Just like Mercedes-Benz->ke187 dominates this year's Formula One->ke662 championship, the 2014 Moto GP series has Honda->ke34 standing out of the pack as the ruling manufacturer. Of the 18 races 14 of them have been won by Honda riders, but the Japanese company's success would've been less thunderous without Marc Marquez. The Spaniard took 13 pole positions, earned 13 wins and secured his second consecutive title throughout the 2014 season. An achievement very few riders are capable of and one that brought Marquez a brand-new BMW M4 worth more than $70,000.

This bespoke M4 featuring an Individual paint job, interior upholstery and trims, comes from BMW->ke178 itself, which ran the BMW M Award for the best qualifying rider of the season. In a class of its own this year, Marquez won the award for the second time in a row, building on last year's success as the first rookie to grab the four-wheeled trophy.

"Knowing the prize is there at the end of the year gives you special motivation when going for pole on Saturday," said Marquez while receiving the German sports coupe.->ke506 "This year even more so, because I really like this BMW M4 Coupe. I am happy to receive this car and, of course, I will enjoy it." Granted, the Spaniard has plenty of time to enjoy his new Bimmer, as the next Moto GP season won't commence until late March 2015.

Marc Marquez won the 2014 Moto GP->ke2192 season by a comfortable margin, securing 362 points over 18 events. The Honda rider was followed by Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, both riding for Yamaha.->ke301

Click past the jump to read more about the BMW M4 Coupe "BMW M Award" Edition.

2015 BMW M4 Coupe "BMW M Award" Edition

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2015 BMW M4 Coupe "BMW M Award" Edition
  • Engine/Motor: inline-6
  • Horsepower: 425 @ 5500
  • Torque: 406 @ 1750
  • Transmission: six-speed manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The first thing that catches the eye is the M4’s bespoke exterior color. The coupe is finished in a special Frozen Red Metallic, a hue that’s only available through BMW’s Individual customization program. Other than that, this M4 is retains its stock visuals, meaning there are no additional aerodynamic improvements or special parts fitted.

That's not to say this unique M4 is a dull-looking machine, as the M4 is a stunning rig itself and that color is amazing.

Interior

The interior, on the other hand, received more attention. The standard leather upholstery is replaced by BMW Individual’s fine-grain Merino Opal White, with Ash Grain White trim completing the light-colored package. Needless to say, the contrast between the red exterior and the white interior is rather striking.

Everything else remains standard M4 ware, meaning Marquez' example is equipped with M-branded door sills, driver's footrest, gearshift lever, instrument cluster, among other M-exclusive features. Naturally, the front seats come with race-inspired bolsters, while the rear seats are made from a lightweight composite material.

Drivetrain

The drivetrain is as stock as it gets, but that’s something Marc Marquez shouldn’t be upset about. The brand-new, 3.0-liter, inline-six engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology generates 425 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, which is more than enough to push the coupe from naught to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. As the 0-to-60 benchmark indicates, this M4 is equipped with a seven-speed, double-clutch transmission with paddle shifters located behind the steering wheels.

Other standard high-performance goodies include M carbon-ceramic brakes, an active M differential, and a Dynamic Stability Control system.

Prices

BMW didn't say a word as to how much a similarly equipped M4 would cost, but we can do our own math. The M4 is priced from $64,200 in the U.S., with the DCT autobox adding another $2,900 to the sticker. Given the M4's optional exterior paints retail for $550, it's safe to assume an Individual hue is around $1,000. Add another $3,500 for a full Merino leather interior, around $1,000 for the bespoke interior trims and $950 for delivery and an exact copy of Marquez's M4 would cost about $73,550.

Conclusion

The M4 "BMW M Award" Edition is the perfect way to draw more attention to the company's redesigned sports coupe. Sure, the M4 already gets all the attention it deserves, but the association with Moto GP and a brilliant rider such as Marc Marquez provides precious extra coverage. In all, this Bimmer is not that spectacular, but it's doing a good job at promoting the M4.

BMW M4 Coupe

Launched for the 2014 model year, the M4 marked a historic split for the iconic M3 nameplate, which no longer includes both sedan and coupe versions. As of 2014, the M3 name was assigned exclusively to sedans, while the M4 moniker is now used to identify what was previously known as the M3 Coupe. The M4 also brought an major change under the hood, as the vehicle switched from naturally aspirated, V-8 engines to turbocharged, inline-six mills.

The brand-new powerplant found under the M4’s bonnet displaces 3.0 liters and features TwinPower Turbo technology, resulting in 425 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque heading to the wheels through either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed DCT autobox. Albeit smaller than its predecessor, the engine propels the M4 from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.9 seconds when equipped with a DCT and in 4.1 seconds with a manual. Pricing for the M4 begins from $64,200.