BMW F80 M3 / F82 M4 to Debut at Detroit + Lightweight Details (via M CEO Interview)

[300hp]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Motor Trend: Would you agree that BMW M and Mercedes AMG and Audi Quattro RS cars are getting more similar – the move to turbos, the increasing prevalence of all-wheel drive?

Friedrich Nitschke: Well, turbo engines greatly cut fuel consumption and add torque, and you can’t do that with naturally aspirated engines. But the M philosophy is to combine the best high-rev features with the torque of a turbo. The M5 goes to 7400 rpm. I’m convinced that most race cars will have turbos. And the new M3 will have one of the best engines we have ever done.

MT: And all-wheel drive?

FN: As to all-wheel drive, we use it on M Performance Automobiles [and the X5 M and X6 M] but it’s not necessary on M cars. On the new M3 it would add 80 kg [176 pounds] and the steering would not be pure any more. It’s not worth it. The car has 50:50 weight distribution and new traction management and a new differential, a development of the principle of the M5′s, with torque vectoring, so it has excellent traction.

MT: That’s twice you have called it the “new M3.” We were expecting M4.

FN: Well the M3 is the icon, everybody is waiting for the fifth generation and I will bring one for absolutely certain, a sedan. Yes the coupe and convertible will be called M4.

MT: But the M4 coupe is first?

FN: I think both M3 and M4 will be at the Detroit Show [BIMMERPOST edit: Detroit Show starts January 13, 2014].

MT: Each M3 has always had fewer cylinders than the M5 of the same era, right?

FN: Yes [smiles].

MT: And I never heard of a seven-cylinder engine…

FN: [Laughs]

MT: Tell me about light weight. Is the new M4 lighter than a 435i?

FN: Absolutely. We will use lightweight parts in the places where it matters, at the ends of the car and high up, and in high-rpm parts of the powertrain. A carbon fiber roof, of course, and aluminum and magnesium and carbon fiber in the crash zones. An aluminum hood, and a new carbon fiber trunk lid.

Full interview: http://wot.motortrend.com/interview-...m4-387337.html

Also see:
F80 news/updates
F82 news/updates

[pootytang]

Wow, nice find, that's the most info I've seen on the M3 straight from the horses mouth. One thing that stuck out to me - "The car has 50:50 weight distribution and new traction management and a new differential, a development of the principle of the M5's, with torque vectoring, so it has excellent traction. " That would be insane if M develops a torque vectoring system for a car like the M3, probably puts it in contention for P like handling prowess. At this point I find it hard to imagine that I'll be driving anything else in 3-4 years.

BTW, do you run a 3 monitor setup at work with one set to MT home page? You are so quick to the draw I might suspect you work there haha

[Maz335i]

Very nice article!

The next gen M3 sounds soo exciting...cant wait for them to release it!

[300hp]

Originally Posted by drob23

Wow, nice find, that's the most info I've seen on the M3 straight from the horses mouth. One thing that stuck out to me - "The car has 50:50 weight distribution and new traction management and a new differential, a development of the principle of the M5's, with torque vectoring, so it has excellent traction. " That would be insane if M develops a torque vectoring system for a car like the M3, probably puts it in contention for P like handling prowess. At this point I find it hard to imagine that I'll be driving anything else in 3-4 years.

BTW, do you run a 3 monitor setup at work with one set to MT home page? You are so quick to the draw I might suspect you work there haha

Nah, I am trying to get Bimmerpost to pay me for these threads. Got to pay the mortgage, right


Yes the M3 is just putting everyone on notice that you should probably be saving your money for this car. Totally agree in 3 to 4 years it may be our time to step up to this level of excellence. Its just sooo promising

This exchange was funny:

MT: Each M3 has always had fewer cylinders than the M5 of the same era, right?

FN: Yes [smiles].

MT: And I never heard of a seven-cylinder engine…

FN: [Laughs]

[solstice]

This is very exciting confirmation of weight saving details. It sounds like a very significant overhaul of the car to save weight. I'm liking it.

"MT: Tell me about light weight. Is the new M4 lighter than a 435i?

FN: Absolutely. We will use lightweight parts in the places where it matters, at the ends of the car and high up, and in high-rpm parts of the powertrain. A carbon fiber roof, of course, and aluminum and magnesium and carbon fiber in the crash zones. An aluminum hood, and a new carbon fiber trunk lid."

IMO the likelyhood that the M3's weight will start with 33 when equipped for lowest weight is going from maybe to likely. This is by far the most detailed, important, best and reliable info I've seen about he car. Thanks!

[hyperboost]

Great stuff to read. Can't wait for te official debut

[itf joegun]

Thanks 300hp for the info! Highly appreciated!

[PapajimG]

Some OT

Will the auto show take place after yesterday's events? Do you have any infos on an eventual cancellation?

...The city of Detroit filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy protection in federal court Thursday...



Can't wait to see the car

[DASHOCKER]

Nice! This car is going to be nuts. That upcoming lexus f coupe thing will be a still born.

[Sean@PSI]

Cannot Wait!!!!!!!

[Doctor///M]

Awesome! Thanks!

[lm1z]

Originally Posted by DASHOCKER

Nice! This car is going to be nuts. That upcoming lexus f coupe thing will be a still born.

[dreamspeed]

So the pessimist in me came up with 2 issues.

1. The M4 will be lighter than the 435 according to the interview but is he trying to be sneaky by saying a bare bones no option M4 will be lighter than a fully loaded 435? There is a big difference in weight between a no option vs. optioned out car

2. New torque vectoring technology, it's not exactly a new breakthrough is it? The current M cars (E92 M3 included) already has "torque vectoring" by way of the M Differential. So he's talking more of improving what is already there vs. implementing something completely new and amazing.

I know, i know, i'm a Debbie Downer

[viciousfire]

Originally Posted by dreamspeed

2. New torque vectoring technology, it's not exactly a new breakthrough is it? The current M cars (E92 M3 included) already has "torque vectoring" by way of the M Differential. So he's talking more of improving what is already there vs. implementing something completely new and amazing.

I know, i know, i'm a Debbie Downer

Current M3 doesn't have torque vectoring differential. It started with the X5M/X6M and M5/M6.

[eMvy]

FN: And the new M3 will have one of the best engines we have ever done.

Wow, that is really bold statement, especially when the M3 is coming from one of the best production V8s in the world. Let's not even mention some of the other masterpiece engines. Please be true.


FN: As to all-wheel drive, we use it on M Performance Automobiles [and the X5 M and X6 M] but it’s not necessary on M cars. On the new M3 it would add 80 kg [176 pounds] and the steering would not be pure any more. It’s not worth it. The car has 50:50 weight distribution and new traction management and a new differential, a development of the principle of the M5′s, with torque vectoring, so it has excellent traction.




FN: Absolutely. We will use lightweight parts in the places where it matters, at the ends of the car and high up, and in high-rpm parts of the powertrain. A carbon fiber roof, of course, and aluminum and magnesium and carbon fiber in the crash zones. An aluminum hood, and a new carbon fiber trunk lid.

Is this why the new M3/4 have different model codes - because the chassis and other elements deviate so far from the F30/F32 platform?

[wdeerfield]

i know not an m purists, but no awd? with how powerful the cars are becoming, i would have thought awd would be needed to put the traction down

[bklynbimmer]

God damn it! I guess I'll be broke for another 3 years lol

[wisesoul]

Originally Posted by dreamspeed

So the pessimist in me came up with 2 issues.

1. The M4 will be lighter than the 435 according to the interview but is he trying to be sneaky by saying a bare bones no option M4 will be lighter than a fully loaded 435? There is a big difference in weight between a no option vs. optioned out car

2. New torque vectoring technology, it's not exactly a new breakthrough is it? The current M cars (E92 M3 included) already has "torque vectoring" by way of the M Differential. So he's talking more of improving what is already there vs. implementing something completely new and amazing.

I know, i know, i'm a Debbie Downer

As far as I know, the E9X M3 had a locking diff, but torque vectoring is proportioning power to a certain wheel-usually outside rear wheel (yaw control, think Mitsubishi Evo, X5/X6M etc) The E9X cannot do that, but can vary degrees of lock to achieve to have different speeds between the wheels. Correct me if I'm wrong please

[alexmtl_135i]

Not to hijack the thread but there is also something very interesting in this interview:

MT: What about below the M3 and M4?
FN: There’s no decision yet. But I absolutely want to develop a successor model to the 1 Series M Coupe. I have all the components I need – the powertrain, chassis. In the near future you will know. We can’t call it the M1, because that number is for the special mid-engined car, but there is M2, isn’t there?

MT: What about a four-cylinder M car?
FN: Not in the near future. But it’s possible. Our engines are modular.


So he kind of confirms the M2, and he seems to confirm that it won't be a 4 cylinders.
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[solstice]

Originally Posted by DASHOCKER

Nice! This car is going to be nuts. That upcoming lexus f coupe thing will be a still born.

I agree, BMW has opened the door to sports sedans superiority wide open for Lexus, Audi and Benz lately but with the F80 I think they will once again shut the door and throw away the key. The presents from Munich to it's competitors will be gone and replaced with missiles. Order will be restored.

[RMB]

Great information and thanks for posting. The engine sounds like it will be great, and the handling and suspension will be awesome.

[DrivenByE30]

But there is a 3 Cyl...