wheels

Motoring | Features

Spyshot: BMW M4 Coupé all in the name

BMW starts confusing us with its M car nomenclature, as these first spy shots of the M4 Coupé surface

Staff Report
Published: 17:37 July 26, 2012

Image Credit: Supplied picture
The much-anticipated BMW M4 Coupé.

Image 1 of 3: 1 2 3

The shots of BMW’s next generation M3 saloon have been circulating the fibre-optics for a while now, and various computer renders and ‘photochops’ online give us more than just a vague idea of what the car will look like once the psychedelic camouflage slips off in time for the Geneva motor show next March.

The F80 generation M3 will first surface in four-door form, but Munich’s skunkworks are already preparing the one we’re all really waiting for, the M3 Coupé. Only, it won’t be called the M3 at all, as BMW is moving into even-numbering nomenclature for its drop-top and two-door body styles.

Therefore the next hard-core coupé from BMW will be badged as an M4, or you could also just call it the F82 series. These are the first images we’ve received of that much-anticipated M4 Coupé, so there’s plenty to drool over while we wait for the next set of spy shots to appear, which will give us a glimpse of the planned four-door M3 Gran Coupé.

All four — the M3 saloon, the Gran Coupé, and the M4 Coupé and Convertible — will share the basic structure with each other, meaning a tightened chassis and the first turbocharged engine to appear in the M3. Or M4…

The power will be well over the 400bhp mark thanks to a 3.0-litre straight-six twin-turbocharged motor. Composite materials will help shed weight, with a carbon fibre roof and possibly flank panels as well.

Let us remind you that the E92 M3 develops 414bhp and the track-focused GTS manages 444bhp, meaning BMW probably won’t settle for anything less than the latter figure.

More from Motoring

All articles in Motoring

More from Life & Style

Packed with the latest local and global motoring news, first drives, up-market car products, bikes and more

Life & Style editor's choice

India’s famous child bride ties the knot again

Laxmi Sargara has found love with her new husband, says Helen Roberts
A day in the life of Emirati zookeeper

Emirati zookeeper shows what it takes to be caretaker of dangerous animals. Watch this video
Catching up with the Filipino ‘Forrest Gump’

Cesar Guarin intends to complete the Global Run which he began three decades ago
Bugs are food of the future, says UN

Beetles, caterpillars and wasps could supplement diets around the world, UN organisation says
Ultimate test for high-end cars in Dubai

Jaguar and Land Rover to be tested in extreme weather conditions at new Dubai facility

FROM THE NETWORK

The legendary Al Unser Sr

The Unser family name is royalty in the world of motorsport, with Al Unser Sr sitting on the throne
Honda Civic test-driven in the UAE

The 2012 facelifted Civic was a tad disappointing so just a year later, Honda put it back under the knife
Double impact: Porsche 918 Spyder

With a petrol V8 and electric motors aiding progress, the Porsche 918 Spyder packs a big wallop
Jaguar's XJ made its mark in motoring history

Timeless design, exceptional refinement and amazing roadholding capabilities made the XJ series one of the most enduring in history
Robert Mitka's 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham

Rob Mitka likes his cars big and they didn’t come much bigger back in 1993 than the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham