What's all this about?

The BMW M4 Coupé is a pretty intense car already, right? And you'd think it benefits from the full knowledge of BMW's M Division boffins, correct? Well, no. Apparently, it can be improved further from its standard trim by a load of M Performance Parts (MPP). The company has shown these items off on an M4 at the SEMA show in Las Vegas.

Does the MPP kit include big power upgrades?

No, and that's the point - the M4 MPP is essentially a styling exercise, although there are one or two technical gems in the equipment fitted to the US show car. BMW once did a 330Ci Clubsport that was a lot like this; some might unkindly say 'all mouth and no trousers'.

But surely it still has all the rabid performance of an M4?

Oh yes, it certainly does: 0-62mph in 4.1 seconds (the show car is a DCT model), a limited 155mph top speed, 431hp and 550Nm. So it's quick.

So how is the MPP different?

It features lots and lots of carbon fibre, both outside and in. You'll find the material on the door mirror caps, the reshaped rear diffuser, that through-flow spoiler perched on the boot and slathered all over the cabin within. There are also some gloss-black details outside (like the front grille and the side gills), the MPP gets wider side sills, there's a beautiful Alcantara-rimmed M Performance Pro steering wheel (with a blue marker stitched in at top dead centre, motorsport-style) and plenty of 'M Performance' logos outside and in. Oh, and lovely tricolour M stripes running the length of its body.

What is the purpose of it, then?

It is designed to show off these accoutrements as they will be available to buy from dealerships in January next year. So you can individualise your M4 a bit, you see.

You said there were some technical gems, though?

Yes, the M4 MPP sits on lowered, adjustable BMW M Performance coilover suspension to improve grip levels even further, while it also has an M Performance exhaust. This features a logoed titanium back box and M-engraved carbon fibre exhaust tips. It promises to make the M4 sound very mean indeed and it should improve waste gas flow as well, perhaps sharpening performance just a smidgen.

So it's not exactly the bridging point between the M4 and the GTS, then?

Erm, probably not, no.

Anything else to add?

M Performance also showed off a lot of the same carbon fibre styling additions for the forthcoming M2 Coupé, due on sale next year. And while the items shown at SEMA were only for the M2 and M4 models, BMW said all M vehicles would be able to have M Performance kit fitted by the middle of next year.

Matt Robinson - 7 Nov 2015