The BMW Concept M4 Coupe offers a thinly veiled look at a production version that will launch at the Detroit motor show in January before reaching the UK in mid-2014 for an estimated £60,000.

The concept, which will be unveiled at Pebble Beach this weekend, is billed only as a design study as present and as such gives no technical insight into the new M4. However, BMW sources have confirmed that the new M4 will return to straight-six petrol power, ditching the V8 of its M3 coupé predecessor.

As the 3-series coupé adopts the new 4-series name for its latest generation, so the M3 version adopts the M4 name. The M4 name will be used for the coupe and as-yet unseen cabriolet and Gran Coupe (four-door) versions of BMW’s new staple M car, with the M3 name remaining for the 3-series-based four-door saloon that will also be shown in Detroit.

All of these M models will share a new twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre engine, producing an estimated 450bhp. That’s up on the 414bhp produced by the outgoing normally aspirated 4.0-litre V8. Torque is also tipped to be around 480lb ft, up 185lb ft on the outgoing M3’s V8. Expect this to lead to a 0-62mph time of around 4.5sec and a top speed limited to 155mph.

Drive will be sent to the rear wheels through BMW M’s seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, essentially the same transmission as found in the M5 and M6. A manual version is understood to be off the cards for the first time in the M3’s history. A four-wheel drive version was understood to be considered but was rejected by M.  Read More