The BMW M3 and M4 launch had to be one of the most anticipated of the 2020 calendar year, as is usually the case with performance BMWs. However, over the course of the last year or so we’ve been drip-fed info, images and video of what the newcomer would be about. Finally the newest M cars have made their official debut. Good news for SA BMW M fans is that the new models will be launch into the local market in the first half of 2021.
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A new face
Many fans of the brand and auto enthusiasts were left reeling when the BMW 4 Series Coupe made its debut a few months ago. The precursor to the M4 had on the largest set of nostrils ever seen on a BMW passenger car. Many feared that the M4 would have the same appearance, and there was much debate if the sedan-based M3 would have a ‘regular’ nose or share the same. Well, that question has been well and truly answered.
Click here to read about the rarest BMW M3 ever made.
Apart from the massive kidney grilles, which will no doubt be a talking point, both new M cars have a pair of indentations on the leading edge of the bonnet. Other M-specific touches include the sculpted front bumper, alloys, signature vents in the front fenders, a carbon-fibre roof, lower side sills, subtle boot lip and quad exhaust outlets.
Racy inside
From these images we get a glimpse of the new cars digital instrument cluster, restyled steering wheel (with M buttons) and the larger format touchscreen infotainment interface that controls the iDrive system. An M Mode button reduces the intervention thresholds of the electronic nanny. Drivers can choose between road and sport settings as standard. An additional track mode is available with the optional M Drive Professional. Included in this package is a drift analyser, laptimer and M traction control settings). Front occupants are held in place by newly developed M sport seats and fine-grain Merino leather trim.
Power options
As we have reported before power is derived from a twin-turbocharged inline-six (dubbed S58). This is the very same engine that BMW has employed in the X3M and X4M performance SUVs. You can read our X3M Competition driving review at this link. The BMW M3 and M4 will be available in two variants. Opening up the range is a 353 kW version with a six-speed manual gearbox. Claimed performance for both body styles is a 0-100 km/h sprint in 4,2 seconds with a top speed limited to 250 km/h. BMW SA has confirmed that these derivatives will not be sold locally.
Stepping up into the Competition versions brings 373 kW/650 N.m and an eight-speed automatic transmission. From the middle of next year BMW will be offering the latter powertrain mated with an all-wheel-drive system. The rear-wheel drive Competition variants can accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h in 3,9 seconds. Factor in all-wheel-drive and that figure is likely to drop into the low three-second bracket. The AWD version M xDrive links up with Active M Differential to offer a rear-wheel-biased setup. Three selectable modes: 4WD, 4WD Sport with even more RWD bias, and finally a 2WD mode for pure rear‑wheel-drive and a completely deactivated stability control system.
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