New BMW M4 Convertible Has Been Caught Nearly Naked

It’s been a few months since the controversial BMW M4 Coupe debuted, and now the Bavarian is preparing to unleash the new convertible version. The regular BMW 4 Series Convertible debuted last September, so the time seems right for its more muscular sibling to arrive. BMW was recently caught taking an M4 Convertible prototype for a high-speed run at the Nurburgring, but we’ve now spotted it again and, this time out, the convertible sports coupe is practically naked in our latest sighting.

All that’s protecting its modesty is a strip of camouflage partially covering the back. Apart from that, this M4 Convertible is completely undisguised. Finished in Isle of Man Green, a bold new launch color available for the M3 and M4, its production body is plain to see.

Like its coupe counterpart, the new M4 Convertible sports a significantly larger kidney grille, which continues to divide opinions. BMW has resolutely defended this design decision, arguing that it helps set the 4 Series apart from the 3 Series – although this argument fails with the M3 in play.

To reduce the car’s weight, the M4 Convertible will feature a lighter soft-top roof replacing the previous model’s hardtop. The new roof is around 40 percent lighter and has increased the standard 4 Series Convertible’s headroom by 0.2 inches. At speeds of up to 31 mph, the roof can be opened or closed in 18 seconds.

Under the hood will be the same 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six as the M4 Coupe that produces 473 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque in the standard M4 and 503 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque in the range-topping Competition model. The regular M4 Convertible will be equipped with a six-speed manual sending power to the rear wheels as standard, while the Competition variant will have an eight-speed automatic transmission and an optional all-wheel-drive system.

Since this prototype was spied nearly naked, we’re expecting the new BMW M4 Convertible to break cover in a few weeks. Expect it to cost more than the regular M4 Coupe, which starts at $71,800.