BMW ups prices for new M3 and M4

BMW Australia has announced local specification and pricing for its all-new M3 sedan and M4 coupe performance models, which arrive here from June.

The fifth-generation mid-size M cars will again include (F80) sedan and (F82) coupe models, and with the M3 coupe now wearing the new M4 nameplate, from now on M3 will refer only to the four-door.

A folding hardtop variant of the M4 – based on the 4 Series Convertible – is on the way, but pricing and specification are yet to be confirmed.

The new M3 sedan is priced from $156,900 plus on-road costs and the M4 coupe kicks off at $166,900 plus ORCs. BMW Australia says this is “a small increase over the predecessor which is more than offset by the generous inclusion of standard features”.

The local operation claims the cars have received more than $8500 of extra equipment over the models they replace.

In the case of the M3 sedan, additional features over the previous E90 M3 include 19-inch M double-spoke alloy wheels in Ferric Grey, Adaptive M Suspension, a carbon-fibre roof, Active Protection, M DCT with Drivelogic, M Drive, reversing camera, manual rear-side window blinds, electric rear window blind, Intelligent eCall, digital radio and Surround View.

Compared to the old E92 M3 coupe, the two-door M4 adds 19-inch M alloys, Adaptive M Suspension, M DCT with Drivelogic, M Drive, reversing camera, Active Protection, Intelligent eCall, digital radio and Surround View.

Standard equipment in the local M3 and M4 will include a sports bodykit comprising a sculpted front apron with three large air intakes, M-specific kidney grille, a lightweight bonnet with power dome, aluminium front side panels, hallmark M exterior mirror casings, rear apron with integrated diffuser, four exhaust outlets and a boot lid with ‘fitted Gurney’ (sedan) or integrated spoiler (coupe).

Also standard on both models is BMW Individual high-gloss shadow line, adaptive bi-xenon headlights with anti-glare high-beam and LED rear lights with dynamic braking function.

Inside, there’s BMW Individual roof lining, M door sills, a double-spoke M leather-clad steering wheel with gearshift paddles, carbon-fibre interior trim with black chrome accents, extended ‘merino’ leather upholstery, heated/powered front M sports seats, keyless entry and starting, dual-zone climate-control, front/rear parking sensors, 8.8-inch colour display, 20GB music storage, professional navigation and a 16-speaker, 600-Watt harman/kardon audio system with streaming Bluetooth, auxiliary-in connection and USB interface.

A host of interior lighting solutions are also fitted, including LED front and rear reading lights, LED illuminated vanity mirrors, front and rear ambience lighting as well as lighting for the front footwells, interior and exterior door-handles and LED lighting in the boot.

There will be the choice of eight paint colours (including metallics and the exclusive new Yas Marina Blue and Austin Yellow hues), a head-up display and panoramic glass sunroof, which replaces the carbon roof.

The new M3 and M4 see a shift back to six-cylinder power. A twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline six rated at 317kW/550Nm powers the pair, replacing the E90/92 generation’s 4.0-litre V8. The new high-revving force-fed six promises not only 40 per cent more torque but 25 per cent lower fuel consumption.

The cars are offered standard with the third generation of BMW’s seven-speed M DCT (double-clutch automatic transmission) with integrated launch control. A six-speed manual gearbox is a no-cost option.

According to BMW, the new mid-size Ms are up to 60kg lighter than the cars they replace. Carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and aluminium are used for a range of chassis and body components including panels and structural and suspensions parts.

BMW says the M3 and M4 can sprint to 100km/h in 4.1 seconds and have been honed on Nürburgring’s Nordschleife layout. There are no details yet on a lap time, however.

Said Phil Horton, managing director of BMW Group Australia, this week in a press release: “The M3 has always been synonymous with high-performance sports cars and is revered for delivering refined, razor-sharp dynamics and performance.

“In 2014 the BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupé will reset the standard in terms of high-performance precision and agility – and true to form, they are guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of any performance driving enthusiast.”

motoring.com.au will attend the international launch of the new M3 and M4 in Portugal later this week. Stay tuned for our first drive.