What's all this about?
BMW is preparing a Competition Package for all three models of the M3 and M4 lines, with the upgrade due out in spring this year.
Is this just another of those styling exercises BMW is fond of?
Hardly. The headline news here is that the CP adds 19hp to the firepower of the M3 Saloon, M4 Coupé and M4 Convertible, leaving us with a nice, neat 450hp maximum output. That trims a tenth of a second off the 0-62mph time of all six versions (both manual and dual-clutch 'DCT' cars). The DCT variants are the quickest - the M3 and the M4 Coupé do the benchmark sprint in just 4.0 seconds, while the Convertible DCT isn't far behind at 4.3 seconds.
Excellent! What else does BMW add?
A host of chassis upgrades. All CP M3 and M4s get Adaptive M Suspension that is calibrated specifically for the more powerful version of the straight-six twin-turbo engine. Furthermore, the Active M Differential and the Dynamic Stability Control are also retuned to cope with the extra grunt, while a sports exhaust system with black chrome tailpipes is said to sound even more intoxicating than the standard car's set-up. Oh, and while they undoubtedly look glorious, those 20-inch forged M alloy wheels on fat tyres promise to offer an extra layer of grippy goodness.
But there must be some styling changes, right?
Naturally, although our favourite thing here also has a benefit for the driver - the M3 Saloon and the M4 Coupé benefit from a gorgeous pair of deep front bucket M Sports seats that will keep you clamped firmly in place during, er, spirited cornering; sadly, the Convertible has to make do without. All three cars have seatbelts with M stripes woven into them and BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line exterior trim, which features on the window surrounds, door mirrors, kidney grilles, side gills and the model badge on the boot.
Does the CP have an effect on economy/emissions?
Not according to BMW. It quotes the same ranges of 32.1- to 34mpg with between 194- and 204g/km CO2 for the four-door and M4 Coupé cars, with the Convertible sitting anywhere between 31- and 32.5mpg with 203- to 213g/km emissions.
How much does all this cost?
No official word from BMW as yet for the UK but we'll let you know as soon as we hear anything.
Matt Robinson - 13 Jan 2016