An M3-introduction is one of the most exciting BMW-events.
This time, it's even more exciting than before.
Why? Because a lot has changed.
The coupe-version is for the first time ever named 'M4',
and both M3 and M4 now have a turbocharged engine.
Quite a bold decision, as BMW itself also knows.
Earlier, BMW promised the engine would keep its character,
despite the turbocharger.
Today, on this track, we can find out if BMW kept its promise.
The car is loaded with hightech, progressive technology.
The roof, for example, is made of carbon fibre.
The last M3 Coupe had such a roof, now this saloon model as well.
This 'V-brace' rollbar is also made of carbon fibre.
Even the drive shaft is carbon,
not only making it lighter, but also faster reacting.
Then, there is the engine.
The new, twin-turbo 3.0 inline-6 replaces the old 4.0 V8.
Underneath the 'powerdome' is this intercooler,
cooling air for maximum power output.
The result: 431 PS from a 3-litre engine.
11 more than before, but more important: 550 Nm torque.
That's 150 Nm more than before, and it comes at lower revs.
It's also more efficient, so in theory, this car is just better.
BMW attached the subframe directly to the chassis.
This should make it more stiff, more direct, and better than the old M3.
The result of all this is a car with to completely different characters.
Everything is adjustable: suspension, steering, gearbox, engine...
It all has 3 settings, at this moment everything is in Comfort-mode.
If you would now tell me this was a 335i, I would believe you.
A smooth engine, quiet, a tolerable suspension...
You can feel it's a bit stiffer than a normal 3, but nothing serious.
A very smooth automatic gearbox... I could do this all day.
There is nothing that reminds me this is an M3.
Although, there are two small things reminding me...
In the first place, there's all the M-badges.
Secondly, it has 'M1'- and 'M2'-buttons on the steering wheel.
Those are used to save the settings you like.
In this case, 'M1' puts everything in Comfort mode.
Since we're on a racetrack, you might be able to guess what 'M2' is.
Indeed, Sport+ mode.
This setting makes it a completely different car.
It turns from a comfortable cruiser into a hardcore sportscar.
The chassis is just fantastic, even better than the last model.
It's hard and stiff like it should be, and it's very balanced.
Driving like this is what this car was clearly made for.
The suspension might be a bit to stiff for everyday use,
but here, on the racetrack, it's perfect.
This is the first M-model with electric power steering,
which works very well.
It's sensitive, direct and lineair, I feel exactly what's happening.
When grip comes to an end, it's easily noticable.
Very predictable, just like the rest of the car.
This car is continously communicating with it's driver.
At turn in, there is almost no understeer at all.
At the end of the corner, it simply blasts away towards the straight.
Of course, it will drift and that's even very controllable,
But it likes really fast cornering more.
Exactly like an M-product should be.
The throttle response is one of its main advantages.
Sure, switching to a turbocharged engine was a bold decision,
because it might cause a less responsive throttle.
BMW located the turbochargers in a way the exhaust gases reach it very vast.
In Sport+, there is fuel injected in the engine even when lifting.
As a result, the turbo keeps running.
For a turbocharged engine, it reacts very fast.
It's not as good as a N/A V8, but it's very close.
Rationally, this 6-cylinder is better than it's predecessor.
It's more fuel efficient, more powerful,
and all the power is available between 5k and 7k RPM,
so it's very easy to use that power.
The downside is it's a bit less sensational.
One of the reasons is the sound,
another is the fact there is no reason to rev it to 7600 RPM.
Above 7000 RPM, the power curve flattens.
It doesn't result in a nicer sound either, it only gets louder.
So, sensation-wise, it isn't better than before.
Does that matter? Probably not for the people who have the money.
The new M3 is once again a fantastic car to drive.
The chassis is typically BMW M: very focused, very good.
However, the turbo-engine did change the character of the car.
It's a lot of fun, but slightly less accurate.
So is this hightech-car better than it was before?
Two things are for sure: it's different, and it's very good.
+ Phenomenal chassis; Suitable for every occasion
- Engine could be more sensational; No tax benefits