Visuals
Stare at the gnarly front, and you can identify the humble 3 Series/4 Series stare back, shrouded somewhere amongst the M-specific, aggressive front bumper work, the flared bonnet and the stunning Austin Yellow paintjob.
For the M3/M4, traditional BMW elements like the chrome lipped twin-bar kidney grille now come with black grille bars- reflecting the design of those tasty M double spoke wheels. The right kidney bears a M logo now.
The headlamps reminisce of the 3 Series/4 Series, but for the M3/M4, there’s an optional all-LED treatment. The long bonnet gets something called a power dome- a small rump on the surface, to create some breathing space for the forced-induced motor’s inter-cooler.
The front bumper has its share of M-like muscled flares and deep vents, with all that powerful contouring marking a fine balance between style and aerodynamic functionality.
The sides have the 3-Series/4-Series in them as well, save for the pumped up wheel arches; functional fender placed M gills and some sporty skirting. The M3 and M4 put forward the best iteration of the hallmark BMW proportions- a long bonnet, long wheelbase, set-back glasshouse and a short front overhang.
Familiar M design elements like the newly designed M gills, which have integrated Air Breathers to team up with the Air Curtains up front to optimize airflow around the wheel arches, accentuate the stance, along with those tasty 18 inch light alloy, M double spoke wheels. Then there are the striking wing mirrors, which have horns, but are also designed to optimize the airflow around it.
Sexy 18 inch light alloy, M double spoke wheels, wrapped by sticky 255/40 ZR18 95Y (front); 275/40 ZR18 99Y (rear) Michelin Pilot Super Sport rubber.
The rear is where the M3 and the M4 differentiate themselves visually. While the M3 adds a couple of extra doors and ends up as a sedan, the M4 follows a classic, coupe profile.
While the swooping roof-line of the M4 ends in a carbon-fiber reinforced plastic tail gate with an integrated rear spoiler to reduce lift, the M3 has to do with a Gurney rear spoiler. Rear illumination is borrowed from their humbler 3-Series/4-Series cousins.
Both cars also have CRFP roofs, all in the name of losing flab and better structural integrity. While the rear bumper reflects the car’s athletic potency like the one on the front, there’s also a new, slanting pair of twin exhaust tail pipes, framed like jewels with its integrated diffuser.
Beautiful, chrome licked exhaust tips: wish they emitted something more sonorous though
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