BMW M4 Coupe beats M3 ‘Ring time

The new BMW M4 Coupe is faster around the Nürburgring than its outgoing, V8-powered predecessor, but then you probably guessed that, right?

In not-really-that-surprising-news, it appears a German magazine called Sport Auto took the brand new turbocharged M4 Coupe to the ‘Ring - one with the automatic gearbox and sticky Michelins - patted it on the back and set it loose.

The time? A very respectable 7m 52s. Which - if you can compare such things - puts it a full 13 seconds clear of the old V8-powered M3 Coupe (8m 05s).

Of course, Nürburgring times are indeed a very grey area, but here's the interesting point: the new M4 Coupe is still two seconds off the E46 BMW M3 CSL's time of 7m 50s.

Weighing in at 1500kg with a 3.0-litre turbocharged sixer, 425bhp, 405lb ft and a 0-62mph time of 4.1s, the new M4 is certainly quick enough. But though BMW repeatedly told us they won't be doing an even more lightweight, hardcore CSL version of this new car, is there any pace left in the M4?

First drive: the new BMW M3 and M4