Next-Gen BMW M4 Loses Camo, Reveals Its Giant Grilles
Up until now, prototype photos of the all-new M4 - including some released by BMW itself - have shown cars with a whole heap of camouflage on the front end. Going by a smattering of leaked images and the reveal of the controversially-styled new 4-series the M4 will be based on, we’ve been pretty sure of what’s been hiding under all that cladding.
Sure enough, the latest batch of spy shots shows an M4 with less camo, revealing a pair of huge kidney grilles. They’re teamed up with a lower front splitter, reshaped vents and redesigned brake ducts.
Moving very swiftly away from the front, we can see bigger side skirts, a new rear bumper, and the trademark M Division quad exhaust outlet. Filling the widened wheel arches, we can see what appear to be 795M-design wheels, recently used on BMW’s 4-series M Performance parts showcase.
No speculation is needed in terms of the specs, as BMW divulged most of the key details last week. The entry-level version will have an ‘S58’ inline-six turbo engine providing 473bhp and 442lb ft to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox - yes, really. For those wanting more power, there’ll be a 503bhp Competition (producing the same torque figure), which shirks stick shift for an eight-speed automatic, replacing the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission used in the outgoing M4. Since the UK now only seems to be taking Competition versions of M cars, British buyers will likely miss out on the manual.
Later on, the Competition will gain an optional all-wheel drive system. Although BMW hasn’t confirmed just yet, we suspect it’ll be a derivation of the setup in the M5, which has a switchable rear-wheel drive mode. Our colleagues at evo report that the M4 will also be pinching the electric power steering system from its M car big bro, along with tweaked versions of its adaptive dampers.
There are still blanks to be filled in, but we won’t have long to wait - the full reveal for both the M4 and its M4 sibling has been confirmed for mid-September.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
I think I’ll stick with my E46 M3
The bottom section of the front bumper makes me think of the Alfa Guilia Quadrofogliorodoflogio
What is it with BMW and grills that could swallow a small moon!
chinese…
I never used to understand why aftermarket companies made body kits that would entirely change the look of the car, but now I understand.
That off centre radar unit at the bottom makes this somehow even worse.
🤮
They must be joking….
Doesnt it kinda.. look like a butt?