BMW M4 Caught Undergoing High Speed Testing At Nürburgring

The latest spy shots of the new BMW M4, which is seen here performing high-speed testing at the Nürburgring ahead of the car's launch late next year, reveal the new coupé's lower suspension, wider wheel arches and distinctive quad-exhausts.

The M4 marks the beginnings of an expansion of the 3-series line-up. It replaces both the coupé and cabriolet variants of the M3 in favour of 4-series re-badging, leaving the M3 as a stand-alone four-door saloon. The marketing scheme mirrors that of the 5-series and 6-series, with BMW charging a premium for the more upscale model as it seeks to provide more distinct driving and styling experiences from the standard saloon models.

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85bmw745i - 10/9/2012 12:25:59 AM

-1 Boost

So the 2 door 3 series will be the 4 series, yet the 4 door 6 series is the 6 series gran coupe? So will the 2 series coupe be a 2 series? This namings thing is getting ridiculous! BMW get it together, and while you are at it, bring BMWs feel back to where it was. Hate to say it butI am really put off by BMW's actions as of late. If the current M5 had the feel of the last two it would be untouchable. Now its too soft and steering lacks feel. Even though its not as fast I'll take the previous M5 and its snarling high reving V10.

JRobUSC - 10/9/2012 3:15:58 PM

+3 Boost

Are you really having that much difficulty? Because, seriously, I don't see how. Odd numbers are sedans/hatches/wagons. Even numbers are coupes/convertibles/gran coupes. Period. It's not that hard.

Audi has used similar nomenclature for years, just with the evens and odds reversed, and no one seems to have any problems. A5 coupe, A5 convertible, and A5 sportback (aka gran coupe), all based on the A4. There's an A7 (which would be a Sportback, aka gran coupe), based on the A6. If they made an A6 two door it would be an A7 Coupe.

So yes, there will be a 1-Series family of sedans, hatches, and wagons, and a 2-Series family of coupes, convertibles, and possibly a gran coupe based on that 1-Series. There'll be 3-Series sedans, hatches, and wagons, and 4-Series two door coupes, convertibles, and gran coupes based on the 3-Series. There's already a 5-Series sedan, hatch, and wagon, and a 6-Series coupe, convertible, and gran coupe based on the 5-Series. If they ever come out with an 8-Series it'll be a coupe, convertible, and gran coupe version of the 7-Series. See how that works? If anything it's easier, and frankly it makes more sense than what BMW was doing before (and a lot more sense than Benz's system). If you can tell even numbers from odd numbers, and I am assuming you can, you shouldn't have any trouble with BMW's new nomenclature.

bmwm6 - 10/10/2012 12:47:22 PM

+1 Boost

BMW differentiated the 5 and 6 series since the 80's, which are basically sedan, and coupe versions of the same car. More recently Audi followed suit by making the A5 a coupe version of the A4.

BMW going downmarket? Cheapest BMW rivals the A3, BMW has nothing in the sub premium A1's price range on the books. Also BMW has had turbo engines since the early 70's....before Audi.