GTS 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7AM)
GTS 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7AM)
GTS 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7AM)
GTS 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 7AM)
Newly launched for the 2015 model year, it offers a great balance between comfort and sport as it offers features that assist in either of these aspects. Available as a fully loaded trim at a sticker price of $65,195, the 2015 M4 outperforms cars way beyond its price range.
The BMW M4 might feel like just another M3 with fewer doors and a sleeker body, which might actually be the case, but the impact it has on the car is something that one has to experience to understand the difference between the two. From a track-day machine to a daily commuter, the M4 is all set to do all of it suaver than the M3. Newly launched for the 2015 model year, it offers a great balance between comfort and sport as it offers features that assist in either of these aspects. Available as a fully loaded trim at a sticker price of $65,195, the 2015 M4 outperforms cars way beyond its price range.
The M4 is offered by BMW in a single fully loaded trim only with the only option being for the body style, the coupe and the convertible. It features many safety, interior, and functionality features to make the car as practical and capable it already is. The active charcoal air filter, heated mirrors, and side & top view cameras are some of the many features offered by BMW.
Trims |
Coupe |
---|---|
MSRP |
$65,195 |
Key Features |
Post-Collision Safety System |
Interior Active Charcoal Air Filter |
|
Dual Zone Front Climate Control |
|
Heated Mirrors |
|
Harman Kardon Surround Sound System |
|
Side And Top View Cameras |
|
Premium Leather Upholstery |
We Recommend
Since only a single trim is available to buyers, there is not much to choose from when buying one, but BMW does offer various optional packages that add some more features and utility to tailor the car as per individual needs and style. Since we are talking about the coupe variant, the coupe is one hell of a choice.
The BMW M4 is powered by the dependable 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-6 engine that produces a hefty 425 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque from as low as 1,850 rpm. This helps the car reach 60 mph from a standstill in just 3.7 seconds, whereas the quarter-mile takes just 12 seconds flat.
The power from the engine is sent only to the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual only. No automatic transmission or an all-wheel-drive setup is available even as an option, but then that’s how the M range of cars are best enjoyed.
Model |
BMW M4 |
Lexus RC F |
Porsche 718 Cayman GTS |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$65,195 |
$63,340 |
$76,195 |
Engine |
3.0L, Twin-Turbo Inline-6 |
5.0L, Naturally Aspirated V8 |
3.4L, Naturally Aspirated Flat-6 |
Drivetrain |
RWD |
RWD |
RWD |
Transmission |
6-speed manual |
8-speed automatic |
6-speed manual |
Power |
425 hp @ 5,500 rpm |
467 hp @ 7,100 rpm |
340 hp @ 7,400 rpm |
Torque |
406 lb-ft @ 1,850 rpm |
389 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm |
280 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm |
0-60 mph (sec) |
3.7 |
4.3 |
4.2 |
Quarter-mile (sec) |
12.0 |
12.8 |
12.6 |
Top Speed (mph) |
163 |
171 |
175 |
The Lexus RC F is a bit on the cheaper side as compared to the M4 and produces more power as well. But sadly, the naturally aspirated V8 just cannot cope up with the M4 and hence is the slowest in the acceleration tests. The Porsche 718 Cayman GTS, although is considerably more expensive, but the lack of power means it is only marginally faster than the RC F and around half-second behind the BMW.
Fuel efficiency isn’t usually the top priority when one intends to buy an M-series performance car, and the M4 isn’t the most frugal one in the market as well. The EPA rates the M4 for 17 mpg in the city and 26 mpg out on the highway, whereas the combined fuel economy is rated at 20 mpg. That being said, the small-ish gas tank is the disappointing factor here as it reduces the driving range to a maximum of only around 400 miles, which means frequent gas station visits.
Model |
BMW M4 |
Lexus RC F |
Porsche 718 Cayman GTS |
---|---|---|---|
MPG (City) |
17 |
16 |
19 |
MPG (Highway) |
26 |
25 |
26 |
MPG (Combined) |
20 |
19 |
22 |
Fuel Capacity (gal) |
15.9 |
17.4 |
16.9 |
Range (City / Highway / Combined) (miles) |
270 / 413 / 318 |
278 / 435 / 331 |
321 / 439 / 372 |
The RC F is powered by a large naturally aspirated V8 engine, which also translates to poor fuel efficiency figures. But the large fuel tank helps it compensate for the high fuel consumption. The 718 Cayman GTS is the most efficient car here, and a sizable fuel tank together offers a superior driving range on a single tank of gas than the M4.
The M4 gets almost an identical interior as that of the 4 Series with all its bells and whistles included in the package. The carbon fiber and aluminum trim, the larger display screen with navigation, and the touchpad iDrive controller together with the analog gauges provide a great balance between modernity and classic retro style.
The seats are very comfortable and supportive and are suited for aggressive driving, and there is enough space even at the back for two average-sized adults to be seated.
Model |
BMW M4 |
Lexus RC F |
Porsche 718 Cayman GTS |
---|---|---|---|
Seating Capacity |
4 |
4 |
2 |
Front Row (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (in) |
39.8 / 55.3 / 42.2 |
37.8 / 50.7 / 45.4 |
NA |
Rear Row (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (in) |
36.1 / 51.7 / 33.7 |
35.0 / 46.1 / 27.3 |
N/A |
Cargo Capacity (cu-ft) |
11.0 |
10.1 |
NA |
The M4 can seat adults at the back seat with reasonable comfort, and although long rides would not be ideal, it is manageable. The Lexus RC F on the other hand offers pretty spacious seating at the front but the legroom suffers at the back. There is also not enough headroom, whereas the seats too aren’t as wide as the ones on the M4. Major interior features include-
The M4 is offered with the same infotainment system from the 4 Series with the technology package included. This means, it gets the larger infotainment system which is controlled by the iDrive touchpad controller and has pretty crisp graphics, which is also pretty intuitive to use. Navigation is included as well, whereas a head-up display is available as an option.
The music department is handled by a Harman/Kardon audio system which includes a 600W amplifier. Few key infotainment features include-
Look at it from the front, and it could be easily mistaken for a 4 Series at first glance, but look closer, and the M-stripes and M badging clearly show the racing pedigree it hides underneath.
The sleeper car looks of the M4 is what attracts many buyers as not all want to show the grunt hiding the hood all the time. The large blacked-out rims look stunning on the test car and complement perfectly the gold paint job of the coupe.
Model |
BMW M4 |
Lexus RC F |
Porsche 718 Cayman GTS |
---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
3,530 |
3,958 |
2,910 |
Length (in) |
184.5 |
185.2 |
172.4 |
Width (in) |
73.6 |
72.6 |
70.9 |
Height (in) |
54.4 |
54.7 |
51.0 |
Ground Clearance (in) |
4.8 |
5.1 |
4.0 |
Wheelbase (in) |
110.7 |
107.5 |
97.4 |
Despite being almost the same size as that of the RC F, the M4 is lighter by over 400 lbs. The 718 Cayman GTS is the lightest of the lot by a huge margin, but the compact dimensions and lack of a rear seat is the major reason behind it. The ground clearance is also the least on the Porsche, whereas the RC F offers the highest ground clearance, marginally greater than BMW. Few standout features include-
The niche market it is targeted at and the high price tag of the car means that neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has crash-tested the M4, and the chances of that happening anytime soon are also slim. That being said, BMW does not let go of the safety aspect in a car that was built to go sideways as much as it goes the straightway. There is a considerable amount of safety tech on offer that makes the M4 a safe car even on a track day meet for all its occupants. Major safety features include-
The 2015 BMW M4 offers loads of performance and comfort at a price point that undercuts most other offerings in the market. The car offers exceptional performance and various driver aids for the owner to enjoy it both on the road, the drag strip, or at a circuit. The competitors might offer better luxury or more performance, but none of them strikes a chord with the perfect balance of performance and luxury at an affordable price tag.