EVERYDAY Hero; With the M3 sedan, BMW gives us a new twist on a favorite.(News)

Byline: GREG KABLE

The fourth-generation BMW M3 coupe is a terrific car-a supercar-challenging two-door that packs one of the world's most electrifying production engines and a wonderfully responsive rear-wheel-drive chassis. From effortless high-speed grand touring to challenging back-road charging, it has a mesmerizing depth of performance that few cars can match. As an all-arounder, it has just about every rival licked.

But now comes another M3, this one in sedan form. With four doors and added luggage space, BMW seeks to broaden the already haughty appeal of its enduring performance hero, injecting it with some everyday practicality. Aimed directly at the excellent new Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and Audi RS4, it is the first four-door version of the M3 in almost a decade set to make its way to North America. It is not the only variant we can expect, though. An open-top model featuring the folding-hardtop-roof structure from the 3 Series convertible is also just around the corner, with talk of a wagon debuting sometime around the turn of the decade as BMW looks to take the M3 into prime time.

First, the good news. In creating the sedan, BMW retained the same mechanical package as that of the M3 coupe. As with all M cars through the years, the engine is definitely the highlight: a manic, naturally aspirated, 32-valve, 4.0-liter V8 capable of stretching to 8500 rpm. Running a high 12.0:1 compression ratio and individual throttle valves for each cylinder, it punches out a solid 414 hp at 8300 rpm with 295 lb-ft of torque at 3900 rpm. These are not outrageous outputs but are sufficient to make this car one of the fastest-accelerating four-doors around.

The power is channeled to the rear wheels via a standard six-speed manual gearbox and the BMW M division's terrific M differential. At the moment, this is the only gearbox offered. BMW's old six-speed M- sequential has been relegated to history. However, while the temptation of a traditional manual is great-especially one boasting such a lovely shift action as the M3 sedan's-prospective customers would be well advised to wait until BMW introduces its new six-speed double-clutch gearbox before placing their orders.

You'll recognize the new car by its sleek front end. Rather than simply applying the usual styling addenda-deeper bumpers, wider sills and trunk-mounted spoiler-to the familiar 3 Series sedan, the M division went out of its way to ensure that its latest performance hero stands out from the crowd, giving it ...