When a God unveiled the devils in the garage

Fun fact: A BMW M5 revs from 0 to 100 kmph in just 3.7 seconds. It will take another two seconds for your brain to get back in its original place after all that revving. Sachin Tendulkar owns one of these. The launch of BMW’s two M babies was unlike any other that the automaker had ever done in India. While the tyre smoking M3 always had its name carved on the best of tarmacs across the world, the all new sibling, M4 Coupe, is no less. For those who wished the M3 came with two doors, the M4 Coupe is a delight. And to sum it up, that’s the only difference between the two cars. Similar specs, similar engine configuration… But hang on. We will get back to that later.

Unveiling the new devils in the BMW garage, the God of cricket shared his M story, while a few others and I were busy watching the new twins burn some rubber at the Buddh International Circuit last weekend.

“I just finished many laps on all the BMW M cars… it has been fabulous,” Sachin Tendulkar said. “The cars and cricket have a lot in common. While batting, you need good balance, you need good weight distribution and you need low centre of gravity; these cars have it. Fast bowlers, when they are quick, they are intimidating; these cars when they start accelerating, they are intimidating.”

Sachin then went on to talk about the M5, saying, “M in motorsport stands for power, performance, aggression, but I had to convince my wife differently. I kept telling her that the M5 is a family car, we can go to restaurants, we can take the kids to school, you can take it for shopping, I can take that car for practice and she was finally convinced. So for me, M stands for magical.”

Like many others, even I had this same doubt: can’t the M cars be used for daily activities? To which Philipp von Sahr, president, BMW Group India, spoke for guys like me to the legendary cricketer, “So don’t you think they can be used on the roads?”Sachin responded, “Of course, you can! I do use it too.”

I was glad, because Sachin Tendulkar was conclusive enough. He then picked up an M5 from the genealogical M family parked like a bow on the circuit and sped away like an arrow. That was all the Sachin part.

Taking it ahead from him, Philipp made the most grand avowal, maybe the grandest after the Independence Day speech, he said, “For generations, BMW M GmbH has been combining thoroughbred motor racing genes with uncompromised everyday usability. A new chapter in the fascinating history of high-performance sports cars from BMW M GmbH is the beginning. The all-new BMW M3 and the all-new BMW M4 Coupé are sharing pole position. Meticulous and passion-fuelled development has underpinned the creation of two high-performance sports cars that set new standards in terms of overall concept, precision and agility.”

No other fancy alphabets like Vs and Ws, the new cars boasts of an innovative BMW M Twin Power Turbo Technology. The cars deliver good performance with its newly developed high-revving, straight six-cylinder engine with lightweight design concept. The new M engine convinces with its output of 317 kW / 431 hp as well as with its tremendous power development, which provides considerably more shove in the lower rev ranges. The engine responds enthusiastically to boost the acceleration from 0 to 100 kmph in just 4.1 seconds with a top speed of 250 kmph.

At first glance, the cars exude superior power and an exceptional appearance expressed in specific BMW M design features such as the distinctive M double-bar kidney grill with M emblem and flared wheel arches. These are perfectly matched with aerodynamics features such as air curtains and M gills with air breathers on the front wings, an integrated rear spoiler and diffuser in the rear apron.

Both the models come with M Carbon roof which gives them a lower-slung look, reduces overall weight and lowers the centre of gravity – for even sportier driving. The limitless strength of the all-new BMW M4 Coupé was evident in every detail. The muscular power dome defined the contours of the turbocharger engine and the extended bonnet was the beginning of an athletic coupé line that exuded pure sportiness.

The seven-speed M dual-clutch transmission with Drivelogic was an innovative dual-clutch system designed for the high-revving BMW M engine with shift paddles on the steering wheel. The exhaust system of both the BMW M models comes with two twin tailpipes. The electrically controlled flaps, positioned just before the rear silencer minimise exhaust backpressure and create a distinctively unmistakable BMW M sound across the entire rev range.

To conclude, the M3 and the M4 Coupé, confront the laws of physics – two icons that yet again set new standards with unprecedented precision. Designed using motor sport technology for pure dynamics at the performance limits, they don’t just push the physical limits. They also extend the boundaries for the driver, making what was once thought impossible, possible – when man and machine become one. The all India ex-showroom price of the all-new BMW M3 is Rs 1.19 crore and the all-new BMW M4 Coupé is Rs 1.21 crore.