The 2014 BMW M3 coupe replacement, expected to be called the BMW M4, has been caught with the least amount of camouflage we've yet seen. It has also been caught alongside final-round testing of the BMW 4 Series Convertible.
The BMW M4 coupe is confirmed by BMW for a mid-2014 reveal alongside its near-twin M3 sedan.
In addition to the two-door versions dropping the BMW M Division's most iconic badge, the M4 coupe, M4 convertible and M3 sedan will all swap naturally aspirated V8 power for a turbocharged in-line six-cylinder of rumoured 3.3-litre capacity.
Whether two or three turbochargers will be used is unclear, but the engine will produce substantially more than the 309kW and 400Nm made by the current M3, and more than the 450Nm made by the $70,000 M135i hatchback.
Compared with the regular 4 Series coupe, the M4 coupe prototype reveals a more aggressive front bumper and double vertical slats inside its double kidney grille.
The guards of the M4 coupe prototype – particularly the fronts – are far more muscular than that of the regular 4 Series coupe, indicating a much wider front track for the M4.
Double five-spoke alloy wheels fill the guards, appearing to be 20-inch in size – far larger than the 18-inch wheels standard on the current M3 coupe – while the door mirrors are like the outgoing generation a bespoke design.
At the rear quad exhausts appear to be the biggest change.
The BMW 4 Series Coupe is expected to be revealed in production form at the Frankfurt motor show in September, following the debut of the close-to-production concept model at the North American International Motor Show in Detroit in January.
While it will go on-sale later this year, Australians will have to wait until mid 2014 before the car arrives on our shores – or about the same time the M4 coupe, M3 sedan and 4 Series Convertible (above) will be unveiled. The latest generation of the BMW M Division's compact models and the drop-top regular versions are both tipped to arrive here late next year.
