Torque comes from displacement. The RS4 engine has a bigger displacement.
I wonder what the compression ratio of the RS4 V8 is?

Why the new V8 makes 420 hp like the RS4? It doesn't sound like a coincidence to me.

I 'm glad that the competition has forced BMW to pump every last drop of power and torque out of this engine.

I remember when Audi gave the S4 V8 344hp when the M3 had 343hp. I just wish BMW gave the new M3 V8 engine 421hp

Exactly. Just because you can mod a car to beat a ferrari...don't mean you have a ferrari. simple.

edit: The 335i doesn't even have a LSD...that's a bummer.

Initially i was dissapointed with the M3's output however now I like the fact that the new M3 isnt upping the power war. BMW already mentioned that the 335i only had 300hp compared to the IS350's 306 because they were fed up with the numbers game. Its silly if we think about it. What BMW and everyone else needs to do is combine efficiency with power. The M5 only gets 14 mpg avg. THats rediculous and i think BMW realizes that. Effiency plus performance is the future. We'll see how this m3 does in terms of MPG..

Im sorry but i beg to differ on your opinion about ///M cars not being modded. The American market is one of the Major aftermarket accessory hubs for BMW's. They are way too many modded BMW's in the A
Hermerican region and its a growing phase all around the world as its human nature to always try and be unique (therefore mod).

There are several ppl on E46 fanatics who are simply doing ECU remaps on their 335s and eliminating E46 M3s and E39 M5's.

i agree with you totally about the 335 not being an ///M car (no lsd, sport suspension,bucket seats,agressive looks) but those can all be neglected after looking at the 'bang for your buck' value and power of the 335.

Just thought id share a sweetly modded 335 with you:

You are right. They should had stated 421 hp. That would had teached Audi not to mess with horsepower numbers.

While I agree with you for the most part. What bugs me is the modded 335i you mentioned who are beating m3 and such. On the road in a straight line yes, but are they beating them on the track? Nope. The m3 isn't a straight line beast, go race a CTS-V if you want that type of rush...now you want some twisties fun then bring on the ///M.

While I love the 335, the 335 is a dumbed down m3 for the masses. The actual M3 is an enthusiasts car, simple as that. There is no substitution for the M3 in the BMW range.

Why 420HP ....

BMW despise Audi (VAG exactly) And vice versa ... It's not a secret.
There has been a silent war going on between VAG & BMW for years now.

So ...

BMW want to prove this with 420HP: same number, but such a difference at the same time.

Both M3 & RS4 have 420HP, yet BMW want to demonstrate it's not all about pure numbers only. Just wait till September.

Sometimes is 420HP > 420HP

Plus the RS4 will be heavier than the M3 .

420BHP is official but I have see it at 426 BHP aswell just as the M5 and M6 can hit it a fraction higher than claimed.

As I said previously BMW-M will be the pinnacle of "Efficient Dynamics"
The new BMW M3 begins this exciting era of combining lightweight materials with greater efficiency .