BMW M4 coupe: first photos

BMW will preview the M4 coupe at the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in Monterey, California. BMW had spun off the 3-Series coupes into an entirely new number, the 4-Series. Now comes the performance version of the car, courtesy of the M division.

The new M4, which is officially a concept car, looks ready for production and its debut at the Detroit auto show in January. The M4 is expected to forgo the V8 of its predecessor in favor of a twin-turbocharged inline-six engine, which will likely generate 450hp, compared to the 420hp of the naturally aspirated V8. The engine will mate through a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox and feed power to the rear wheels.

The car features the more aggressive look favored by the M division lately, with a blacked-out grille, LED headlamps, flared fenders, and an airdam fitted with carbon-fiber splitter. Tailpipes are also carbon fiber. Filling out the wheel wells are 20-inch cast alloys enclosing ceramic disc brakes. Roof will be carbon fiber and various body panels aluminum to cut weight—the M4 will reportedly be 180kg lighter than the outgoing model.

M4 will also be sport a convertible and a Gran Coupe version. The M3 name will be reserved for the four-door sedan version.