2014 BMW M3 Sedan
The launch of the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupe sees BMW M GmbH revealing a new interpretation of the high-performance sports car – and carrying the BMW M philosophy over into the fifth generation of the M3. More than 40,000 examples of the fourth-generation BMW M3 Coupe were built, and now the BMW M4 Coupe is poised to continue this success story. The “M4” badge is a reference to the model series that provides the basis for the new M model – and, for the first time, the Coupe will be introduced at the same time as the four-door variant. Logic dictates the latter will be christened the BMW M3 Sedan.
The high-revving six-cylinder in-line engine with MTwinPower Turbo technology newly developed for the new BMW M3 Sedanand new BMW M4 Coupe produces a maximum output of 431 hp. Its peak torque of 550 Newton metres (406 lb-ft) is available across awide rev band and outstrips the figure recorded by the outgoing BMW M3 by roughly 40 per cent. And yet the engine also achieves a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions of around 25 per cent. Both the BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe cover the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h / 62 mph in 4.1 seconds (with the optional seven-speed M Double Clutch Transmission).
In the interests of maximising dynamic ability and ensuring excellent efficiency, weight savings of around 80 kilograms have been achieved over a comparably equipped predecessor model. The BMW M4 Coupe, for example, has a DIN kerb weight of 1,497 kilograms, thanks to the rigorous application of intelligent lightweight design measures. These include the increased use of lightweight materials such as carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and aluminium for a number of chassis and body components. Indeed, both models feature a carbon roof.
One of the primary objectives in the development of the BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe was to ensure the new cars offered impressive race track capability. Hence the presence of a track-specification cooling system, which ensures that the optimum temperature balance for the engine, turbochargers and transmission is maintained at all times.
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, the engineers worked closely with BMW Motorsport’s professional racing drivers during the development phase. For example, DTM drivers Bruno Spengler and Timo Glock took part in the extensive testing and set-up work carried out at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife circuit.
2014 BMW M3 Sedan Gallery
See full 2014 BMW M3 Sedan Gallery here
In Detail
| type | Series Production Car |
| released at | 2014 NAIAS |
| built at | Germany |
| engine | M TwinPower Turbo Inline-6 |
| aspiration | 2 Mono-Scroll Turbochargers |
| block material | Aluminum |
| valvetrain | 4 Vavles per Cyl w/Vavletronic VVT, Double-VANOS |
| fuel feed | Direct Petrol Injection |
| displacement | 2979 cc / 181.79 in³ |
| bore | 86.9 mm / 3.42 in |
| stroke | 84 mm / 3.31 in |
| power | 317 kw / 425.1 bhp @ 5500 rpm |
| specific output | 142.7 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 279.67 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 550 nm / 405.7 ft lbs @ 1850 to 5500 rpm |
| body / frame | Unitary Steel Monocoque w/Aluminum Doors, Hood & Trunk, Carbon Fiber Roof |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| front tires | 255/40 ZR18 95Y |
| rear tires | 275/40 ZR18 99Y |
| front brakes | Discs w/Brembro Fixed 4-Piston Calipers |
| rear brakes | Discs w/Brembro Fixed 2-Piston Calipers |
| front wheels | F 45.7 x 22.9 cm / 18 x 9 in |
| rear wheels | R 45.7 x 25.4 cm / 18 x 10 in |
| steering | Rack & Pinion |
| f suspension | Aluminium MacPherson Struts |
| r suspension | Aluminium five-link axle |
| curb weight | 1520 kg / 3352 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2812 mm / 110.7 in |
| front track | 1579 mm / 62.2 in |
| rear track | 1603 mm / 63.1 in |
| length | 4671 mm / 183.9 in |
| width | 1877 mm / 73.9 in |
| height | 1424 mm / 56.1 in |
| transmission | 6-Speed Manual or 7-Speed Automatic |
| gear ratios | 4.110:1, 2.315:1, 1.542:1, 1.179:1, 1.000:1, 0.846:1 |
| final drive | 3.462:1 |
| top speed | ~250 kph / 155.25 mph electronically limited |
| 0 – 100 kph | ~4.3 seconds |
| drag | 0.34 Cd |
| urban fuel econ eu | 12.0 L/100 km or 19.60 mpg-us |
| extra urban fuel econ eu | 6.9 L/100 km or 34.09 mpg-us |
| combined fuel econ eu | 8.8 L/100 km or 26.73 mpg-us |
| emission | 204 g/km |
| fuel capacity | 60 litres or 15.84 gal. |
