BMW has revealed in full its new M3 Saloon and M4 Coupe. The high-performance twins go on sale in the first quarter of 2021, powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre engine and offered with the option of all-wheel drive. The much-hyped BMW M3 Touring estate has yet to be shown.
The good news: 510hp
BMW will manufacture regular and Competition versions of the M3 Saloon and M4 Coupe, and they both get a development of the company's twin-turbocharged straight-six, a 3.0-litre unit. In base spec it makes 480hp and 550Nm of torque, but we're told that only the Competition variants will be sold in Ireland. That means 510hp and a whopping 650Nm of torque, eclipsing the previous-generation BMW M4 CS and M3 CS - and above even the limited-edition M4 GTS. Regardless of body style, the 0-100km/h time is quoted as 3.9 seconds, while the standard speed limiter is set to 250km/h. This can be upped to 290km/h with the M Driver Package.
The bad news: no manual gearbox
Unfortunately, while the 480hp M3 and M4 come with a six-speed manual gearbox, that's not an option on the Competition versions. Instead, there's an eight-speed M Steptronic automatic, this torque convertor design replacing the previous M DCT dual-clutch unit. It retains the three-level Drivelogic adjustment for gearchange smoothness, speed and directness and has a few other new tricks up its sleeves to maximise response and performance.
As standard, the new M3 and M4 will send their power to the rear wheels only, via BMW's Active M differential, an electronically controlled system. However, for the first time in the M3/M4's history, there will be the option to go for all-wheel drive. It's effectively the same M xDrive system used in the current BMW M5 and M8, with rear bias and several driving modes, including 4WD Sport and 2WD. In the latter setting, all power goes to the rear wheels and the electronic driver aids are disabled.
A chassis to match
BMW tells us that the chassis of the M3 and M4 was partly developed alongside its 2022 M4 GT3 race car, with focus on torsional rigidity and response to input. To the updated underpinnings is bolted model-specific suspension components and the Adaptive M suspension. This uses infinitely variable damping via electromagnetically controlled valves in the dampers, with three base levels selectable by the driver (Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus). Meanwhile, there's M Servotronic steering, pairing speed-sensitive power assistance with a variable ratio rack - it is more direct the more the steering wheel is turned. Comfort and Sport modes for the steering alter the calibration for assistance.
The M3 and M4 also receive the integrated brake system with two distinct settings that debuted on the BMW M8. Again, Comfort or Sport mode is chosen by the driver, this time altering the responsiveness of the brakes. M Compound brake discs are standard, 380mm up front clamped by six-piston fixed callipers, 370mm at the back with a single-piston floating calliper. M Carbon ceramic discs (400mm front, 380mm rear) are optional. The latter are painted metallic gold, while the standard items can be had in blue, black or red.
M Drive Professional as standard
A brand-new function not seen on any previous BMW M car is the M Drive Professional system. This has been designed specifically for those that bring their M3 or M4 on track, but it is included as part of the standard equipment. One aspect of it is the M Laptimer, which, as the name suggests, times your laps. It does a lot more though, including comparing the current lap, in real time, with your fastest, and projecting the split onto the head-up display. It keeps track of all your laps and the duration on track. Further in-depth analysis of this and data from the car's own sensors is possible in the BMW M Laptimer app for Apple iPhone.
For those with a disregard for their rear tyres, there's also an M Drift Analyser. This records the angle, line and duration of a drift and gives you a rating. It combines the data with other bits and pieces and can, for example, display the distance covered while sideways. Helping you up your ratings is the new M Traction Control system, which allows adjustment of intervention in ten discrete steps.
Eat-you-for-breakfast design
We realise, of course, that everyone will be talking about the appearance of the new M3 and M4, specifically the new take on the huge radiator grille. It's an extension of that previewed on the regular BMW 4 Series Coupe, though without a frame. Along with that it gets horizontal bars and the model badge. Coupled with the beefier bumpers and wider arches (the M4 Coupe is 40mm wider than the 4 Series Coupe, while the M3 Saloon is a full 75mm wider than the 3 Series Saloon), the cars look seriously mean and aggressive from the front. Incidentally, the M3 Saloon is the first member of the 3 Series family to use this grille layout. Either side are 'Shadowline' darkened LED headlights. Adaptive LED Headlights with BMW Laserlight including BMW Selective Beam non-dazzling high beam assistant are available as the optional Visibility Package.
There's a lot more to the cars than their controversial grilles, including new bonnets, new side gills, extended side sills, brawnier arches, specific door mirrors, a carbon roof, menacing looking rear spoilers, an aerodynamic diffuser at the back and, of course, a quartet of exhaust outlets. There are 19-inch alloys up front wearing 275/35 ZR19 tyres and wider 20-inch rims at the back with 285/30 ZR20 tyres. There are two different wheel designs to choose from, each available in two different colours. Speaking of which, there are new paint colours added to the palette. The most eye-catching are pictured here - Sao Paulo Yellow non-metallic and Isle of Man Green metallic. Toronto Red metallic is also new. Finally, buyers can also opt for an M Carbon exterior package or the M Carbon Package to include that and a set of exquisite M Carbon bucket seats.
High-spec M interior
Not that you'll need them for the interior to feel special. Red is the BMW M accent colour of choice, as usual, and it picks out the M1/M2 driving mode buttons and engine start button. An anthracite-coloured BMW Individual headliner and interior trim strips in Carbon Fibre High-gloss are standard. Fine-grain Merino black leather trim is standard as are M sport seats, which are electrically adjustable and heated. These seats have pronounced side bolsters, integrated head restraints and an illuminated model badge. Carbon gearshift paddles are also standard.
The full BMW Live Cockpit Professional is included, with a 12.3-inch instrumentation screen and 10.25-inch touchscreen, Remote Software Upgrade, the new cloud-based BMW Maps satnav and smartphone integration for Android and Apple phones.
The design of the gear shifter is specific to the M3 and M4 and it's close to a new cluster of buttons for all the driving settings.
All the settings
First up is the M Mode button, which allows Road, Sport and Track levels. It alters the characteristics of the driver assistance systems and the view in the instruments and head-up display. Below that is the Setup button, which opens up a detailed menu on the central screen allowing full customisation of up to seven different powertrain and chassis parameters: engine response, damping, steering, brakes, traction control and, if fitted, M xDrive. Two sets of configurations can be stored and accessed via those M1/M2 buttons on the steering wheel.
Provisionally, the BMW M3 Competition Saloon will cost €121,695 on-the-road in Ireland, while the M4 Competition Coupe will be €123,875.