What's all this about?
BMW has revealed the all-new M3 and M4 models, which will be sold in Competition guise. This means they use the twin-turbo, straight-six engine from either of the X3 or X4 M SUVs, culminating in 510hp and 650Nm. Figures good enough to place the new performance cars ahead of extreme examples of their predecessors, such as the M3 CS, the M4 CS and even the mighty M4 GTS. Even better news is that there'll be an M3 Touring this time around, for the first time in the history of the exalted 'M3' nameplate.
They're, er... they're not pretty, though, are they?
No, they aren't. Next question.
What, that's all you're prepared to say on the matter?
NEXT QUESTION!!
OK, I can see you're triggered. Can you go into the mechanical specs in more detail?
While there will be 'regular' 480hp/550Nm examples of the M3 and M4 in other markets, it's likely that BMW UK will adopt its current portfolio-wide tactic of only selling the Competition-spec M here, as with the M5, M8 and both the X5 M and X6 M. That powerful biturbo motor will punch them from 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds and on to a limited 155mph, which can be hiked up to 180mph with the M Driver's Package.
Sigh. That 0-62mph time makes me think they're both xDrive. Amirite?!
Wrong. While xDrive AWD versions of both M3 and M4 will arrive in 2021 - bringing with it the tantalising possibility of a BMW M3 Touring xDrive, surely the car to do everything? - at first the new Competition twins will be rear-driven. Hence the smoky oversteer shots in our picture gallery. There is some bad news, though, as they will no longer be available with a manual 'box. That is possible on the 480hp versions, which gain a six-speed H-gate affair, but as we've already said we're not likely to be getting those here. And the 510hp models have to be fitted with the M Steptronic eight-speed automatic transmission. It's not even a dual-clutch unit, either, instead being a trad torque-converter set-up.
However, power and torque flows to the rear axle via BMW's electronically controlled Active M Differential, while the chassis underpinning the M3 and M4 twins was apparently developed in conjunction with the Bavarian company's 2022 M4 GT3 competition vehicle. Expect Adaptive M Suspension with three-stage damping, M Servotronic steering with speed-sensitive power assistance and a variable ratio rack, and the powerful, two-stage integrated brake system first seen on the M8. These stoppers have M Compound discs as standard, measuring 380mm at the nose and 370mm at the rear, the former gripped by six-piston fixed callipers and the latter by single-piston floating shoes. M Carbon Ceramic discs are an option and are enlarged to 400mm front, 380mm rear, with gold callipers to denote their special status.
On top of all of this, there's the M Drive Professional system, which includes a BMW M Laptimer and also M Drift Analyser, as well as the ten-step M Traction Control system and 19-inch front, 20-inch rear alloy wheels as standard. All sounds very serious indeed.
The interior looks nice...
Yes, big, sporty seats, the M1 and M2 mode driving buttons, red accents and carbon-fibre trim as standard. Nothing wrong with the cabin of the M3 and M4 Competition, nosiree.
But you're really not going to talk about the looks?
No, we are not. Harrumph.
All right, we'll say one thing. There are some new colours for the M3 and M4, including Toronto Red metallic and then the two you can see in the pictures - Isle of Man Green metallic for the M3 and Sao Paulo Yellow non-metallic for the M4. And that's as far as we are prepared to go on the aesthetics.
I feel somewhat short-changed.
Tough.
Matt Robinson - 22 Sep 2020