BMW has pre-released photos and details of its 2015 M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe models, which will make their public debuts at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.
The all-new, twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre engine is said to be some 10 kg lighter than its V-8 predecessor and even more powerful, with an output of 425 horsepower from 5,500 to 7,300 rpm and 406 lb-ft of torque from 1,850 to 5,500 rpm
BMW says it's capable of accelerating from 0-to-97 km/h (0-60mph) in 3.9 seconds when equipped with the M-DCT (double-clutch) transmission (4.1 seconds with standard 6-speed manual).
In order to accentuate the racing character of the two models in terms of both their technical composition and the fine-tuning of the cars, BMW says, their engineers worked closely with BMW Motorsport’s professional racing drivers, including Bruno Spengler and Timo Glock, during the development phase which involved extensive testing and set-up work carried out at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit.
North-American sales of both models are scheduled to begin in early summer, 2014.