For the next generation of BMW ‘M’ cars the engineers from this performance division is not planning to offer engines with plenty of horsepower as the German carmaker wants to be in a different league for power-to-weight. According to Carsten Pries, the head of BMW M product management, BMW prefers to create a car that weighs 1000kg and below rather than one with 1000 horsepower.
The best examples of the new strategy are seen right now with the all new M3 F80 and the M4 F82 super cars. These models are powered by a 3.0-liter high-revving six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology that delivers 431hp and 550Nm of torque. The previous generation was powered by a 4.0-liter V8 engine that developed 420hp and 400Nm of torque.
According to BMW, the new M3 and M4 models are capable to travel another 100 miles (160 km) on a full tank of fuel. The weight drop was possible thanks to the new use of aluminum, magnesium and carbon fiber but also thanks to the new twin-turbo six-cylinder engine that replaces the old V8.
In addition, Carsten Pries also said that there is no point of adding the xDrive all-wheel drive system to the M3 or M4. “What is the point of taking out 80 kg if you are going to put 75 kg back through xDrive?” said Pries. Still, this doesn’t mean that BMW is not planning to offer an M model with xDrive (excluding both the X5 M and X6 M), Pries added.
The new BMW M3 Sedan and the M4 Coupe are able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds while top speed is limited at 155 mph or 250 km/h. The M4 Convertible accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, while top speed is 250 km/h or 155 mph. With the M Driver’s Package, top speed is increased at 280 km/h or 174 mph. Fuel consumption in the EU cycle is just 8.3 l/100 km (34 mpg), while CO2 emissions are 194 g/km.
