The BMW Concept M4's official images were revealed today in Pebble Beach, where the Concept M4 will join the vintage 507 Cabriolet and a few other greatest hits on the BMW ->ke178 show grass this week. The Concept M4 previews one of the most exciting new cars of next year, and BMW->ke178's M car concept history tells us that the production car will pack all of the drama and technical beauty of this stunning concept.

No details yet on the powertrain or the performance, but considering that the 335i hits 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds - the extra performance of the M4 should bring the times into the high 3's for the first time. Explosive turbocharged power is a sure thing - and goes very well with the stunning visual feast that is the Concept M4.

Away from the glamor and sun-drenched crowds at Pebble Beach, the 2015 BMW M4 production model is undergoing final testing and handling tweaks, with its arrival in U.S. dealers some time next summer to battle the Nissan GT-R, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe and the Audi RS5.

Please click past the jump for the official image gallery and a full styling analysis of BMW Concept M4.

2014 BMW Concept M4 Coupe

Specifications
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  • Model: 2014 BMW Concept M4 Coupe
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Pros
Cons

Exterior Front Styling Analysis - BMW Concept M4

The styling of the BMW ->ke178 Concept M4 really moves the car-design world ahead by quite a few generations in one leap. The complex structures, flowing and overlapping surfaces, and elaborate aerodynamic enhancements are all stunning. Paired with the carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) splitter in the lower bumper is a grille face and headlamp signature that is shared with the rest of the 4 Series line. Unique detailing for the grille is a light refresh versus the rest of the design.

The newest 3D LED lights appear up front, with chopped upper and lower graphics and a deep, interesting clear ceramic that moves the LED light into the halo shape.

The grille of this generation 4 Series also shows of the BMW design team is bending the rules of car design. After all, even the prettiest shapes are worthless if they cannot be put down a production line. Things like how sharp a crease is can be a make-or-break styling element - but some car companies simply cannot stamp those shapes in their existing factories, so the ideas get watered down.

BMW->ke178's advanced styling for the 6 Series GC and others is making it to the road intact - a huge achievement for the team.

The bumper area is defined by a flowing painted splitter shape that runs under the twin kidney grilles. This shape dives downward as it heads to the front flanks, then arcs upward in a full circle around the front air intake. A layered and free-standing appearance of the second layer of chin spoiler carries through the front corners.

Something incredible about the shape of the new 4 Series and the Concept M4 is how almost unnaturally wide it looks. Low and wide means sporty, of course, but even some of the BMW print ads can cause a double take. Have they been messing with the aspect ratio? It's a dramatic touch achieved by numerous styling ideas up front - and executed brilliantly. No, it is not a misprint - the 4 Series really is that wide and low looking in person.

Exterior Profile Styling Analysis - BMW Concept M4

From the side, more of the clean and sheer body panels of the 435i offer a proud and muscular stance on these gigantic wheels. The flat hood bulge is now more sharply defined, and is flanked by twin shoulder flow lines extending from the BMW badge on the hood.

All this hood action is actually visible from the side, enhancing the M4's street cred and also making it seem slightly angry at other traffic. Certainly ready to lunge at any moment. A low ride height wraps those wheels in softly flowing fender flares. It is a clean treatment but not likely to be mistaken for the 435i thanks to the deep, sculpted fender vent. This vent almost seems to stand proud of the body in a very three-dimensional way that evokes the i8, among other BMW coupes.

In a phrase that cannot be said about most styling, BMW is quite unique at the moment. Even Shreyer's shrewd Hyundai-Kia team in Germany is nowhere near this league.

The Concept M4 is much more refreshing in profile than the 6 Series coupe and M6, which still suffer from sedan overhangs and other styling that just feels too heavy. The Concept M4 corrects those perceived M6 issues, and follows a softer form line more in the flavor of the 6 Series GranCoupe.

The roof of the Concept M4 is a highlight both because of its exposed-weave CFRP appearance and for the Motorsport flag colors that form a single racing stripe on the driver's side of the roof. The rear fender flare is nearly invisible - blending effectively with the Concept M4's unique rear bumper. Conservative sills still get the message across: this BMW is a racecar with leather seats.

Exterior Rear Styling Analysis - BMW Concept M4

Wow. This BMW's tail styling is far more outrageous than any 4 Series model, with a special CFRP trunk panel that features a wildly arced spoiler, much like the renowned CSL M3 models. The first thing that hits you about the trunk's duck-tail spoiler is how vertical and flat the rear trunk face is - in contrast with the sweeping panels of the CFRP diffuser, quad exhaust pipes and LED brake lights.

The LED lights form a large dark-red plastic area with flowing internal LED optic lines extending their width into the swage of the body profile. The next thing to hit you about the tail of the Concept M4 is again its extreme width, with a sharply defined rear glasshouse that is well inboard of the widest shoulders of the M4.

The last thing to hit you are the stunning rear tires. Achieving a 60 mph sprint time in the 3-second range means this Concept M4's rear rubber seems directly removed from a Porsche 911 Turbo - or perhaps the treads on BMW's own X5 M and X6 M - but without the funky camber setup.

The wide tires are also a critical part of the M4's advanced differential, that is expected to bring the fine art of limited-slip to a new level of precision. The M4 will aim for the same level of active lateral torque shifts as cars like the McLaren 12C.

Even with a weird new badge (that seems off at first after years of M3 devotion) can't silence the greatest part of this Concept M4's tail design: you can almost hear the car's turbocharged straight six rip a screeching launch and then scream toward warp drive. While the turbochargers do muzzle some of the finest notes on automobile-dom on the 335i, the Concept M4 is sure to be a head-spinner for pedestrians with a distinctive and loud bark.

Competition - BMW Concept M4

Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe

The shotgun blast of this atmospheric V-8 monster is what BMW will be aware of when defining the tunes from the M4's quad pipes. The C63 AMG is hard to get excited about these days, despite still packing supercar pace and a sleek coupe profile. The front is just so ancient and the cabin feels eon's behind the latest S-Class, among others.

As fun and popular as the C63 AMG Black Series is (Jeremy Clarkson has had a few as daily drivers), it is a sure bet that fewer people are waiting with baited breath for this car's replacement.

Audi RS5

BMW faces competition from the extremely competent and potent Audi RS5 for the first time in the United States. Camp lines are already being drawn, with a fierce battle royal on the agenda.

The RS5 may need a Plus package to keep up with the BMW's scorching sprint potential - as the RS5 does not seem to pack the same level of overboost tweaking as the S8 and RS7 models - each of which are jumbo sized but hit 60 mph in 3.9 seconds.

Conclusion - BMW Concept M4

Just months after revealing the official 435i, the Concept M4 performance flagship of the line is both critical to the launch of the 4 Series - but it is also widely seen as a bellwether for BMW's ability to sportify the latest luxury driving experience that is creeping into even the most hard-core Bimmers.

Passionate fans, buyers, engineers and even the mechanics at the BMW garage - everyone simply adores the BMW M legend. And the center of that M universe is this stunning coupe. Even changing the oil is a special treat in a world that is increasingly filled with humdrum BMW models.

Similarly, the Pebble Beach Concept M4 will zap the crowds into a wild frenzy this week. The styling elegance, complexity and performance promise are a rare combination indeed. Well done, BMW.

But good luck keeping paw prints off this hot body - everyone will want to touch the surreal panels and designs of the Concept M4. Bring on the production M4.