• Latest sixth-generation high performance sports sedan and coupé from BMW M feature all-new motorsport-inspired platform, power and styling
• Top-level Competition specification only for New Zealand, M3 priced from $168,900*, M4 priced from $172,900*
• Six-cylinder in-line powerplant with BMW M TwinPower Turbo technology at the heart of both models with a storming 375kW and 650Nm
• Savage acceleration from rear-wheel drive platform: 0-100km/h in just 3.9 seconds, 0 – 200km.h in 12.5 seconds; BMW M xDrive variant to follow
• Performance car credentials underscored by additional chassis bracing, Adaptive M suspension and all-new 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic

Auckland, New Zealand: The highly-anticipated, all-new BMW M3 Competition Sedan and BMW M4 Competition Coupé have landed in New Zealand in spectacular style.

The Isle of Man Green M3 Competition Sedan and Sao Paulo Yellow M4 Competition Coupé emerged from matching decorated containers carried in via Black Hawk helicopters, and showcased their dynamic abilities on closed runways at the North Shore Aerodrome to a small group of invited guests.

Following a short presentation from BMW New Zealand, professional drivers then took guests on taxi rides on the closed course, specifically designed to showcase the dynamic abilities of the two high performance machines.

Available exclusively in New Zealand as top-spec Competition variants, both vehicles are powered by a six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology.  Imbued with motorsport-derived DNA, both cars feature impressive performance, accelerating from 0 – 100km/h in 3.9 seconds and from 0-200kms/h in 12.5 seconds.

The new BMW M3 Competition Sedan and new BMW M4 Competition Coupé redefine performance benchmarks and set themselves apart via visually-expressive design and provide that signature M dual-personality on road and track.

Karol Abrasowicz-Madej, Managing Director of BMW New Zealand: “BMW M fans in New Zealand have been waiting with eager anticipation for these models to reach our shores.  Deeply rooted in motorsport, the BMW M3 and M4 Competition are prime examples of the technology transfer from racing to series production and the Competition variant will deliver the highest levels of performance.”

BMW M3 Competition and M4 Competition pricing:

BMW M3 Competition Sedan                         $168,900*

BMW M4 Competition Coupé                        $172,900*

*Recommended Retail Pricing is shown and includes GST, but excludes on-road and delivery costs. Customers are advised to contact their nearest BMW dealer for all pricing enquiries.

Standard Specification:

• BMW 3.0-litre M TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder petrol engine
  • 375kW
  • 650Nm
  • 0 – 100km/h: 3.9s
• 8-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission
• Active M Differential
• Adaptive M Suspension
• BMW Head-Up Display
• BMW Individual Lights Shadow Line
• BMW Laserlight
• Comfort Access incl. BMW Digital Key
• Connected Package Professional incl. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• ConnectedDrive services
• Driving Assistant Professional
• Full leather ‘Merino’ upholstery
• Harman / Kardon surround sound system
• Interior trim finishers ‘Carbon Fibre’
• Live Cockpit Professional w/ M Drive Professional mode
• M Compound Brakes, Blue with M lettering
• M Sport Seats w/ Seat Heating, Electric adjustment with memory and M Seat belts
• Parking Assistant Plus
• Tyre pressure indicator
• Tyre repair kit
• Wireless smartphone charging

Options packages

Warranty and Condition Based Servicing

As with all New Zealand-new BMW vehicles a five-year warranty, three year service inclusive programme and five year roadside assist coverage is fully included.

All maintenance requirements for the BMW M3 Competition Sedan and BMW M4 Competition Coupé are controlled by the Condition Based Servicing (CBS) system.

With CBS, sensors and advanced algorithms monitor and calculate the conditions in which a vehicle is used, including mileage, time elapsed since its last service, fuel consumption and how a vehicle is driven. Based on the information captured, maintenance requirements are determined, identifying whether an annual vehicle inspection or oil service is due.

Selected BMW service and maintenance costs can be covered by a single, one-off advance payment with BMW Service Inclusive (BSI), which is available in two packages: Basic or Plus.

- Ends -

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2020, the BMW Group sold over 2.3 million passenger vehicles and more than 169,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2019 was € 7.118 billion on revenues amounting to € 104.210 billion. As of 31 December 2019, the BMW Group had a workforce of 126,016 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

www.bmwgroup.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

For further press/media information contact:

Natalie Chandler
Pead PR

Telephone: 09 918 5555

Mobile: 021 269 0280

Email: bmw@wearepead.co.nz

Munich. With yet another new sales record, the BMW M GmbH continued to grow also in the 2020 fiscal year. Despite the effects of the Corona pandemic on the market, it was possible to increase the number of BMW M automobiles sold by 6 percent to 144,218 units. Thanks to this result, the subsidiary company of the BMW Group with the status of an independent company has significantly strengthened its market leadership within the competitive environment first gained in 2019. “The fact that we were able to conclude this exceptionally challenging year with yet a further record is great validation of our consistent growth strategy,” says Markus Flasch, chairman of the board of the BMW M GmbH. “We can be particularly proud of the fact that we were able not only to defend our market dominance as the most successful provider of performance and high-performances automobiles, but also to have even expanded it.”

The further increase in sales figures was due, inter alia, to the successful market launch of the models BMW X5 M (combined fuel consumption: 13.1 – 12.6 l/100 km according to WLTP, 13.0 – 12.8 l/100 km according to NEDC; combined CO₂ emissions: 298 – 287 g/km according to WLTP, 296 – 287 g/km according to NEDC) and BMW X6 M (combined fuel consumption: 13.4 – 13.1 l/100 km according to WLTP, 13.1 l/100 km according to NEDC; combined CO₂ emissions: 305 – 300 g/km according to WLTP, 301 g/km according to NEDC). With V8 power units delivering up to 460 kW/625 hp, BMW M automobiles from the Sports Activity Vehicle and Sports Activity Coupe segment offer a particularly characteristic high-performance experience. Likewise, the special edition model BMW M2 CS (combined fuel consumption: 10.1 – 9.2 l/100 km according to WLTP, 10.4 – 9.4 l/100 km according to NEDC; combined CO₂ emissions: 229 – 210 g/km according to WLTP, 238 – 214 g/km according to NEDC), which serves as the basis for a new competition vehicle from BMW Motorsport, has also received a positive response. In the high-performance model sector alone, it was possible to increase the number of worldwide deliveries by 4 percent vs. the year 2019.

Moreover, it was predominantly the performance automobiles developed for the new BMW 3 Series and the new BMW 4 Series that helped boost the sales of the BMW M GmbH so decisively. With powerful straight six-cylinder petrol and diesel power plants, specific suspension tuning and stand-alone design features, the top-of-the-range offer for the BMW 3 Series Sedan, the BMW 3 Series Touring and the BMW 4 Series Coupe also guarantees that characteristic M experience in the premium mid-range segment, coupled with unrestricted suitability for everyday use and long distances.

Growing demand in all relevant markets.

Technology transferred from motor racing, precisely coordinated features in the areas of drive systems, suspension, aerodynamics, interior design and operation as well as the resulting authentic character of BMW M automobiles, create a fascination, which continued in 2020 to captivate an increasing number of performance-oriented customers throughout the world. For example, in the USA, the most important market for BMW M automobiles, as well as in China, new records were achieved. In both Russia and Korea, it was possible to increase sales by more than 60 percent, and in Italy by 47 percent. And in the UK, too, the number of vehicles delivered exceeded our expectations. “We notice a steadily growing demand in all relevant markets for BMW M automobiles,” explains Thomas Felbermair, head of Sales and Marketing at BMW M GmbH. “Because of this and thanks to the engagement of our strong dealer network, we have been outstandingly successful in coping with the challenges posed by the pandemic.”

Ready to go: BMW M5 CS, BMW M3 Sedan and BMW M4 Coupe.

Looking towards the future, the initial focus shifts to the world premiere of the BMW M5 CS, which will take place in January 2021. A special edition of the BMW M5 will then be available for the first time – with outstanding performance and exclusive motorsport characteristics. Following that, the main focus will be on the market launch of the new BMW M3 Sedan starting in March 2021 (combined fuel consumption: 10.6 – 10.3 l/100 km according to WLTP, 10.8 l/100 km according to NEDC; combined CO₂ emissions: 241 – 236 g/km according to WLTP, 248 g/km according to NEDC) and the new BMW M4 Coupe (combined fuel consumption: 10.5 – 10.3 l/100 km according to WLTP, 10.8 l/100 km according to NEDC; combined CO₂ emissions: 240 –  235 g/km according to WLTP, 248 g/km according to NEDC). The two high-performance automobiles represent the essence of that unmistakable M feeling. Immediately after their world premiere, the new model generation aroused keen interest around the globe.

In future, the wishes of the M Community will be fulfilled by extraordinary diversity: Each variant with classic manual shift will be complemented by a Competition model featuring an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. Moreover, in the summer of 2021, the four-wheel drive system M xDrive will be added for the first time to the drive portfolio for the BMW M3 and the BMW M4. And the BMW M4 Convertible will also be launched in time for the warm season. On the other hand, the first BMW M3 Touring is still undergoing the series development process.

A glance into the future: continued growth, new M feeling through electrification, and an anniversary. 

“It is remarkable that it was possible to achieve the new sales record even before the launch of our most important models,” says Markus Flasch. “The new BMW M3 and BMW M4 generation offers us the promise of dynamic growth in 2021 as well.” Moreover, he now also looks forward to presenting a completely new manifestation of the distinctive M feeling. Electrification will provide the basis for this. During the year 2021, the BMW M GmbH will be presenting an electrically powered performance automobile for the first time.

With this setting of agenda with which the “Power of Choice” strategy has been realised within the model range of the BMW M GmbH, and an exceptionally strong product range, the company is heading full of optimism for the forthcoming anniversary year. 2022 will be the year in which the BMW M GmbH celebrates 50 years of its existence. Markus Flasch has already announced “a year full of surprises”: “If I mention the keyword special edition models, it should be clear what our customers can look forward to during the anniversary year.”

• Latest generation high performance sports sedan and coupé from BMW M feature all-new motorsport-inspired platforms, powertrains and dynamic designs
• Six-cylinder in-line powerplant with BMW M TwinPower Turbo technology at the heart of both models with a storming 375kW and 650Nm in Competition specification
• Rear-wheel-drive configuration to be offered on M3 and M4 initially with M xDrive all-wheel-drive system available for both vehicles in late 2021
• Availability of M xDrive marks a first for BMW in the segment
• Competition models to be offered with eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic for ultra-fast, precise shifts
• Standard sprint time achieved in just 3.9 seconds for M3 and M4 Competition
• Aggressive styling packages, wide track and flared body elements provide commanding stance and focused performance potential
• Adaptive M suspension now standard across all models  
• New BMW M Drive Professional system includes features such as M Traction Control and M Drift Analyser
• Raft of options available to customise driving style and individual preferences
• Available M Carbon bucket seats feature structure-based design, lightweight construction and integral head restraints that can be dismantled for track driving

The all-new BMW M3 and M4 – the latest high performance offerings from the legendary BMW M outfit – will arrive in New Zealand as top-spec Competition only variants when local deliveries take place in Q1 2021.

Both models, which were unveiled today, combine segment leading performance, backed by four decades of racing know-how and new-generation styling packages that provide dominant and unmistakable presence. 

Specified for New Zealand in Competition trim only, the new BMW M3 and M4 Competition are both powered by a formidable six-cylinder in-line engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology.

Both cars develop 375kW of power and 650Nm of torque, paired to an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic.

Both variants will be offered in rear-wheel-drive initially, before the acclaimed BMW M xDrive system becomes available later next year. The provision of M xDrive marks a first for BMW in this segment.

The significant dynamic advances made over their predecessors are the product of a typically rigorous M development and tuning processes conducted in part alongside testing for the new BMW M4 GT3 race car.

Further common ground between the new BMW M cars is the spectrum of emotions sparked by their powertrain and chassis, the visually expressive design and the new, M-specific control and operation system.

These range from the joy of driving a car luxuriously over long distances, comfortably adapting settings for dynamic everyday use, and switching over instantly to the thrill of a sporting machine let off the leash on race circuits.

Mighty six-cylinder engine with instantaneous power delivery and signature BMW M high-revving characteristics

The engines powering the new M3 and M4 Competition blend the high-revving tendencies for which M models are renowned with the latest version of M TwinPower Turbo technology.

The result is a new high point for six-cylinder in-line petrol units from BMW in the areas of output and torque.

Lightweight design and exceptional rigidity are standout attributes of the performance-maximising components of the base engine.

Two turbochargers with indirect charge air cooling, a flow-optimised air intake system and a petrol direct injection system working with maximum pressure of 350 bar help to generate the engine’s instantaneous power delivery and appetite for revs, which it sustains without interruption into the higher reaches of the engine speed range.

The engine fitted to M3 and M4 Competition maintains peak torque across a wide rev band, with 650Nm on tap between 2,750 and 5,500rpm. Maximum output of 375kW is developed at 6,250rpm, with the engine’s redline arriving at 7,200 rpm.

These performance characteristics deliver a deeply impressive driving experience. The new BMW M3 Competition Sedan and new BMW M4 Competition Coupé each accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and from 0 to 200km/h in 12.5 seconds.

A model-specific M Performance exhaust system with electrically controlled flaps provides an emotionally rich soundtrack.

A bespoke cooling system ensures optimal operating temperatures are maintained at all times for all powertrain components – in everyday driving over short distances and through town, but also when pushing to the limits of performance on the track.

A central cooling module is joined by two remote high-temperature radiators in the wheel arches. The system also includes an additional engine oil cooler and separate transmission oil cooler.

The accumulated motorsport expertise of BMW M has also made its presence felt in the development of the oil supply system.

The engine’s oil sump has two separate chambers and an integrated suction channel.
An additional suction stage allows the map-controlled oil pump to draw lubricant from the smaller chamber, which steps in when extra capacity is needed.

This ensures a reliable supply of oil at all times, even under extreme lateral and longitudinal acceleration.

Eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic, rear-wheel-drive and M xDrive

The eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic in the Competition models is distinguished by ratio spacing perfectly tuned to the engine’s characteristics and a broad overall ratio spread.

It enables both fully automatic gear changes and manual shifts with the M-specific selector lever or shift paddles on the steering wheel.

The transmission’s shift characteristics are adjusted using the Drivelogic button integrated into the selector lever. The driver can access three clearly distinct setups in both automatic and manual mode.

For the first time in the history of the BMW M3 and BMW M4, customers will be able to specify an all-wheel-drive system as an alternative to traditional rear-wheel drive.

The M xDrive system has a rear-wheel bias and links up with the Active M Differential at the rear axle. The driver can access the Setup menu to choose between 4WD and 4WD Sport modes, the latter directing a greater proportion of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels.

Switching off DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) brings 2WD mode into the equation. Sending power to the rear wheels only and suspending stabilising interventions from the control systems treats experienced drivers to an uncorrupted, no holds barred driving experience.

BMW will offer the M xDrive system on the M3 and M4 by late 2021.

M-specific chassis with extremely high torsional rigidity

The extremely high torsional rigidity of the body and chassis mounting is a key factor in providing the combination of dynamism, agility and precision for which BMW M models are renowned.

A model-specific package of bracing elements for the engine compartment, a front axle subframe with aluminium shear panel, underfloor bracing elements and a rear axle subframe with a rigid connection to the body all play a part in the cars’ precisely controllable handling in even dynamically intense situations.

Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled shock absorbers and M-specific kinematics and elastokinematics for the front and rear axles are standard features of the new BMW M3 Competition Sedan and new BMW M4 Competition Coupé.

They also have M Servotronic steering with a variable ratio and an M-specific version of the integrated braking system, which presents the driver with two different brake response and pedal feel settings.

The introduction of an integrated wheel slip limitation function allows the DSC system to work with increased precision.

In addition, the standard inclusion of M Dynamic Mode opens the door to a particularly sporty driving experience, complete with controlled drifting ability.

Standard specification also features forged M light-alloy wheels – in 18-inch format at the front axle and 19-inch at the rear.

Tyres are 275/40 ZR18 at the front and 285/35 ZR19 at the rear.

Eye-catching design dials up the emotional appeal

The distinctive body design of the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupé sends out a bolder statement than ever of the performance supremacy and emotionally engaging driving experience on offer.

M-specific design features firmly invested in the functional requirements of high-performance sports cars are integrated harmoniously into the modern design language.

Contributors to the visually striking appearance of the two models include the M-specific version of the large, vertical BMW kidney grille with horizontal bars, powerfully sculpted wheel arches with eye-catching M gills and the prominently extended side sills with attachment parts for the front and rear aprons.

The sedan and coupé also have a roof made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) with aerodynamically optimised fins, a rear spoiler and the two pairs of large exhaust tailpipes that are now a customary feature of M cars.

Full-LED headlights are fitted as standard, while Adaptive LED Headlights with BMW Laserlight can be specified as an option.

The selection of exterior paint finishes includes new and exclusive shades Sao Paulo Yellow non-metallic, Toronto Red metallic and Isle of Man Green metallic. An optional M Carbon exterior package and model-specific BMW M Performance Parts can be ordered from launch.

Among the interior design highlights are clearly structured surfaces and an ergonomically impeccable cockpit design that ensure the driver’s focus remains one hundred per cent on the intense driving experience.

Newly developed, electrically adjustable M sport seats and fine-grain Merino leather trim with extended features come as standard, with seat ventilation also available for the first time.

A standout highlight of the options list are the new M Carbon bucket seats with a structure-based design, which combine racing functionality with a lightweight construction, comfort over long distances and sumptuous workmanship.

These innovative seats have integral head restraints which can be dismantled for track driving, an illuminated model badge and electric adjustment. Their race car-inspired structure also enables the use of multi-point racing seat belts.

M-specific control/operation system for a customisable performance experience

The control and display system of the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupé comprises an array of new features which play their role in the cars’ supremely engaging driving experience.

The optional M Drive Professional, which makes its debut on the new models, has been conceived specifically for track driving. It includes the innovative new M Traction Control, which allows the new integrated wheel slip limitation function of the DSC system to be adjusted (through 10 stages) to the driver’s personal preferences and needs.

Other elements of M Drive Professional are the M Drift Analyser, which records and rates driving stats posted in dynamic cornering manoeuvres, and the M Laptimer, which supplies lap times and other information generated during track sessions.

The Setup button on the centre console provides direct access to the settings options for the engine, chassis, steering and braking system, plus – depending on the model and specification – the M xDrive system, Gear Shift Assistant and traction control.

Two individually composed configurations for the overall vehicle setup can then be stored and called up again instantaneously at any time using the M buttons on the steering wheel.

The control panel on the centre console also houses the M Mode button as standard. This can be used to adjust the responses and characteristics of the driver assistance systems and the displays in the instrument cluster and Head-Up Display to deliver a driving experience suited to the situation at hand and worthy of the M badge.

The driver can choose from ROAD and SPORT settings, with the TRACK mode developed for outings on race circuits added to the armoury when M Drive Professional is specified.

Extensive standard specification and high-quality options deliver elevated levels of comfort, safety and performance

An array of new additions to the standard and optional equipment lists ensure the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupé raise the bar further not only in terms of racing flair but also comfort and functionality.

Cutting-edge driver assistance systems ease the driver’s workload in monotonous or unclear situations on the road.

Both models come as standard with Park Distance Control with sensors at the front and rear, Front Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning, plus the Speed Limit Info road sign detection system.

Options include the Driving Assistant Professional, complete with the Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Active Navigation function, Emergency Lane Assistant, BMW Drive Recorder and the latest generation of the BMW Head-Up Display with M-specific content.

The optional Parking Assistant comprises functions such as the Reversing Assistant.

Standard equipment including three-zone automatic climate control, LED interior lighting including ambient lighting, and a hi-fi speaker system enhances comfort in everyday driving and over longer journeys.

BMW Live Cockpit Professional – with its fully digital display grouping, cloud-based navigation system BMW Maps and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant – also comes as standard for the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupé.

Additionally, updated smartphone integration enables the use of both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via the car’s operating system.

A steel roof with integral glass tilt/sliding sunroof is available as a no-cost option for both models as an alternative to the standard carbon-fibre version.

The new M Race Track Package, meanwhile, brings about a targeted reduction in vehicle weight.

This package includes M Carbon ceramic brakes, weight-minimised M light-alloy wheels (available as an option with semi-slick tyres) and the M Carbon bucket seats.

BMW M in New Zealand – one of the strongest M markets in the world

The new BMW M3 Competition Sedan and new BMW M4 Competition Coupé redefine performance benchmarks, set themselves apart via visually-expressive design and provide that signature M dual-personality on road and track.

These ingredients make the pair highly-anticipated in one of the most performance-focused markets in the world. New Zealand ranks in the #2 globally for BMW M and M Performance sales penetration; one in four BMWs sold in the country carry these high performance badges and credentials.

“The new BMW M3 and M4 are deeply rooted in motorsport, prime examples of the technology transfer from racing to series production. M fans in New Zealand have been looking forward to these cars, and I am delighted to say we will deliver only the highest levels of equipment and performance with these Competition variants,” commented Karol Abrasowicz-Madej, Managing Director of BMW New Zealand. 

- Ends -

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2019, the BMW Group sold over 2.5 million passenger vehicles and more than 175,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2019 was € 7.118 billion on revenues amounting to € 104.210 billion. As of 31 December 2019, the BMW Group had a workforce of 126,016 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

www.bmwgroup.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupView

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bmwgroup

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bmw-group/

For further press/media information contact:

Lucy Houghton
Pead PR

Telephone: 09 918 5555

Mobile: 021 132 1190

Email: bmw@peadpr.co.nz

• Company confirms the first-time extension of the model
• Prototypes seen driving around in the vicinity of the development centre in Garching near Munich
• Racetrack tests on the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring to follow.

Want an extra-large and highly variable luggage compartment in a high-performance sports car? What is presently still a rhetorical question will soon become a concrete offer.

A few weeks prior to the world premiere of the all-new BMW M3 Sedan, there are increasing signs of unparalleled model diversity in the range of premium mid-range BMW M automobiles.

Together with the all-new BMW M4 Coupe, the new BMW M3 Sedan will be celebrating its world premiere in September 2020. It is also no secret that the new edition of the BMW M4 Convertible is to follow next year.

However, attentive observers will soon be able to catch a glimpse of the prototype of a new high-performance automobile. In Garching near Munich, home of the BMW M GmbH, work is being carried out on a further dream-come-true: For the first time in the history of the BMW M GmbH, the model range will be complemented by a BMW M3 Touring.

M-specific performance combined with an increase in available space and the intelligent functionality of a Touring model – this was previously reserved exclusively for the BMW M5.

Both in its second generation in 1992 and in its fourth in 2007, the high-performance business sedan was accompanied by a Touring.

This is not the first time both the M community and developers at the BMW M GmbH have been fascinated by idea of transferring this vehicle concept to the BMW M3. Exactly 20 years ago, a similar prototype was launched based on the third generation of the BMW M3.

Back then, M engineers set out to prove that the high flexibility of a Touring platform could be seamlessly integrated with a high-performance sports car, along with the stringent manufacturing quality required for an M car. For the sixth generation of the BMW M3, it will not end with mere theoretical considerations and technical tests.

The six-cylinder M TwinPower turbo engine beneath the bonnet has been set. Five doors and a highly variable luggage compartment are precisely what fans of this model have been asking for. The new BMW M3 Touring fulfils the hopes of all those who wish to take the M-specific interplay of racing-oriented performance and everyday suitability to the extreme.

Never has a premium mid-range class estate car offered so much driving fun and precision. Never has there been more functional utility available in a thoroughbred sports car. Further speculation on engine and performance is quite welcome, but wide axles, conspicuously large front air intakes and four exhaust tailpipes at the rear will leave no doubt that this is an thoroughbred M machine.

The first BMW M3 Touring is still in the early stage of its approximately two-year series development process.

As in the case of other BMW M high-performance sports cars, the following also applies to the BMW M3 Touring: whenever a prototype has been given the go-ahead for test drives on public roads, it means that the decisive step towards series maturity has been taken.

Not only will it soon be regularly sighted, the intensive testing and tuning process for the BMW M3 Touring will also take it to the world’s toughest proving ground: the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring.

That’s because the first BMW M3 Touring is, after all, first and foremost a BMW M3.

- Ends -

The BMW Group

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2019, the BMW Group sold over 2.5 million passenger vehicles and more than 175,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2019 was € 7.118 billion on revenues amounting to € 104.210 billion. As of 31 December 2019, the BMW Group had a workforce of 126,016 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

www.bmwgroup.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupview

Google+: http://googleplus.bmwgroup.com

For further press/media information contact:

Lucy Houghton
Pead PR

Mobile: 021 132 1190

Email: bmw@peadpr.co.nz

Munich. The BMW M GmbH is currently preparing the generation change for the iconic sports cars. With driving dynamics tests performed under racetrack conditions, the series development process for the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupé (fuel consumption combined: 10.9 – 10.5 l/100 km [25.9 – 26.9 mpg imp]; CO₂ emissions combined: 249 – 239 g/km, preliminary data) is entering its crucial phase. With a significant increase in performance vs. the predecessor models and an M-specific suspension setup, newly developed straight six-cylinder engines once again set benchmarks in the segment of high-performance sedans and coupés of the premium midrange class. Comprehensive innovations in the areas of drive, wheel suspension, springs, dampers and braking technology require thorough testing on public roads at the BMW Group testing centres in Miramas, Southern France, in the Swedish town of Arjeplog as well as on a number of different racetracks.

Traditionally, the Nordschleife of the Nürburgring sets the yardstick for the perfect interaction between drive and suspension technology in every situation. However, because the performance characteristics of a BMW M automobile have to convince not only there but also on the most varied racetrack profiles, the test engineers always expand the test programme to include further circuits such as the current test drives with camouflaged prototypes of the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupé at the Sachsenring.

A few months before their world premiere mid-September 2020, the dynamic potential of the new BMW M3 Sedan and the new BMW M4 Coupé is already clearly perceptible. Inspiring agility, outstanding dynamics and precisely controllable handling even in extreme sporting situations characterise their driving behaviour. The balance between superior performance and unrestricted everyday suitability so typical of an M attains a new level. “With each BMW M automobile, we put motorsport technology on the road,” says Markus Flasch, chairman of the board of the BMW M GmbH. “The new BMW M3 Sedan and the new BMW M4 Coupé embody this principle in a particularly intensive way, because both models stand unmistakably in the tradition of the most successful touring car worldwide. And results of the test drives show us that the new model generation is significantly superior to that of its predecessors in terms of performance.”

Like all current high-performance-automobiles from the BMW M GmbH, the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupé are offered in two performance levels: Besides a 353 kW/480 hp variant with a 6-speed manual shift, there is also the choice of a Competition model with 375 kW/510 hp and an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. “For customers who prefer a puristic performance experience and particularly intense interaction with their vehicle, the model variants with a manual transmission constitute an offer that is unique in this segment,” explains Dirk Häcker, head of Development M Automobiles and BMW Individual. “On the other hand, with the Competition versions of the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupé, we are addressing maximum dynamics in regards power development and transfer – initially with classic rear-wheel drive and, at a later date, also in conjunction with the latest version of our four-wheel drive system M xDrive.”

Compared with the predecessor models, the straight six-cylinder engines featured by the new high-performance sports cars deliver a maximum output increase of 36 kW/49 hp and 44 kW/60 hp (Competition models) and a maximum torque of up to 650 Nm. Moreover, thanks to M TwinPower Turbo technology and high-revving concept, the power plant impresses with performance characteristics derived from motor racing. The power unit excels through extraordinarily spontaneous response in every speed range and is also deployed in the BMW M4 GT3, which will become the new top-of-the-rage model from the BMW M GmbH in the customer sport segment as from the 2022 season. 

With a meticulously operated testing programme, development and testing engineers at the BMW M GmbH are currently making sure that the M-specific suspension components are tuned to the engine’s performance characteristics to such an extent that they guarantee the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupé places in the first row of the starting grid in their vehicle segment. The around 3,670-metre stretch at the tradition-steeped Sachsenring, which is known as the long-standing venue of the German Touring Car Masters (DTM) racing series, also offers the ideal prerequisites for this purpose. With its challenging profile comprising hairpin bends, long straights and the downhill passage before the Queckenberg bend, it is possible lap after lap to achieve targeted optimisation of the longitudinal and lateral driving dynamics of the new BMW M3 Sedan and new BMW M4 Coupé.