With about a month to go before BMW officially unveils its next-generation M4 (G82), aRussian website has published these renders based on spy images of the upcoming coupe, which will be launched in 353 kW rear-wheel-drive and 375 kW Competition all-wheel-drive guises.

There seems no end to the controversy surrounding the tall-grille treatment of the new BMW 4 Series. Last week, Frank Stephenson, who designed the E53-generation BMW X5, praised the overall design of the G22-generation 4 Series on his YouTube channel, but described the (intersecting) double-kidney design as reminiscent of “nostrils” and “a graphic that doesn’t sit well with the proportions of the car”.

Stephenson could also not understand why BMW opted to position the number plate in the centre of grille (because it essentially chops the design in two), adding: “they (seemed to) designa grille, then they designed a car, and… brought the two together (but) they’re not speaking the same language”.

Thatfront-fender gill (with the subtle M4 strake)looks perfectly functional… as opposed to those on many contemporary cars.

Whether you agree or disagree with the American designer’s assessment (he was named "one of most influential automotive designers of our time" by Motor Trend magazineand famouslypenned the modern interations of the Mini Cooper and Fiat 500, as well as a number of Ferrari, Maserati and McLaren models – see his abridged portfolio), it’s evident that the inherent athleticism of the G22’s design lends itself to a purposeful, sportier execution that what we’ve already seen on the M440i xDrive.

It’s quite ballsy to pre-empt a finished version of an upcoming model with is unveiling just a few weeks away, but this artist’s impression (by Nikita Chuiko), which appeared on Kolesa, has drawn praise from commentators, because it expresses the muscular, purposeful look that the new range’s flagship should have, but it leaves space for – that is to say, the potential to fit more dramatic/elaborate aerodynamic addenda to – even hotter interpretations of the car, such as upcoming DTM, GTS and CS derivatives.

The origins of this photo, which popped up on the internet in June,are not apparent, but seems like it started onReddit.

Compared with its standard siblings, the M4 is anticipated to have a more sculpted front apron with a pair of large air intakes flanking the aforementioned grille, while vertical brake-cooling ducts sit at the outer ends of the bumper. The black lip spoiler is complemented by similarly-coloured sills (underneath the pinched side skirts), triangular fender gills and, of course, M-specific side mirrors.

Larger, 20-spoke alloys and a lowered suspension give the newcomer that “ready-to-pounce” look, while the minimalist rear bumper is adorned with a diffuser with a quartet of exhaust tips (an M-car’s calling card, if you will) jutting out between the pairs of fins. The boot spoiler is "split in half" and oh-so-subtle.

Picture credit:S. Baldauf/SB-Medien. Photowatermarked at the photographer's request.

Will the finished product closely resemble this rendered car… and, if so, is the execution bold enough for the next iteration of BMW’s most iconic sportscar? Perhaps BMW will hold something back for the hotter derivatives. We eagerly await the reveal of the G82and its G80 sedan sibling next month.BMW M3 (2020) International Prototype Drive

What we do know is that the BMW M4 will be powered by a version of the 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-6 (S58) engine, which will direct 353 kW and 600 Nm to the rear wheels through a 6-speed manual ‘box or 8-speed automatic transmission. The Competition version, on the other hand, will reportedly produce 375 kW,and be available exclusively with M xDrive all-wheel-drive and the auto 'box. We'll bring you official images and specifications as soon as they become available…

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