2015 BMW M4 Coupe (F82) Spied!

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2015 BMW M4 Coupe (F82) Spied!

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UPDATE: Although not visible in these photos, you can expect the F82 M4 coupe to receive the same (or very similar) hood lip/bulge that we recently spotted for the first time on the F80 M3 sedan.

We've heard rumblings in recent weeks that the F82 M4 coupe had begun its public testing rounds and our spies have now spotted it for the very first time in and around the BMW M Test Center at the Nurburgring!

The prototype wears the typical heavy camouflage of early stage mules, but there's plenty to analyze. There's little doubt that this is the M version of the upcoming F32 4 Series coupe. There are the signature M quad exhausts, the flared fenders, signature blue M brakes, wide tires, and M6 steering wheel.

Body

Both the front and rear fenders on the M4 coupe are significantly flared and stretched compared to the F32 4 Series prototypes we have spotted. The rear flare is easy to spot, while the front is less conspicuous. But, one can easily see in some photos a the gap in the front fender camouflage which clearly shows the front fender as much wider than the rest of the side body. The stretched fenders will accommodate a wider track for the M4 (vs the regular 4 Series).

Although not visible in these photos, you can expect the F82 M4 coupe to receive the same (or very similar) hood lip/bulge that we recently spotted for the first time on the F80 M3 sedan.

Underneath the completely covered front fascia will be a sleeker version of the F30 3 Series front end, with sportier lights and grilles (which have now been revealed on the F32 4 Series prototypes). There will of course be M styled front bumper as well. The mirrors are from the F30 3 Series and for testing purposes only. The final production mirrors will be sportier, but may not be revealed until even after the concept debuts (like the F10 M5).

Carbon Fiber Roof / Brakes

This particular mule does not appear to feature a carbon fiber roof, but we're fairly sure that the production M4 Coupe will utilize a carbon fiber roof. Its brakes resemble the new 3 Series' M Sport brakes, paired with steel cross drilled rotors. The wheels are the same as seen on the F80 M3 sedan test mules, as well as the ones peeking out from under the tarp covered BMW Museum mystery car, which we deduced to be the M4 coupe.

Interior

The presence of shift paddles in the interior reveals that this prototype is a DCT model, but the next M3/M4 will also come with a manual transmission option, as it's already been spotted on F80 M3 prototypes. The steering wheel seen here comes from the new M6.

Powertrain

The F80 M3 and F82 M4 will be powered by an inline 6 cylinder engine with multiple turbochargers, pushing the engine's output to approximately 450 horsepowers. The engine is now rumored to be an extensively reworked and reinforced N55 6-cylinder engine with a strengthened aluminium block with a heavily modified cylinder head. The Induction technology is said to be completely new as will be the latest bi-vanos variable valve timing.

The F80 M3 / F82 M4 will not be constructed extensively from carbon fiber (CFRP) as some earlier reports had speculated. Because this next generation M3/M4 began development two years ago, it's said to have been too early to take advantage of BMW's CFRP developments with the later introduction of the BMW i cars/project. The first model (besides the i cars) that will have extensive CFRP incorporated into its construction will be the next generation 7 Series, as reported earlier.

Even without extensive CFRP construction, the next M3/M4 will be lighter than the current M3 sedan and coupe however, owing to its new aluminum chassis, and aluminum and reinforced plastic body panels.

The following is a summary of the facts we can be certain of regarding the F80 M3 / F82 M4:

• Lighter than current M3
• Faster than current M3
• More powerful than current M3
• More efficient than current M3
• Powered by an inline 6 cylinder turbo engine
• Offered with optional or standard manual transmission
• Electric Power Steering (completely reworked for precision for M3/M4)
• M3 Introduced late 2013 - early 2014
• M4 Introduced no earlier than late 2014

*Click on images for hi-resolution version*

UPDATED PHOTOS:



























ORIGINAL PHOTOS:

Visual Comparison of F32 4 Series Prototypes to E92 3 Series Prototypes at Similar Testing Stage

To provide some perspective of how the F32 compares to the E92 at a similar testing/camouflage stage, we revisit the earliest E92 coupe test prototype photos from back at the end of 2005 and we've posted below a comparison of the F32 coupe at this early stage camouflage compared to the E92 coupe during its early stages of testing.

Scrutinizing the photos, it's easy to see how a camouflaged coupe appears overly lengthy and bulky, especially with respect to the front and rear fascias, which still have heavy and cumbersome camouflage.

Keeping in mind how attractive the E92 coupe turned out in production form, we wouldn't bet against BMW with respect to the F32's (or F82 M4's) design. Of course it's always a bit silly to declare final judgment on a car based on preliminary heavy-camo images, so the point here is that it's wise to reserve your judgments until the car is fully revealed (or at least loses most of its camouflage).


* E92 3 Series Coupe Prototype (from 2005) vs. F32 4 Series Coupe Prototype (2012)

[Jblack4083]

Some Observations:

Of course it's very early to judge but the general shape looks very unexciting to me. Of course who knows what camo panels are under there...

Was expecting bigger front brakes... maybe six piston brakes.

Fender flares look a bit odd. I'll wait to see how this shapes out. Hopefully it doesn't end up like the C63 lol.

[swamp2]

Damn, I want a close up of that tachometer. I guess though that would only be really insightful if it was both running and warmed up...

What is with the really odd tail lights?

Nice brakes, well nice calipers at least. Unfortunately the rotors look like the same old BMW Motorsport design. They are good in that they are composite, probably fairly lightweight an aluminum hat but they still have that poor design feature where the hat blocks much of the cooling flow...

Ugly too visible muffler (again), ugh.

Anyone think the mirrors are a finalized design?

[Jason]

Originally Posted by swamp2

Damn, I want a close up of that tachometer. I guess though that would only be really insightful if it was both running and warmed up...

What is with the really odd tail lights?

Nice brakes, well nice calipers at least. Unfortunately the rotors look like the same old BMW Motorsport design. They are good in that they are composite, probably fairly lightweight an aluminum hat but they still have that poor design feature where the hat blocks much of the cooling flow...

Ugly too visible muffler (again), ugh.

Anyone think the mirrors are a finalized design?

The odd tail lights are the typical early camouflage versions, simply there for functional purposes and completely hiding the actual lights underneath.

Per the article that's now been posted above, the mirrors are prototype stage only. The production model will see sportier mirrors.

[crowed]

For anyone who is worried-- refer to the following post also by Jason: http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=611044

It reminds you that camo is there for just that... hiding the nuances of the true design underneath

[Jason]

Originally Posted by crowed

For anyone who is worried-- refer to the following post also by Jason: http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=611044

It reminds you that camo is there for just that... hiding the nuances of the true design underneath

Thanks for that reference. It's really something helpful to keep in mind when viewing spy photos.

[DDS2015]

So excited for this. I already know its going to be my next car.

[PALMAN]

No CF roof ??

[aajami]

It's too early to make much of the design at this point, as it's still plastered with camo.

Interesting muffler canisters, though. And I am not a fan of the tapered and rolled exhaust tips. The tapering is a new thing for M cars -- they almost look like x28i tips. Not a fan at all -- I'll wait for the single-walled straight-cut M Performance exhaust.

[Jason]

Added more photos to the article.

[csween86]

Why must BMW tease... I want to know what it looks like, and I want to know now!

[M Silva]

And the M4 rumours are back. Once again.

[EdM5]

Can't wait to welcome her in my stable

[dapopa9]

Pic #8 down the full side profile pic reminds me of a Mustang

[BQTuning]

A beefed up N55 with multiple turbos with 450 hp to the crank. Hmm. I just dont like the idea of it having anything to do with a N55.

O'well, we will see soon enough

[JK135i]

I was driving next to the M4 and new M3 on Autobahn 3 headed towards the Ring. They look ok but one thing still remains, the M3 sounds like a Pontiac Grand-Am with a flow master muffler.

[positiveions]

but won't sound as mean as E9X M3.

[Romo]

Is it David-Michael Knight-Hasselhoff behind the wheel?

I swear, it must be him, in an all new KITT version..........

[sameh]

Any chance some one could post our E9x when it was at that stage? I have a feeling that comparing E92 in Camo to these pictures may give us better idea!

[M3 Esq]

I hope the final design utilizes the power dome hood. That is one thing that was so appealing to me about the current generation.

[the /// kid]

I just can't see M not hitting the mark on this car. The M5 was one upped in my opinion sleeker, more power, more efficient. Sure some might not see efficiency as being the M type do to the racing history but it just shows the smarts the strive to put into there technology. I'm sure this car will be a masterful combination of speed, efficiency, with just the right touch of luxury in that always appealing BMW interior

[richardg]

I wish the brakes were larger. Would have been nice if they took the units from the m5/6. I am sure these brakes will work fine and are probably lighter. The car looks very narrow to me though. I think it will be thinner than the sedan just as the e92 was to the e90. I am happy to see it using that super sexy steering wheel from the m6. So glad to see that. As for the rear bumper the exhaust cutouts are very sloppy and the bumper is very thin. I think this is a f32 bumper that was cut to fit the quad exhausts. I am sure the final bumper will thicker/beefier and have some kind of functional Aero design. Lastly as for the exhaust itself I think the tips are ugly but I am glad to see that the muffler portion looks much smaller than the previous e46 and e9x M. I am willing to bet it will hide nicely behind the final rear bumper design and hopefully it's a good bit lighter.

Oh and the wheels I think will be final. If you look closely you can see the ///M badge on the wheels.