BMW M unveils gold-class coupe concept

BMW has pulled the wraps off an early look at the high-performance hero for its all-new 4 Series coupe range – and given it a liberal coating of gold dust.

The BMW Concept M4 Coupe was today unveiled in the US at the annual Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in the US, painted in a colour designed specifically for the concept car called “Aurum Dust” – aurum being Latin for gold.

However, the concept car gives a glimpse to BMW’s future direction – the M4 concept car embraces even more formula one-inspired carbon composite technology – as well as the roof, the M4 now uses the lightweight material for the front splitter and rear diffuser.

Under the hand of BMW’s M division, the 4 Series has converted into a high-performance road car.

The M4 concept features big kidney grilles – wearing an M4 badge – offset on either side by the now hallmark, heavily browed twin headlights ringed in LED daytime running lights.

Underneath, a pair of huge air intakes on either side of the composite lower air dam feed cooling air to the engine and brakes. Their vertical elements help to provide what BMW calls “aerodynamic closure” of the wheel arches, which helps with airflow and reduces fuel use.

Down the side, stretched, muscular wheel arches are offset with a strong crease running alongside the M4’s flanks that roll back from a guard-mounted vertical air vent that cuts in behind the front arch.

As with the previous M3, the M4 concept’s carbon-fibre roof helps the coupe shed weight, and effectively also lowers the car’s centre of gravity to help with dynamics.

At the rear, the fastback two-door concept features a subtle lip spoiler built into the bootlid, flat high-set tail-lights framing the outer edges, and a lower air dam that mimics the front end in its layout.

At either side, twin carbon-fibre exhaust ports are set inside the wide, 20-inch wheels.

“Each design element (of the Concept M4 Coupe) is based on the underlying technical demands of the BMW M high performance concept,” Adrian van Hooydonk, head of BMW Group Design, said at the car’s unveiling.

“Thanks to this authenticity, the design provides a taste of what can be experienced with each model: power, precise control and superior handling – an unforgettable driving experience on the racetrack as well as on the road,” he said.