Close on the heels of the new M5, BMW has now launched two more performance-focussed models in India — the M3 and M4. The cars are M-division versions of the 3-series sedan and are priced at Rs 1.19 crore and Rs 1.21 crore (ex-showroom, India), respectively.
The highlight of the two new Ms is the new engine – the powerful yet efficient 3.0-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo petrol engine that develops 425bhp and 56.1kgm of torque. All this power is sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch automatic gearbox.
Both cars sprint from 0-100kph in a little over four seconds (claimed), before going on to an electronically limited top speed of 250kph. Thanks to abundant use of lightweighting materials, both cars weigh less than 1,500kg. This not only helps performance but also fuel efficiency, which is up by a claimed 25 percent.
The cabins have been slightly tweaked from the standard 3-series on both cars. On the electronics front, they get track-inspired systems like Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Stability Clutch Control (SCC), three driving modes (Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus) and launch control function.
Apart from the slightly different nomenclature, both cars are pretty similar to each other; the M3 being a sedan and M4, a lower slung coupé.