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BMW M3 Saloon and M4 Coupé details, pictures and price

You can soon buy the M3 Saloon and M4 Coupe ─ here’s the official lowdown.

Two of the baddest Bimmers are about to land in the UK, the new M3 Saloon and the M4 Coupé. The fifth-generation of the iconic model promises more grin-inducing performance than you can shake a stick at, and not necessarily at the expense of Mother Nature.

Mmmmm
Mmmmm

Both the 1,497kg M3 Saloon and M4 Coupé have the same new 3.0-litre M TwinPower Turbo petrol engine. Power is 431hp and torque is 550Nm, the latter representing a 40 per cent increase compared with the outgoing 4.0-litre V8.

All 550Nm is available from a mere 1,850rpm, which goes some way in explaining the unbelievably quick 0 to 62mph time of 4.3 seconds with a six-speed manual gearbox or 4.1 seconds with the seven-speed M DCT (short for double clutch transmission) automatic. Both cars are electronically limited to 155mph.

BMW says you could get as much as 34mpg, making the new M 25 per cent more efficient than its predecessor and better than many cars with much less performance. Of course, spirited drives are likely to see the fuel economy figure drop through the floor. CO2 emissions are 194g/km.

There’s little difference between the M3 Saloon and M4 Coupé. The former has four doors and the latter has two. Or three doors and five doors, respectively, if you prefer to count the boot.

Both models benefit from Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Active M Differential, which is designed to keep wheel spin at bay. There’s also M Dynamic Mode, a setting that lets you push the limit without losing the safety net of DSC entirely.

UK cars are fitted with Adaptive M suspension as standard, giving you the option of Comfort, Sport and Sport+ modes. In Sport+ the damper setting is adjusted to minimise body movements (stiffer), while comfort will be more comfortable and forgiving on UK roads.

Body styling is more aggressive than a standard 3 and 4 Series and there are a few ‘M’ badges here and there, as is the norm for a BMW M. A twin-exit exhaust and flared wheel arches make it all the more menacing.

Standard equipment in the M3 Saloon and M4 Coupé includes 19-inch M alloys, heated and electric M seats and folding exterior mirrors and the full BMW Professional Media infotainment system with Bluetooth connectivity.

Optional extras include adaptive full LED headlights, head-up display, Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function and Driving Assistant Plus for warning you of an incoming collision with a pedestrian.

A free app called BMW M Laptimer allows you to hook up your smartphone to the car via a USB connection. You can check everything from your fuel consumption and engine revs to lateral acceleration and speed. It’s possible to compare two readings, too, which may come in handy if you take your M to the track.

“The superior performance of the BMW M3 Saloon and BMW M4 Coupé should be obvious at first glance. Indeed, the exterior design has a visual impact that elevates the BMW M design language to a new level of expression, highlighted by a purposeful character, emotional appeal and dynamic verve,” BMW head of design Karim Habib commented.

The BMW M3 Saloon and M4 Coupé start from £56,175 and £56,635, respectively and will be available to buy at dealerships from June 21st, 2014.

BMW M3 Saloon and M4 Coupé pictures

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