BMW unveils m4 coupe concept at Pebble Beach

[M-technik-3]

Not digging it. Looks like Audi and Hyundai and all others out there...

[davesmystery]

It looks like an e92 with a facelift. That being said, it still looks a lot better than the e92 did. I like the exposed grill sides they're doing with the new F-series, but I wish the front end had a more shark like demeanor. Overall though, the car still looks like a Honda Accord coupe with a bodykit.

But also, in some ways, not much has changed over time. Ever since the E46 M3, it's been mostly a yuppie car with a small true motorsports following. Most of the new M3's I see have some sort of silly aftermarket tuning company logo plastered all over the side or windows and a 20's/30's something bro driving it who has never turned a wrench in his life. The new M cars are supposed to be "driver friendly" for anyone, not just people who care about driving, that's why the steering and ride seem to get softer and more and more technology goes into trying to please every driver possible.

I know I'm being a bit over the top, but the best thing about our older BMWs is that they were simply trying to produce the best engineered driver's car that they could. Now that BMW is the brand that it is, it is focused on growing it's marketshare and being as people pleasing as it can be. I'd like to think there are still some old school hardcore purists at BMW, but they aren't the ones who buy the cars.

[einhander]

We are a handful that wants a lightweight hi powered no frills car

Everything an E30 isn't!

[ZinnoBerrotEta]

They hit a home run with this design. Those rear fender flares are yummy and they managed to make the front fender grill look decent and aggressive(same can't be said for the "bimmerang" on the 4-series, which is functional btw and would look better body colored). The rear bumper and air diffusers looks nice and actually functional, too.
This concept will no doubt be exactly what the production car will look like. When the E92 M3 concept came out in 07 it was exactly the same as the future production car. Have a look at a thread from 07...

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49988

This concept seems to be wearing some BMW performance extras though. I definitely think the carbon fiber rear diffuser, carbon fiber exhaust tips, and that carbon fiber front lip will be absent on the production car but available through the BMW performance catalog. Also, it has the LED headlights which will unfortunately be an option on the M4, a damn shame, given that this will probably be floating around 90k+ in full trim...with the available carbon ceramics.

[10Toes]

That color needs to die already.:hitler:

[series88]

While it's not the ugliest car out there, I'm still not a fan.

[jhaurimn]

It looks bad ass from the front and back, but from the side it looks like a pig.

[Thizzelle]

why don't they just name it the M3

[dnguyen1963]

Starting price is probably $70k. I'll stick with my E30 for a little longer.

[eur04lif3]

love it.

[EREKSHUN]

I'd so roll that and add it to the collection. Wouldn't get rid of my E30 but I can appreciate cars outside our realm.

[travish325]

Sexy, Kinda has Aston Martin lines. And straight 6 is awesome to see as an engine.

[JamesE30]

I just don't know why cars have to keep getting bigger

because we are a dying breed. They are building cars that the masses want
We are a handful that wants a lightweight hi powered no frills car

Actually its a combination of increased safety standards for side impact and roll over protection. There is no question that cars are being made safer everyday, but obviously many people will have different opinions on where the line of importance lies between safety, driver experience, and aesthetics.
This is the reason almost every car now has a much higher shoulder line and smaller windows. Doors are much thicker to accommodate impact protection inside as well as crumple zone.

Also notice the hood shut-line now runs above the roundel (ugly) instead of including the grill as part of the hood. This is to reduce the number of panels damaged in a light impact front end collision. Hood height, front end overhang, roof height, shoulder line height, all determined by impact safety regulations. While a designer may be responsible for the themes present in a new model, often the proportions are strictly restrained to an engineer determined package with little room for radical change.

Having said that, From a design perspective, I think its very striking. I agree the rear is perhaps not as exciting as the front (which i think is very cool), but i still like the over all theme of the whole car.

Having said THAT.. I think id still have more fun in an e30 :P

[10Toes]

Cars are not getting bigger, they are just recovering from the 80' & 90's. Look at most of the cars before that time and it will make this new M4 look small.

[mrmckie]

like the car...hate the name...

tossed the legendary M3 badge and now call it an M4...weak