BMW M4 2014 News

The new car market may not be performing but sports cars are.The latest VFACTS figures show Australians are racing to performance vehicles in record numbers and are happy to spend more than $100,000 to drive their dream car.The $80,000-$200,000 sports car segment is up more than 20 per cent so far this year and dedicated sports vehicles overall account for about one in 20 new cars sold.That doesn’t include go-fast versions of regular models, an area where the Germans continue to dominate.The move isn’t limited to prestige European brands: HSV is on track to eclipse 3000 sales in 2014. HSV marking boss Damon Paul says there’s still strong momentum forthe Gen-F range.Range Rover Sport sales have doubled this year to 2200, while Jaguar sales are up 15 per cent.Iconic sports car maker Porsche has had 44 per cent growth, with 2224 vehicles.The German trio — Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz — are all posting records.Audi’s S and RS models are the fastest movers and are likely to rival HSV in terms of overall sales this year.More than 2400 buyers have chosen Audi performance models, against about 800 sales at the same time last year. That number should surge over the next couple of months with the introduction of the S1 Sportback, which at $49,900 is the cheapest quattro model in the four-ringed line-up.Benz has shifted more than 2200 of its AMG-badged cars and can likewise expect a surge in sales after last month’s GLA45 AMG compact SUV launch.It is a similar story at BMW, despite a gap between the run-out of its old M3 and the launch of the new M3 sedan and M4 coupe/convertible.BMW has sold 1142 M-badged cars to October’s end, a 75 per cent increase on 2013.

Drop-top BMW M4 arrives in Australian showrooms with boosted performance and value over M3 predecessor. The folding hardtop version of BMW's new M4 performance model is now on sale in Australia.The M4 Convertible replaces the old E93 M3 Convertible and is priced from $178,430, representing a $2320 saving over the equivalent previous model. The dual-clutch auto was a pricey $7300 option on the old V8-powered M3 Convertible, but is now a no-cost option across the entire M3 and M4 range – including the new drop-top.Also like the existing M3 and M4 models, the M4 Convertible is powered by a 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight six engine that pumps out 317kW and 550Nm. Despite carrying around an extra 250kg over the coupe, the open-top M4 can still crack 100km/h in a spritely 4.4 seconds – three tenths slower than the coupe.The BMW's only direct rival is the Audi RS5 Convertible, which has 331kW but 120Nm less torque from its naturally aspirated V8 and is half a second slower to 100km/h. The Audi is slightly cheaper at $176,400, but is thirstier and has an expensive list of options, including $4700 for adaptive suspension (standard on the M4) and $4900 for sports bucket seats.The M4 Convertible is lower, wider and altogether more aggressive looking than a standard 4 Series drop-top. It features deeper and more aggressive air intakes, pumped up wheel arches, aerodynamically optimized door mirrors, four exhaust tips around the back and wider wheels and tyres.Beneath the sheetmetal there's all new suspension hardware with standard adaptive dampers and larger brakes with carbon ceramic discs available as an option. An electronically controlled Active M Differential also features and can vary the amount of power sent to each wheel or lock the rear wheels together completely for controlled drifts.Inside the M4 convertible gains sports seats which are unique to the drop-top and feature illuminated 'M' badges and 'Air Collar' functionality. Sports steering wheel, leather-covered dashboard and carbon fiber trim pieces also feature.BMW claim the new model offers more than $10,800 worth of extra value over the old M3 Convertible with standard features including, seats with integrated air-con vents, rear-view camera, surround-view camera, M-DCT dual clutch auto transmission, iDrive touch controller and DAB digital radio.The M4's electrically operated metal folding hardtop takes 20 seconds to open or close, which can be activated at speeds of up to 18km/h. With the roof closed the boot offers 370-litres of luggage space, which shrinks to 220-litres with the hardtop folded away.

The BMW M4 Coupe almost enters uncharted waters in new video.

German prestige brand's tuning arm will concentrate on power-to-weight ratio. The boffins at BMW's motorsport-inspired M Division have turned out some of the best performance cars any keen driver could want, and the M badge has become a byword for great handling and high power.But it seems the power part of the equation may have hit a plateau, with BMW saying that future developments will focus on trimming weight from the cars rather than uprating the engines.“We want to be in a different league for power-to-weight, but we prefer to have a car that weighs 1000kg rather than one with 1000 horsepower,” M-Division’s head of product management, Carsten Pries said.It's true that the M cars could stand to lose a few kilos -- as they've grown in size and increasingly added new cabin technology and safety equipment over the years, they've also stacked on extra weight. And the new strategy will not only produce cars that handle better, but are also more fuel-efficient -- not that many M buyers care about the fuel bill, but efficiency is the latest Holy Grail for the European car industry, with the favoured answers being lighter cars with smaller turbocharged engines.As Carlist points out, the new strategy can already seen in the new 2014 BMW M3 and M4, which are trimmer and carry a smaller turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine compared to the V8-powered E92 it replaced. And who wouldn't applaud a move that could leads to more lightweight, driver-focused and agile cars like the E30 M3.

The convertible will be the third 'M' car BMW has unveiled this year, following the new M3 sedan and M4 Coupe unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show back in January. The three models share the same basic chassis architecture, engine and gearboxes.The M4's engine is a brand new 3.0-litre turbocharged straight six, which seems similar on paper to the unit found in lesser 435i models, but uses all new internals and a different turbo setup which allows it to produce some serious grunt. Peak power is 317kW and torque is a substantial 550Nm.Compared to the 4.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 of the old M3 Convertible power is up 8kW but torque has swelled by 150Nm which should equate to more accessible performance. The new model is also more fuel-efficient than its predecessor with 9.1L/100km possible in the manual car or 8.7L/100km with the automatic gearbox.While lighter than the old V8 M3 Convertible by around 60kg, the new M4 Convertible still isn't a lightweight. The new car weighs 1750kg or around 250kg more than its coupe sibling. Still, BMW claims the M4's suspension has been tuned for maximum precision and response, and in terms of straight-line acceleration this convertible is more than brisk.Zero to 100km/h takes 4.6 seconds with the DIY manual gearbox – that can automatically blip the throttle on downshifts - or 4.4 seconds if you option the quick-shifting seven-speed dual clutch transmission – around 0.8 seconds quicker than the old M3 Convertible.In terms of styling the M4 Convertible is noticeably more sporting than lesser 4 drop-tops. The 'M' car receives an aggressive front bumper with some big gaping air intakes, a heavily contoured bonnet, wider front and rear fenders, the former featuring aerodynamic gills, and the rear bumper houses quad exhaust tips. You'll also spot new wheels, colored brake calipers and new mirror caps.Inside the upgrades include sports seats with special 'M' badging and an M-specific steering wheel. There is also some leather-look material placed over the dashboard and center console, though we suspect this will feature on the updated 3 Series which is due to be released later this year.The electrically operated metal folding hardtop takes 20 seconds to lower, and this can be done at speeds of up to 18km/h. With the roof stowed away, boot space shrinks from 370-litres to 220.The M4 Convertible will make its public debut in New York later this month before heading our way late this year or early 2015. 

The Hoff's KITT for saleBased on a 1982 Pontiac Firebird, KITT was the car sidekick everybody wanted to roll with. And somebody will get a chance to do just that with the one owned by The Hoff.Holden Commodore sales surge puts it in fourth positionThe Holden Commodore has made a surprising recovery in the March sales race with a staggering 85 per cent sales increase compared with the same month the prior year -- narrowly missing a place on the podium as the nation's fourth most popular car. Preliminary figures show it was the Commodore's third-best monthly sales tally since the new VF model went on sale 10 months ago, as the Holden brand overall posted a 19 per cent sales surge.BMW M3 and M4 | videoBMW shows off the coming M3 sedan and M4 convertible -- arriving in Australia in June -- with some action footage.Mazda joins the demo derby, moving masses of 'dealer demonstrator' carsThe Mazda3 may be Australia's top-selling car so far this year according to official sales data -- but a special investigation by Carsguide has unearthed the industry secret that is driving its sales. A staggering one-third of Mazda3s sold in January and February were so-called “dealer demonstrator” models -- more than four times the industry average for “demo” vehicle sales, which is 7 per cent.Road safety expert slams 'revenue raising' speed finesA leading road safety expert has called for all revenue from speeding fines to go directly into building safer roads -- and warned the government's constant focus on speed is blinding us to other causes of car crashes. The national road toll fell to its lowest level in 89 years in 2013 but more than 200,000 people are expected to be injured on Australian roads between now and 2020. Injury rates are not falling as dramatically and are a bigger financial burden on the community because of the ongoing medical treatment.PlusRenault Kangoo stands up to crash test 2014 Toyota HiAce | new car sales price2014 Nissan X-Trail pricing and specifications 

Watch the BMW M3 and M4 video on our desktop site.

Slicing two cylinders off BMW's hot M-Series mid-size machines has had a remarkable effect - not only does it boost performance but it also slashes fuel consumption. Replacing the 4.0-litre V8 with a bi-turbo 3.0-litre inline six, the BMW M3 sedan and M4 coupe arrive in September in their fifth generation with lightweight cladding and race-tuned drivetrain.They were shown at last week's Geneva motor show - though, strangely, set at the back of the stand to give prominence to the i8 and the front-wheel drive Touring hatchback. The M3/M4 six-cylinder replaces the V8 introduced in the 2007 E90 model, returning the cylinder count to that of the E36/46 that started as a 210kW 2.0-litre.Model designations now pick up BMW's ostensibly clearer coding of odd numbers for sedans, evens for coupes and convertibles - hence M3 for the sedan and M4 for the two-door. BMW Australia says it's champing at the bit to get the pair. No prices or final specs are available though it's unlikely they'd be an increase on the existing models.The current entry-level Pure coupe costs $131,945 as a dual-clutch automatic. Developed for the M3 and M4, the new bi-turbo engine pumps 317kW and, more importantly, 550Nm of torque - up 40 per cent on the outgoing V8-engined M3.It will be available as a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, with the latter being as quick as the manual but more frugal.The optional dual-clutch auto includes an integrated launch control and a "smoky burnout" function to allow some rear-wheel spin while the car is moving at low speeds. The BMW also engages the clutch when the car is understeering, to return it to the cornering line. The dual-clutch versions claim 8.3L/100km (8.8L for the manual), down 25 per cent on the current model.The 0-100km/h sprint takes 4.1 seconds in both variants, down from 4.6 seconds. Both cars have carbon-fibre roof panels and components to reduce weight. The coupe, for example, is only 1497kg which is down about 80kg on the existing two-door M3.For the first time, the track-specification cooling setup keeps the engine, transmission and turbochargers at the optimum temperature. Externally, the cars carry the wider stance of the donor models and add subtle aerodynamic aids to maintain downforce and ease fuel consumption.The M3 has a larger rear spoiler than the boot lip of the M4. Both have a smooth underbody and large front spoiler, both succeed in reducing lift equally at the front and rear axles.BMW M Division head of development Albert Biermann says air is channelled through the grille, then the oil cooler to create a Venturi effect that reduces front-axle lift and improves steering feel. Even the distinctive side mirrors, unique to these models, are on twin stalks to reduce drag.This reporter is on Twitter: @cg_dowling

The M3 sedan and M4 coupe will take on Benz's bahn-storming C63 AMG and already have the on-paper victory. The duo rocket to 100km/h in just 4.1 seconds with the optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. That's 0.1 of a second quicker than the M-B 507 Edition and 0.4 of a second faster than a standard C63.Mercedes still holds the outright power edge with 336kW and 600Nm but concedes about 100kg in weight to the BMWs. Beemer has dropped the 4.0-litre V8 (309kW/400Nm) and reverted to an in-line six-cylinder engine with a pair of turbochargers to boost outputs to 317kW and 550Nm while trimming fuel use by 25 per cent. Claimed fuel consumption is down to 8.8 litres/100km for the manual models and 8.3 seconds for the auto. The outgoing Benz uses 12.1L/100km.BMW has used carbon-fibre reinforced plastic to help trim weight and improve handling. The roof, drive shaft and front strut brace are all crafted from the high-strength composite, while the bonnet, front side panels and suspension components are aluminium.An electric power-steering unit has three in-built driving modes that regulate steering wheel heft and responsiveness. Adaptive dampers with three-way adjustment will also be offered as an option.BMW Australia spokesman Scott Croaker says the cars will arrive in Australia in the third quarter next year. "Visually the M3 represents the biggest change from the donor car," Croaker says. "The 4 Series coupe is already fairly aggressive and has a wide rear track so the changes to the M specification aren't as pronounced."In another first for BMW both cars will arrive simultaneously. "Previously there was around a six-month gap between the sedan and coupe," Croaker says. 'Now we have two separate models that doesn't apply." Croaker says final specification and pricing for Australian models has yet to be determined but prospective buyers will need $150,000 based on the cost of the current car.The vehicles will be built on the production lines of their respective family models, so M4s will be sourced from Munich and the M3 will arrive from Regensburg.BMW M3/M4 Price: $150,000 (est)Warranty: 3 years/unlimited kmCapped servicing: NoService intervals: 12 months/25,000kmResale: 57 per cent (est)Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl twin-turbo, 317kW/550NmTransmission: 6-speed man, 7-speed dual-clutch auto; RWDThirst: 8.3L-8.8L/100km, 194g-204g/km CO2Dimensions: 4.7m (L), 1.9m (W), 1.4m (H)Weight: 1537-1635kgSpare: None 

With the new BMW M4 Coupe out in the open it's only a matter of time before its convertible counterpart is unveiled. Carsguide spy photographers have captured the new M4 Convertible in minimal camouflage, leaving little to the imagination.The front-end design is, logically, identical to that of the M4 Coupe. BMW's new 'connected' headlight design – integrated with the wider kidney grille -- features with large, aggressive-looking air intakes below. Like the M4 Coupe, the Convertible also features a bonnet bulge, more aerodynamic door mirrors, 'gills' in the front fenders and quad exhaust tips.The M4 Convertible is also considerably wider than standard 4 Series Convertible models with flared front and rear wheel arches housing wider wheels and tyres that give a sportier stance. A metal folding hardtop that exaggerates the convertible's hip width has also replaced the Coupe's long sloping roof so the M4 Convertible looks especially aggressive when viewed from the rear.And with a 3.0-litre twin turbo straight-six engine under the bonnet, you'll probably be seeing a lot of the M4's rear. Peak power is up from 309kw to 315kw and torque has risen from 400nm to 550nm compared to the old M3 Convertible, which the M4 replaces. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a standard six-speed manual transmission or optional M-DCT double clutch system. The M4 transmits its power to the road through an electronically controlled limited slip differential dubbed 'Active M-Differential.'In Coupe form the M4 takes just 4.1 seconds to reach 100km/h if the M-DCT gearbox is optioned or 4.8 seconds for the three-pedalled car. But the convertible is expected to be slightly slower due to its extra curb weight. Like the new M4 Coupe the latest topless M car is expected to be significantly lighter than the M3 model that it replaces thanks to increased use of aluminium and carbon fibre in the body. The new model will also be more fuel-efficient than the old V8-powered M3.Expect the new BMW M4 Convertible to debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month and go on sale in overseas markets shortly afterward, possibly reaching Australia at the end of the year or early in 2015.