CarAdvice's spy photographers have caught the all-new BMW M4 Convertible during "last minute testing" at the Nurburgring in Germany.
The new drop-top has been spied undergoing testing before, but this is the first time the new M4 Convertible has been spied in near-production trim, and our first shots of it being put through its paces at the infamous German test track. A few changes are noticeable - it now wears larger M wheels, and a new front bumper with revised air intakes has been fitted.
Expected to be revealed later this year - possibly at the Paris motor show in September - the new hardcore convertible will use the same 3.0-litre twin-turbo producing 317kW of power between 5500-7300rpm and 550Nm of torque between 1850-5500rpm. The previous M3 Convertible was powered by a high-revving 4.0-litre V8, and produced 309kW and 400Nm.
As is the case with the 4 Series Coupe and recently added 4 Series Convertible, it is expected there will be a significant weight difference between the M4 Coupe and M4 Convertible. The weight of the folding metal roof equates to about 225kg in the standard range, pushing the current range-topping 435i model's kerb weight to a hefty 1700kg - but the production M4 Convertible may employ some additional lightweight technology - such as carbonfibre panelling - to help keep it relatively trim.
The M4 coupe has a claimed 4.1-second 0-100km/h sprint time when fitted with the optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the six-speed manual claims a 4.3sec time. Depending on the weight difference, the convertible could be up to 0.5sec slower to triple figures.
CarAdvice has contacted BMW Australia for comment on the latest batch of M4 Convertible spy images, but we'd expect the car could make it on sale locally by late 2014 or early 2015.
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