1998 99 00 01 02 Camaro Z28 Trans Am Black Ebony Console on 2040-parts.com

Why the BMW M4 is better than the M3 V8 (2013)

It’s no exaggeration to say that the turbocharged engine in the upcoming BMW M3 (saloon) and M4 (coupe) models is one of the most important engines ever produced by BMW’s M Division. No, it’s not the first turbo lump the performance off-shoot has built – you'll probably know we’ve already had the X5/X6M mutants plus the brilliant 1M and M5 and M6 – but it is the first turbo ever to slot in a production M3, the car that personifies BMW’s iconic performance sub brand, which itself has always been defined by high-revving, naturally aspirated engines. All of this explains why M’s engineers have cut their teeth on other engines first before plucking up the courage to develop the M3/M4 turbo while turning their backs on the outgoing E92 M3’s exceptional V8.

New (2014) BMW M3 and M4: OFFICIAL

The new BMW M3 (pictured) debuts along with its coupe sibling, the BMW M4 (below) We’ve had teases from BMW for the new M3 and M4 but now, ahead of a public debut at the Detroit Auto Show next month, we get the official details. Key to the four-door M3 and 2-door M4 is the new 3.0 litre engine, a new turbo, direct injection in-line six petrol which produces 425bhp and a very healthy 405lb/ft of torque from just 1850 rpm. That sort of grunt is enough to get the M3 and M4 to 62mph in 4.3 seconds with the standard six-speed manual, but opt for the seven-speed DCT ‘box and it’s even quicker – just 4.1 seconds.

Peugeot 308 R concept (2013) at Frankfurt motor show

The Peugeot 308 R could be the biggest hint yet that Peugeot is getting its mojo back. Carrying the RCZ concept’s styling into production was a good start, and the new 208 GTi is a pleasantly surprising hoot, but for bigger smiles you’ll want this: a 270bhp, carbonfibre-clad hot hatch that’ll give an Audi S3 a fright, and leave a Golf GTI in its tyre tracks. The catch?