BMW M3 2014 News

Following the recent reveals of the performance-focused BMW M3 sedan and M4 coupe, the German car brand has launched configurators so you can build your own, rotate it to get a look from all angles -- and then order it, if you're one of the lucky future buyers.The configurators will let you choose your car's alloy wheels, paint colour and then head into the cabin to customise the upholstery, interior trims and accent lines. Because we're a pretty restrained bunch at Carsguide, we've gone for the M3 in Yas Marina Blue body colour with M 19-inch double-spoke black wheels, Silverstone orange leather upholstery with gloss black trim and accent lines.Try the BMW M3 configuratorFor the M4 we decided on Austin Yellow paint, again the M 19-inch double-spoke black wheels (yes, we've got a bit of a thing for them), Black Merino leather with Blue Shadow trim and black chrome accent lines.Try the BMW M4 configuratorAnd in our Walter Mitty daydreams, we'll be imagining the shove from the twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engines' boosted outputs of 317kW and 550Nm (up from 309kW and 400Nm) handled by the carryover choice of the either six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch DCT auto -- both now blipping the throttle on downshifts.Then there's the claimed  0-100km/h figure of 4.1 seconds for both cars, with top speeds limited to 250km/h, or 280km/h with the optional M Driver’s Package. And the cherry on top of our heavily frosted daydreams would have to be the 'smoky burnout' mode -- although keeping that in our imagination would also keep our licences intact.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

Images of the new BMW M3 and M4 have been revealed via an online BMW blog ahead of their official debut tomorrow. As you'd expect, the photos show a more aggressive treatment for the bodies, with muscular wheelarches housing big alloys, quad exhaust tips, and M badged heat extraction vents behind the front wheels.Watch the desktop version of the official BMW M3 and M4 video here.With the new BMW 4-Series already in Australian showrooms  attention will now be focusing on what we can expect in the coming BMW M3 and M4 that are set to arrive next May, BMW has alreqady comfirmed the outputs for the cars, announcing them at a technology workshop. The new M3 and M4 will deliver about 320 kilowatts of power and 'far beyond' 500 Newton-metres of torque from the latest 3.0-litre turbo in-line six-cylinder engine.The M3 gets a considerable hike over the same engine in the 4-Series 435i Carsguide tested in July, which delivers 225kW and 400Nm. But it's less of a jump over the outgoing M3's 4.0-litre V8 with 309kW and 400Nm. The M4's output is said to be 310kW, but we've also heard talk of a bigger 3.3-litre turbocharged six-cylinder that could offer 336kW. The German carmaker says that the engines are also much more efficient, achieving a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions of 'around 25 per cent'.BMW has reportedly decided on a more modest power hike in favour of a wider torque spread than the V8, also helped by a new cylinder head. In addition, the coming M3 and M4 will be lighter, with weight-saving strategies joining a carryover carbon-fibre roof to keep it tipping the scales in the target range of about 1500kg -- a drop of 100kg on the outgoing M3. More details will be revealed tomorrow, in preparation for the official unveiling at January's Detroit motor show.Watch the BMW M3 and M4 testing at the Nurburgring.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

After splitting their house into separate line-ups for the sedans and two-doors, BMW is getting ready to reveal the new M3 sedan and the M4 coupe

Keep this video on repeat as those growls you hear are the sweet sounds of the new straight-six engine developed for the latest generation of the BMW M3 and the all-new M4 (basically a new M3 Coupe). Also shown in the video is a small sliver of the new M3’s power dome hood, whose yellow hue is likely to be the car’s hero color.BMW is set to preview either its new M3 or M4 (or perhaps both) in concept form at the 2013 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance later this week and will follow up with the production versions at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show in January. The cars are likely to hit the market early next spring, as 2014 models.The M3 will get the F30 3-Series’ body and the M4 will get the F32 4-Series’s svelte coupe shape. However, both cars will have common internals. The highlight will be the raspy engine you hear in the video above, which to these ears sounds a bit like the 3.2-litre straight-six last used in the E46 M3.The engine is believed to be a 3.0-litre unit codenamed the S55. That makes it sound very much like a high-performance derivative of the N55 found in the latest 335i and 435i models, which makes sense as the BMW M Division is no longer building standalone engines.A pair of turbochargers and tuning of the heads should get performance to the levels demanded by an M car. We’re expecting a power figure somewhere between 300 and 335 kW.www.motorauthority.com  

Much has been made of the significance of the two-door M3's name change to M4. But both M3 and M4 will live on in the 2014 model year, despite the nomenclatural bifurcation.The real test, of course, will be how the new M4 drives. If it's lighting lap times on fire and stunning stoplight racers, the name will be a technicality.Fortunately, we may not have long to wait now. In an interview with Motor Trend, BMW M Performance Automobiles's managing director Friedrich Nitschke has confirmed both the M3 sedan and M4 coupe will be at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show.So what can we expect next January? The 2014 BMW M4 is expected to focus on performance through lightness, shaving weight from the standard 4-Series wherever possible. Add to that a turbocharged in-line six-cylinder engine cranking out something north of 310kW and you have the start of a good recipe.The same engine is expected in the 2014 M3 sedan, and most of the rest of the performance equipment should be shared between the two, though adjustments to account for tuning differences will be made. Among the other performance-enhancers expected for the M3/M4 duo is an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential, lower and stiffer suspension, wider wheels and tires, upgraded brakes, and a range of aerodynamic changes to the exterior. For more details, see our 2014 BMW M3 spy shots.www.motorauthority.com  

The German brand has announced details of the M3 Pure Coupe, in effect a cut price version of the performance machine. Priced from $125,000, a hefty $30,000 less than a standard M3, they've basically removed all of the features that someone more interested in the dynamics is not going to miss or want for that matter. Still included however are the Bi-Xenon lights, the pro navigation system, Bluetooth and USB audio interface, along with the storage and lights package, front and rear parking sensors and the light weight carbon fibre roof (you wouldn't want to lose the latter). Changes to the interior include cloth and leather upholstery as well as Titanium Shadow interior trim as standard. Gone are things like the CD stacker, adaptive headlights, comfort access and the no cost option sunroof. You might however miss the heated seats and Harman Kardon sound system. In addition there is also revised pricing to options available across the M3 range, which add to the enthusiast appeal of the M3 such as the Competition Package, M Drive and Electronic Damper Control. The Competition Package, which must be ordered in conjunction with M Drive and Dynamic Damper Control, is $1800 ($600 saving), M Drive is $2700 ($700 saving) and Dynamic Damper Control, $3300 ($700 saving).  

Bernard Tomic's orange BMW coupe continues to follow him around the world - with the Aussie tennis star coming in for more police questioning at his new Monte Carlo base. Tomic's hoon-mobile caused a Gold Coast stand-off back in January, when the 19-year-old was stopped twice on Australia Day by cops over alleged sneaky drives while on a restricted P-plate licence. Despite Tomic's unsuccessful attempts to flog his motor back in Queensland, the roar of the V8 engine has followed him to the tax-free European principality, home to dozens of his fellow ATP players. One Monte Carlo policeman even put the hard word on the teen over his car. "A policeman here, he pulled my dad over while walking. The guy asked him for his licence. Just a random check," Tomic revealed after reaching the second round of the Monte Carlo Masters with a 6-4 6-3 win over Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan. "The guy followed tennis, and he asked: 'How is it going with the car?'" While Tomic may be moving on from his notorious Beemer, temptation stares him in the face, with the motor-mad teen living not far from a Maserati dealership in Monte Carlo. So far he has resisted the urge to buy a car. But like a sleazy, insincere car salesman, it's maybe time for mX to suggest a couple of nice little runners that might better suit the tennis teen.  

The family yesterday turned down a bid of $146,000 for the orange high-powered sports car. The 2010 BMW M3 has only 6926km on the clock but yesterday failed to meet a secret reserve set by Tomic's father John during a Brisbane auction. Pickles Auctions manager Robert Webster said the Tomic family had negotiated with the highest bidder, a mysterious interstate buyer, but had failed to reach an agreement. "It will be up to the Tomic family whether or not they re-list the car for auction. They may sell privately or through a dealer,'' he said. "They spent around $200,000 for the car in 2010 and they were expecting a higher return.'' The failed sale comes just two weeks after the 19-year-old was pulled over three times and fined twice by police in less than two hours on Australia Day. Police also charged Tomic with three traffic offences, including evading police. Talking at a media conference this week Tomic said he might never drive in Australia again. Pickles Auctions national manager Steve Allen said Tomic had said he now wanted to focus on his tennis career without distractions. "He's had his fun and he's ready to focus on tennis now,'' Mr Allen said. "We thought it would fetch a high price given the publicity surrounding the car and its performance enhancements. "There are only five of these BMWs in this colour in Australia.'' John Tomic attended the auction and appeared disappointed with the final bid. Punters said they were shocked the top bid was turned down. Bidder John Marshall joked he wanted to buy the BMW for his granddaughter. "I was thinking about it but she's only on her P-plates,'' he said. "It's an outrageous price for a car but I guess with all that comes with it . . . "I am here looking for a more sensible car but it was great to witness the auction. I thought for sure it would sell today.'' The Tomic family has until tomorrow morning to reconsider the $146,000 bid.

There is plenty of go left in the BMW M3, based on the way it's being teased and tizzied for extra showroom appeal. The newest tweak is an M3 sedan that fits between the regular model and the GTS coupe, a space previously reserved for the lightweight CSL. The newcomer was teased at the Shanghai Motor Show with the promise of around 325 kiloWatts, bigger brakes, firmer suspension and lightened exhaust - without the wild rear wing on the M3 GTS.