By Otsile Kadiege

The much anticipated third generation BMW M3 Sedan and the second-generation BMW M4 Coupe have been finally unveiled. Sporting a radical front-end design and latest technology borrowed from cars like the BMW M5, the new BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe are ready to set new standards in their respective segments.

Exterior design

Upfront, the new BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe’s front-end is dominated by a controversial large frameless kidney grille with horizontal slats. The grille is flanked by large air intakes and functional air curtains with flics. The Competition models have contrasting (black) M-specific mirrors. To accommodate the large wheels, both the M3 and M4 have wider wheel arches giving the pair a purposeful stance. Non-functional air vents and contrasting side-skirts give the new M cars a sporty side-profile look.

The rear is fitted with four pipes each measuring at 100 mm in diameter, an eye-catching rear diffuser, and a contrasting boot-lip.

Interior design

The interior looks quite familiar to the non-M 3 Series range. The new BMW M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe comes with a thick steering wheel with M1 and M2 configurable buttons. A new configurable 12.3-inch BMW Live Cockpit Professional displays M-Specific content with good graphics.

The digital instrument cluster complemented by a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment running the latest iDrive system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and M-specific menus with a new “M Traction” setting which allows the driver to set how much traction they would like on a sliding scale.

The centre console has an M-specific gear knob and a host of M buttons like the M Mode button for adjusting specific displays and driver assistance systems – with Road, Sport and Track settings. Both M cars come standard with M-specific seats and there is an optional Performance seats which can be specified with Kyalami Orange or Yas Marina Blue colours.

Performance

Powering the new M3 Competition Sedan and M4 Competition Coupe is a heavily revised, high-revving (up to 7,000 rpm) 3.0-litre straight-six engine, codename S58. The non-Competition models produce 353 kW and 550 Nm, whereas the Competition models produce 375 kW and 650 Nm. Power is sent to the rear wheels or to the optional rear-wheel biased M xDrive all-wheel drive system via an 8-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission.

Both M cars have been fitted with Adaptive M suspension with M-specific kinematics and elastokinematics, M Compound brakes as standard. Carbon ceramics brakes are optional.

Pricing and availability

Local pricing and availability are yet to be announce. We are told that South Africa will only receive Competition models.