BMW M4 Convertible spotted
July 10, 2019 by Russell Campbell
Car changing is a big deal
Our spies have caught the BMW M4 Convertible testing at the Nurburgring in Germany, confirming that the new model will get a fabric roof in place of the folding-metal hardtop fitted to the old model.
The fabric roof brings a number of advantages over a metal one – it saves weight, leaves more room for luggage space when folded and also allows for sleeker styling.
The last of those points seems to be backed up by these pictures, which show the new M4 has a more flowing roofline than the ‘bitty’ design of the current model. The new BMW should also look neater with the roof folded down because there’s no need to give the car the lardy bottom needed to accommodate the bulky metal roof when it is lowered.
Up front, the M4 will get a conjoined grille kidney design with twin-unit headlights on either side, plus a motorsport-inspired lower bumper with large air vents ahead of the front wheels. Around the sides, big alloy wheels hide powerful brakes with drilled and ventilated discs. At the back of the car are a rear diffuser and four exhaust pipes.
Those exhausts hint at the power that will come from the same straight-six, twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre engine that is fitted to the BMW X3M Competition SUV. In the X3M, it produces 510hp and gets the heavy SUV from 0-62mph in just 4.1 seconds. Expect the lighter M4 Convertible to be a lot quicker.
You’ll be able to choose from a six-speed manual gearbox or an eight-speed conventional automatic gearbox, (rather than the quick-shifting twin-clutch unit on the outgoing car). Rumours also abound that at least one version of the new M4 will be available with the switchable four-wheel-drive system fitted to the BMW M5. Time will tell.
What we know for sure is that, inside, the new M4 will get larger infotainment screens than the outgoing model’s, and come equipped with BMW’s voice-activation system – which works a bit like Google Assistant or Siri on your phone. Based on the great-quality interior of the new BMW 3 Series – on which the new M4 is based – the interior quality will take a step up, too.
M4 models will be distinguishable by their body-hugging sports seats, sporty trim pieces, sports steering wheel and sprinkling of M badges.
Stay tuned to the carwow news pages for more on the new BMW M4 Convertible when we have it.