2014 BMW M3 and M4 photos leaked

Pictures of the 2014 BMW M3 and M4 have been ‘leaked’ ahead of their official launch at the 2014 Detroit Motor Show. According to the new nomenclature, the two-door coupes and the convertible (expected in 2015) will now on be called as M4 while the legendary M3 badge will only adorn the four-door saloons. Prices for the saloon in UK will start at £56,000 (Rs 56.5 lakh), while the M4 Coupe will be a bit more expensive.

Both the cars get a new twin-turbo, six-cylinder engine developing 431bhp and 550Nm of torque. Though two cylinders have been dropped, the new engine actually develops more power than the naturally aspirated V8 the previous M3 had, even as fuel consumption and emissions are reduced by 25 per cent. The gearbox can either be a standard six-speed manual or a seven-speed DCT (double clutch). A new feature called 'Smokey Burnout Control', that allows drivers to create a cloud of tyre smoke has also been introduced along with Launch Control.

The rear-wheel-drive car uses the extra power to move lesser weight, as the car now weighs roughly 80kg lighter than the previous generation car. The 0-100kmph barrier is breached in 4.3 seconds (4.1 seconds using the quicker DCT) as compared to the old car’s 4.8 seconds, with the top whack electronically limited at 248kmph.

There isn’t going to be any confusion between the ‘regular’ 3 series and the M3/M4 with the M versions getting visual additions like a new bonnet, bigger wheel arches, a redesigned front grille and a small boot spoiler along with a host of M badges all over the car. Both cars get a carbon-fibre roof and carbon-ceramic brakes with the M4 also getting a CFRP rear-end. BMW itself says the M Dynamic Mode "allows greater wheel slip and therefore easy drifting.” The car will have the option of three modes, COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT+.