BMW Said to Debut M4 Concept at Next Month's Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

BMW will unveil its upcoming M4 Coupe in concept form at next month’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California, according to a report from British magazine Auto Express. The M4 study will preview the production version of the M4, which will be revealed at the Detroit Motor Show in January alongside the new M3 sedan.

BMW will also show the convertible version of the new 4-Series in Detroit, as well as the new 2-Series Coupe. Klaus Froehlich, BMW Group’s senior vice president brand and product strategies, told the publication that the M4 uses 80 percent different parts than the recently unveiled 435i fitted with the M Performance package (pictured below).

Among these parts, he mentioned a bespoke version of BMW’s new modular engine, a seven-speed twin clutch gearbox and a completely reworked suspension. On top of that, the new M4 will also feature carbon fiber bodywork to reduce weight.

Froehlich dismissed the idea of a four-wheel-drive M4 on grounds that the AWD system would make the M4 too heavy for an M car. The executive also talked about the M235i, which will be the range-topping 2-Series model – at least until BMW decides to build an M2, which Froehlich said is unlikely for now.

“The M235i is as close a spiritual successor to the 2002ti that we’ve had. My initial benchmark was that it will be faster than the BMW 1M Coupe around the Nurburgring, which it is,” Froehlich said. “The handling of the 1M was too snappy, but the 2 Series has a longer wheelbase and the proportions are better,” he added.

By Dan Mihalascu

Note: Opening photo BMW 435i M Performance

PHOTO GALLERY