New BMW M3 In Sedan Form Only, M4 Coupe Coming: Report

The current Coupe variant might be the last time you see the M3 name on a two-door, according to reports out of Europe this week.

Following reports earlier this year that BMW will shift its coupe and cabriolet models to an even-numbered badge (2 Series, 4 Series), Britain's Autocar is reporting that the next M duo will be the M3 Sedan and a new M4 Coupe.

While a new Coupe has yet to arrive - in either 3 or 4 Series guise - the recent unveiling of the 2012 3 Series sedan means that a four-door debut for the next M car could occur in the coming year.

The regular 4 Series Coupe and Cabriolet, built on the same platform as the new 3 Series, are expected to arrive in 2014. The M4 Coupe will supposedly debut in the following six months.

The differences will reportedly go beyond bodystyle and badges, with the M4 expected to be the more hardcore, performance-focused half of the M3 Sedan and M4 Coupe pair.

Both models are expected to utilise a twin-turbo six-cylinder engine, retiring the current 309kW V8 mill and boosting output to around 335kW.

Pictured above: the 2012 3 Series M Sport package.