We had a chance to sit down with Oliver Ganser, Product Strategy and Market Intelligence Manager at BMW, to discuss the M235i and 228i Coupes [Official Info Thread], which are having their world public debuts at Detroit this week and next.

Q: Does the M235i share the same electric power steering (EPS) system as the F20 M135i?
A: It’s the same system as the M135i, but different than the new M3/M4’s EPS. The EPS in the M3/M4 received a lot of structural improvements.

Q: What improvements were made to the N55 engine for the M235i application, if any?
A: It’s a normal N55 engine, but receives an enforced camshaft (cast iron was replaced by steel), adjusted software engine mapping, and improved cooling system.

Q: Does the M235i manual transmission feature rev matching?
A: Not yet.

Q: Does the M235i feature active sound design like the M135i?
A: Yes.

Q: Are the M Sport brakes better than the 6 piston brakes from the E82 135i?
A: The 4 piston fixed caliper together with the tires gets you better braking performance than the 6 piston E82 135i brakes. The brakes on the M235i are very similar to the standard M3/M4 brakes. The biggest difference is that the M3 has a larger brake disc. The M235i was tuned by the M division afterall.

Q: How do the different available suspension compare?
A: The 228i has four suspension levels – standard, M Sport (which gives a lower ride but no adaptive function), Adaptive M (discussed below), and M Performance.

The M235i in the US has no optional suspension, except the upcoming M Performance Suspension. The M235i comes standard with Adaptive M Suspension. But, even if you were to equip a 228i with Adaptive M Suspension, it’s a different system than in the M235i. They share everything except that there are electronic valves on the dampers of the M235i, which help it stick even better to the road and react better, as well as providing a smoother and less bumpy ride. This is something unique that you can only get on the M235i (and no other 2 Series).

[BIMMERPOST: For information on the M Performance Suspension for the M235i/228i, we will speak to M Performance Product Specialists at a later time].

Q: Does the M Adaptive Suspension behave differently in Sport and Comfort modes?
A: The suspension remains adaptive in both modes, but differs in stiffness between the two modes.

Q: Will there be Individual options for the 2 Series?
A: Not at this time. Leipzig is not an Individual-capable plant right now.

Q: What is the timeframe for the convertible 2 Series?
A: We stopped the 1 Series convertible production already. If there was a successor [BIMMERPOST: which, of course has already been spied], we don’t want to have 2-3 years in between cars.

Q: Can the US expect xDrive models?
A: I think we learned our lesson on not having xDrive. In the Northern and Eastern parts of the country, xDrive is one of the main elements to sell cars. There’s a good chance the cars will offered with xDrive.

Q: When will the M Performance Parts for the 2 Series be available?
A: Those responsible for them are trying to get these parts out as soon as possible, but I think we have to talk about the parts individually when talking about availability dates. They could become available piecemeal – at different times. The limited slip differential (LSD) is one of the popular parts people are waiting for. BMW itself is producing these; they’re not bought off the shelf. And the demand for it is far exceeding our initial estimates. We were scaling production for x amount, but now the demand looks much higher. So the question is how do we get these parts out. [BMW is working hard on it.]

Q: Will M Performance Parts be factory, port or dealer installed?
A: They will be port or dealer installed. That is the current plan.

Q: Any plans for diesel models?
A: There are no plans currently for diesel models for the US.

Q: Should we expect an gran coupe or M2 model?
A: Everything is possible. We will not let our folks down. We will have something that is really exciting.

Interesting tidbit that came up during our interview: “What we have seen on our tracks is that this car [M235i] is faster than a 1M Coupe.” This backs up what Klaus Froehlich, Senior Vice President Brand and Product Strategies at BMW, said in an interview last year – that the M235i will beat the 1M Coupe around the Nurburgring.

Also see: 2014 BMW M235i and 228i Pricing Guide (U.S.)

We hope you’ve been enjoying our coverage from the 2014 Detroit auto show, but we’re not done yet!

We’ve just had the opportunity to speak to BMW M representatives, including BMW M CEO Dr. Nitschke, Carsten Pries (Director of Product, BMW M), Albert Biermann (Director of Engineering, BMW M) and Florian Nissl (BMW M4 Exterior Designer), on the new M3 and M4. This is what they had to say about some of the questions you had, as well as other topics in this FAQ .

[Please refer to the Official Threads [F80 M3 | F82 M4] for all official tech specs.]

New Highlights

■ F80 M3 / F82 M4 are more than 10 seconds faster around the Nurburgring than the E90/E92 M3.

■ The M3/M4 were more or less built and developed around the steering. This electric power steering system (EPS) is the best that money can buy today. Our benchmark was to beat the current M3 in terms of steering feedback and we beat it (and there’s not much out there that can claim to beat the current M3 when it comes to steering feedback and precision). The steering is very much an enjoyable part of the car and you will be able to enjoy it not just on the Nurburgring, but also just going to the office everyday.

■ Reported DIN weight is with standard brakes (not carbon ceramics).

■ Carbon ceramic brakes save 6-7kg (13.2lbs – 15.4lbs) overall. Not as much weight saved as on the F10 M5 with ceramic brakes, but that’s because the caliper upgrade is much bigger than in the M5’s situation. Here, we’re seeing the calipers go from 4 piston front / 2 piston rear on the standard M3/M4 brakes to the 6 piston front / 4 piston rear calipers on the M Carbon Ceramic Brakes.

■ Automatic rev matching on the manual transmission is disabled in Sport+ mode. It’s active in the Sport and Comfort modes.

■ Center of gravity is pretty much the same between the M3 and M4, but not identical since the two cars have different shock absorber settings. Both are a little lower than the 3/4 Series.

■ M3 naturally has an aerodynamically better shape than the M4 (if the M4 did not have its gurney integrated trunk) due to the M4’s less steep and longer roof. The gurney flap integrated into the M4 trunk spoiler helps the M4 catch up aerodynamically.

■ New trunk lid removes 5kg (11 lbs) from the car instead of active rear spoilers which would have added weight to the car.

■ Manual transmission is a further developed gearbox from the 1M Coupe, with twin blade clutch, updated oil system and coating within the gearbox to take the higher load of the S55 engine. It’s also lighter by more than 12kg (26.5 lbs) compared to manual gearbox in E90 M3.

■ Manual transmission gearbox saves 55 pounds in the US curb weight (compared to DCT).

■ Rear seats are 5kg (11 lbs) lighter than regular 3 or 4 Series.

■ Engine crankshaft is about 3kg (6.6 lbs) lighter than typical BMW inline 6 engine, but 20% stiffer.

■ Crankcase housing is 2.8kg (6.2 lbs) lighter. No steel liners. Unique aluminum alloy plasmacoated with steel plasma, which reduces friction levels. This technology was used on the M3 GTS with its upgraded 4.4L 450hp engine.

■ Car’s components are engineered to withstand up to 1.4g braking force and more than 1.2g of lateral acceleration.

Roundtable Q&A:

What kind of effort does the M3/4 represent for the BMW M organization at all levels?

At BMW M, this [the M3/M4] is our priority 1 car in all aspects, from strategic naming in the early stage, then the product management level and then all the engineering. This is clearly our number one car – the core. If you look at the huge successful sales numbers of the M3 over all the generations, it leads to the fact that we have to spend even more time, effort and money on this car than on any other M cars because the expectations of our customers are extremely high.

Do I spend the money for the M3/M4 when the M235i is actually already giving me the performance of an E46 M3? Is there a chance that the overlap between the M3/M4 and M235i could cause a loss of sales of the M3/M4?

We obviously don’t want to draw people from the M3/M4 into something that is below like the M235i, but the character of these two cars are clearly distinctive, in terms of appearance and a big difference in performance. In driving it you will immediately realize that the M3/M4 has been inspired heavily by motorsport.

Another way to look at it is that with the M235i there is an opportunity to get younger people into an M235i so they get a taste of what an M car could be, and then their next step is to buy the real thing. In the end, we’re convinced that we will sell more M3/M4 by getting younger people into the M235i so we can guide them to the real thing.

Has the return to DTM racing boosted your sales?

It’s very difficult to say to what extent it boosted sales, but for brand image it is very important. BMW M GmbH used to be BMW Motorsports GmbH. Motorsport and BMW is a very strong and natural link.

How do you view your competitors?

For us there are basically two groups of competitors – first one in terms of driving dynamics and overall conceptual spirit is Porsche. They are closest to us in terms of brand DNA and aspirations, driving experience, agility and precision.

Then there are competitors the likes of AMG of Mercedes and RS of Audi. The S models from Audi are considered competitors of our M Performance Models, so the M235i for example would compete against an S model from Audi if they had a two-door. The Audi TT-S is probably what comes closest to it. Compared to AMG and RS models, BMW has been in a very strong position, even though sometimes it depends on which stage of the life cycle our products are in. Over an entire life cycle, the M3 is number in its segment, the M5 is number one in its segment and the X5 M and X6 M are the most successful cars in their segment.

Is M looking into xDrive for M3/M4 M5/M6? It could drop time off 0-60mph times.

Do you want to fool around with an extra 70-80kg (155 – 176 lbs) of weight? We have never been the king of traffic lights. Driving fun is what counts. All wheel drive is just a disturbance in that area. We’ve taken a huge effort to reduce the weight of the M3/M4 compared to the previous generation, so it would not be smart to add all that weight back for just one feature.

Along with the BMW M3 and BMW M4 making their debuts at this exciting show (due to such marquee BMW model debuts), is the BMW M235i coupe and 228i coupe [See Official Thread].

The M235i with its 3.0L N55 inline 6 cylinder turbo engine achieves 322 hp / 332 lb-ft and covers 0-60mph in 4.8 sec (auto) and 5.0 sec (manual).

The 228i is powered by the 2.0L N20 inline 4 cylinder turbo engine, good for 240 hp / 258 lb-ft. 0-60mph takes 5.4 sec (auto).

Both models will hit US dealers in March. For ordering/pricing information, see the official BMW guide at: http://www.2addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=923208

We’ll soon be publishing an interview we just had with BMW on the 2 Series, so be sure to check back.

We’ve shown you the Yas Marina Blue F80 M3 making its world debut here at the Detroit Show, now have a look at the F82 M4 in Black Sapphire Metallic and Austin Yellow Metallic. If forced to pick, my choice would be the M4 in Black Sapphire over the Austin Yellow; it looks sinister!

As with the M3, both M4s wear the optional M Carbon Ceramic Brakes and the beautiful double-bubble carbon fiber roof.

Deliveries will also begin in June, and pricing will be announced at a later time.

The 2014 BMW M3 (F80) and BMW M4 (F82) have just made their debuts here at the 2014 Detroit NAIAS show. Here is our first set of photos of the stunning F80 M3 in Yas Marina Blue. It’s indeed more attractive in person as its metallic paint gives it a look and sheen that is hard to appreciate in photos.

We’ve tried to capture what we’ve seen with our eyes, so enjoy!

More photos (of M4) to come soon, so check back.