sport and Sport+ modes (keep spinning at a high rate of speed even after throttle lift-off, for ultra quick response – more details)

◦ Impulse charging for optimized responsiveness

◦ Flow-enhanced manifolds

◦ Electric wastegate actuator

• Direct Injection, Valvetronic variable valve timing and Double-VANOS continuously variable camshaft timing

• Closed-deck crankcase design (4.4 lbs / 2kg lighter)

• Twin-wire arc-sprayed coating used instead of liners (saves weight)

• Forged, torsionally rigid crankshaft

• Track-specification cooling system

◦ Air intake system features an indirect intercooler

◦ Water cooler repositioned to the side for the high- and low-temperature water circuits, and the engine and transmission oil (if the M Double Clutch Transmission is specified)

◦ Additional electric coolant pump cools the turbocharger bearing mounts when the car is stationary

◦ Low-weight magnesium oil sump features special cover to limit movement of the oil under the effects of strong dynamic lateral acceleration

◦ Under extreme longitudinal acceleration and deceleration, an oil extraction pump and a sophisticated oil return system situated close to the turbocharger help to maintain stable oil circulation

◦ Double-flow oil recirculation pumps

◦ Turbocharger suction system

◦ Main radiator plus additional radiators for the high- and low-temperature circuits, turbocharger and transmission

◦ Large indirect intercooler (sits atop engine, necessitating hood bulge)

◦ Low-weight magnesium oil sump (2.2 lbs / 1kg lighter)

◦ Temperature-stabilizing electric water pump

• Electronically control Exhaust

◦ Electrically controlled flaps just before the rear silencer minimize exhaust back-pressure and produce a BMW M sound, as well as giving precise feedback on engine load

◦ When closed, flow is forced into and laterally across the silencer; when open, flow is more directly through the narrow part of the silencer

◦ Different selectable drive modes feature different engine sound profiles

◦ Catalysts with metal substrate (less restrictive than ceramic)

◦ Exhaust always exits all four tail pipes

Transmission

• 7 Speed M Double Clutch Transmission (M-DCT) with Drivelogic

◦ Third generation M-DCT

◦ Integrated Launch Control function

◦ Stability Clutch Control opens clutch when car is understeering to bring it back into line

◦ Drivelogic modes can be selected for more comfortable, economy focused or sportier characteristics

• 6 Speed Manual Transmission

◦ Robust double-plate clutch

◦ More compact and quieter than predecessor

◦ 26.4 pounds (12kg) lighter than predecessor

◦ New carbon friction linings in synchronizer rings increases shift comfort

◦ Dry sump lubrication

◦ Automatic throttle blip downshifts

Active M Differential

• Hollow lightweight output shafts

• Electronically controlled multi-plate limited slip differential (LSD)

• Control unit links up with the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system and also takes into account the position of the accelerator pedal, the rotational speed of the wheels and the car’s yaw rate

• 0% – 100% degree of lock

• M Dynamic Mode allows greater wheel slip, but with the safety net of DSC

CFRP drive shaft

• feeds engine’s torque from gearbox to rear differential

• increased stiffness

• reduced rotating mass for better acceleration and throttle response

• single-piece unit with no center bearing

• 40% weight saving over predecessor

• tested for speeds up to 205 MPH

Electric Power Steering

• Entirely new electric power steering (EPS) unit, built by ZF

• Servotronic function electronically adjusts the level of steering assistance according to the car’s speed

• 3 modes: Comfort, Sport, Sport+ (standard option)

• Specially tuned for M3/M4

• Will not compensate for understeer, oversteer, coarse road surface. Motor will not help unwind the steering wheel and it will self-center by by natural forces

Suspension / Tires / Brakes

• Optional EDC Adaptive M Suspension features 3 modes: Comfort, Sport, Sport+

• Double-joint spring strut front axle

◦ Lightweight aluminum construction for components such as control arms, wheel carriers and axle subframes saves 11 pounds (5kg) over a conventional steel design

◦ Play-free ball joints and elastomeric bearings developed specially for the M3/M4 ensure an optimum and direct transfer of forces both laterally and longitudinally

◦ Aluminum stiffening plate

◦ CFRP front strut brace

• Five-link rear axle

◦ Forged aluminum construction for control arms and wheel carriers – reducing unspring mass of wheel-locating components by around 6.6 pounds (3 kg)

◦ Rear axle subframe bolted directly to body structure (bolted joints between the axle subframe and the body sills, without use of elastic rubber elements)

• Tires incorporated into construction process for the axles

◦ low-weight 18-inch forged wheels (front axle: 9 J x 18, rear axle: 10 J x 18) with mixed-size tires (front axle: 255 mm, rear axle: 275 mm).

◦ 19-inch wheels and tires are available as an option (in Ferric Grey or Black)

• BMW M compound brakes standard (in blue)

◦ four piston front / two piston rear

• BMW M carbon ceramic brakes optional (in gold)

◦ six piston front / four piston rear

Lightweight Construction

• BMW M4 Coupe features DIN curb weight of 1,497 kilograms (3300 pounds), around 80 kilograms (176 pounds) lighter than a comparably equipped predecessor model.

• Contoured (double-bubble) CFRP roof on both M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe

◦ saves 11 pounds (5kg) on M3

◦ saves >13 pounds (6kg) on M4

• CFRP trunk lid on M4

• CFRP drive shaft saves 40% weight

• CFRP strut brace (weighs 3.3 pounds / 1.5 kg) offers more rigidity than aluminum counterpart

• CFRP roof bow

• Aluminum front fenders and hood

Aerodynamics

• Front apron, smooth underbody and gurney spoiler at the rear of the M3 Sedan (or integrated spoiler lip at the rear of the BMW M4 Coupe) reduce lift by an equal degree at the front and rear axle.

• Inflowing air through the engine oil cooler creates a Venturi effect, which reduces front axle lift and, in so doing, improves the steering.

• Air Curtain and M gills with integrated Air Breather rearwards of the front wheels minimize turbulence in the front wheel arches.

• Aerodynamically optimized exterior mirrors in twin-stalk style.

Interior

• Front seats visually inspired by bucket seats, with illuminated M logo on seat backrests

• Contoured rear seats made from lightweight composite material can be folded in 60:40 split

• M Sport leather multifunction steering wheel with chrome trim and color contrast stitching

• Anthracite roof liner standard

• M door sill finishers, M driver’s footrest, M gearshift lever

Technology

• BMW M Laptimer app [more details]

• Optional Head-Up Display (HUD) (comes with gear display, rev counter and Optimum Shift Indicator, etc.)