Quote:
Originally Posted by CP911
Yes, but the differences between those M cars and the standard series cars were very subtle. Basically just the edges/sides of the grille were different, but the basic shape was essentially the same. This seems to be a much larger departure from the regular 3-series.
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The E9x M3 and F8x M3/M4 shared parts with the E92 3 Series and F32 4 Series respectively. That won't change with this generation. That is to say, the reason the M4 is getting the taller grill is because the 4 Series is getting the taller grill, and the reason the M3 is getting that same grill is because it borrows the front end from the coupe family. As such, the difference between the front end of the M3/M4 and the 4 Series will likely be much the same as in past generations (wider fenders, different bumper styling with larger air intakes).
Those semantics aside, it may very well be the case that the
4 Series (and, formerly, the 3 Series coupe) styling is the most distinct from the 3 Series sedan that it has ever been. It certainly does look as though that will be the case given that the G20 has very short wide grill while the G22 will have a narrow tall grill.
To me it is unfortunate that the M3 must, once again, inherit from the coupe lineage. It may not be the only reason, but it certainly plays a role in the later-than-necessary launch date. The F90 M5 was on the market within a year of the G30. The G80 M3 will trail the G20 by at least a year and a half, and it is looking like it will be closer to two years (that is, together with the G82, sometime after the G22 arrives).