German car major BMW has launched the performance oriented M-Series vehicles for the Indian market at an event held in Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida. The models to come to the Indian shores are the BMW M3 sedan and the M4 coupe. Cricketing legend and BMW’s brand ambassador for India, Sachin Tendulkar unveiled the new BMW M-Series cars at the ongoing BMW Experience Tour 2014 event at the Buddh International Circuit.
Speaking about the introduction of the BMW M-series cars, Dr Friedrich Nitschke, President BMW GmbH said, “Four generations of the BMW M3 have blended motor sport genes and uncompromised everyday usability within an emotionally rich overall concept. The BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe represent an ongoing commitment to this philosophy. The engine is the heart of every M model, and the new turbocharged six-cylinder unit fitted in the two new cars combines the virtues of a high-revving naturally aspirated unit with the strengths of turbocharger technology. A committed lightweight design concept produces a weight saving of around 80 kilograms over the outgoing M3.”
Dr Nitschke further added, “The BMW M3 and BMW M4 take motor sport technology from the track to the road, and thousands of laps of the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife – the world’s most exacting race track – have readied the new models for that transition. Meticulous and passion-fuelled development work has underpinned the creation of two high-performance sports cars that set new standards in terms of overall concept, precision and agility.”
At the heart of the new BMW M3 sedan and the M4 coupe is a high-revving, inline six-cylinder engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology, freshly developed for these cars. The 2979cc engine produces a maximum output of 431 hp at 5500-7300 rpm and 550Nm of peak torque at 1850-55020 rpm. This power mill outstrips the figure recorded by the outgoing BMW M3 by roughly 40 percent. Yet the engine also achieves a reduction in fuel consumption and emissions of nearly 25 percent. Both the BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe cover the sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds with the standard 6-speed manual transmission and even 3.9 seconds with the optional 7-speed M Double Clutch Transmission.
Speaking about the newly developed inline six-cylinder engine, Albert Biermann, Head of Development BMW M GmbH said, “When developing a new model we first think about what requirements the vehicle will be expected to meet, and then decide which concepts and technologies will best meet these goals.”
In the interests of maximizing dynamic ability and ensuring better efficiency, weight savings of around 63 kilograms have been achieved over a comparably equipped predecessor model. The BMW M3 sedan has been priced at Rs 1.20 crore (ex-showroom Delhi) while the M4 coupe comes at Rs 1.22 crore (ex-showroom Delhi).
A track review of the BMW M3 sedan and M4 coupe is coming real soon so stay tuned to Motoroids for the complete drive experience.