35 years ago BMW blessed the world with its original E30 M3. The idea was simple, modify their small 3-Series with a higher output engine and some other go fast goodies in the bodywork, suspension, etc then sell 5000 of them to the general public so BMW could go race Group A in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaf touring car series. What they ended up doing was creating an automotive icon and one of my all time favorite sports sedans.
Fast forward to today and BMW has just unveiled the 6th generation of their famous M3 sports sedan and 2nd generation of their M4 sports coupe as a 2021 model. For those of you not in the know on BMW history, in 2013 BMW split out the 3-Series coupe and convertible as the 4-Series while leaving the sedan and wagon with the 3-Series title hence only the 2nd generation of the M4. Ok, car nerd moment over, let's take a look at 5 things to know on the new M3 and M4.
Multiple Engine Outputs
The heart of any performance car is the engine and we've already seen this one. The S58 3.0 L inline-six engine has already been running around the USA under the hoods of the X3 M and the X4 M. As with most new performance engines, or any engine our of German lately it seems, it is turbo charged. Output is dictated by the size of your wallet. The base output comes in at 473 horsepower (hp) allowing a 0-60 sprint in 4.1 seconds but if you quarterly bonus comes in and you spring for the Competition model that output bumps up to 503 hp dropping the 0-60 to 3.8 seconds. That means you save 0.3 seconds per acceleration run for just $1900. Top speed is limited to 155 mph, but just like those apps on your phone that charge you for more features you can tick the option box for the M Driver's Package to raise the limit to 180 mph. I still remember when you could buy a German uber sedan/wagon and for the most part get all the performance at the introductory price. Good times.
Torque is a different story. Depending on the tune in the base model you will be looking at 406 lb-ft available at around 2650 rpm holding flat all the way up to 6130 rpm. Competition models come with a larger gut punch of 479 lb-ft from 2750 rpm to 5500 rpm. Both engine tunes rev to a redline of 7200 rpm. Isn't computer controlled engine management the best?
You Can Get a Manual
That's right, an honest to goodness row your own gears 6 speed manual will still be offered. It will even rev match for you though if you are a true purist somewhere buried in the infotainment system is an option to disable this feature so you can heel toe to your heart's content. Not only that, BMW is somewhat breaking current trends and still offering rear wheel drive in their performance car! I'd stand to applaud you BMW but working from home due to Corona Virus only my dogs would hear.
Now we need to address two "exceptions" here. If you drop the extra dough on the Competition model you will lose the stick in favor of an 8-speed slush box. Good news though, that 8-speed is ZF's tried and true 8-speed automatic. This transmission does offer paddles for a manual mode if you are so inclined. Not only that, BMW has given you six, that's right, six selectable transmission modes in total (3 automatic and 3 manual) to alter this transmission's behavior and performance. You can even option a Carbon Fiber interior pack on the Competition model that adds Carbon paddle shifters with a cool red color along the backing you will never see (pictured above). The 8-speed is optional on the base model.
One last drivetrain note. This will be the first M3/M4 available with All Wheel Drive, specifically the same system used in the M5. Optional on Competition models only, the system sends the majority of its power to the rear wheels and can be altered based on other performance settings. The system will analysis traction needs and distribute power accordingly through an active differential. Like the system in the M5, it has a rear drive only mode that can only be accessed by turning off all the stability and tractions systems allowing the driver to spin out into a light pole when hooning out of a Cars and Coffee.
The Design
Look, overall I think these cars look good, and I want to reserve final judgement until I see one in person but we have to talk about the grill. BMW has been increasing the size of their signature kidney grills for the last couple years and I am not so sure it works here. From the front this thing looks like an angry rabbit. Now, BMW says this grill is fully functional providing engine cooling and airflow over the oil and transmission coolers(Competition Model) so my initial opinion is this is completely form over function. Given the rest of the design I can live with that I guess. Look, I get that the grill can give a car presence but enlarging the trademark "Kidney Grills" is just giving BMW's nostrils/buck teeth. I am not a fan for the most part. Can we just go back to the smaller kidneys and do larger horizontal grills along the bottom of the front facia? Rounding out the front end we see a wider more aggressive chin and as with all BMW's their signature LED daytime running lights
Around back we find real exhaust tips and nicely integrated rear diffuser. The LED taillights have a clean design and the trunk is topped with a subtle spoiler. If you have the money the outside trim pieces can be had in Carbon Fiber. The roof is Carbon Fiber to keep the weight low and down the side more sporty side skirts and wider fenders complete the look. It all is fine.
Wheels are staggered with rims and tires running 18 inch rims up front with 275 width tires and 19 inch rims in the rear with 285 width tires. The Competition pack ups the rims to 19's and 20's respectively while tire width stays the same. Basically, get ready to spend a lot of money on rubber. To sum up the design, I miss the older sleeper designs of M, RS and AMG cars such as the E39 M5 but if you are wanting an aggressive eye catching vehicle the M3 and M4 succeed. Oh, and I do love that green.
Inside, well inside the M3/M4 look like any other BMW or M car. If the material quality matches any other BMW of late you will find contrasting Merino leather, real metal trim(or optional Carbon Fiber), and high quality plastics all screwed together with a vault like fit and finish. You will find M specific colors available along with BMW's typical M Sport steering wheel and M Sport seats (with illuminated M3/M4 logos even!). Elsewhere around the cabin, its basically a 3 or 4 Series so that means the normal BMW iDrive controls, drive mode switches, and digital gages though there is an M View specific dial configuration in certain drive modes. All good stuff. Oh, and I have to mention the optional M Carbon buck seats which can be had in this awesome blue and yellow color scheme (see below). Get those.
Technology
As with most German sports sedans available today the M3 and M4 come with a plethora of technology. The optional M Drive Professional provides a large amount of performance data and telematics such as lap times and drift angles though the car's sensors and infotainment to help the driver improve on the track. This package also brings with it the M Traction Control giving the driver 10, that's right one zero, traction control settings to dial in the exact amount of wheel slip they want. Pair this customization to the multiple setup options for the engine, electronically controlled variable ratio steering and braking system, and adjustable suspension dampers all allowing the driver to set up the car to their liking for any situation. These settings can also be saved to the two M Sport buttons on the steering wheel for quicker changes on the fly. Overall, seems a lot to think about and mess with when driving something this fast.
Stepping away from the performance tech and you will find your typical BMW technology suite including iDrive 7, cloud based navigation, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a host of safety systems.
The Price
Prices will start at $69,900 for the M3 Sedan and $71,800 for the M4 Coupe. That does not include destination. Competition models start at $72,800 for the M3 Competition and $74,700 for the M4 Competition; a modest $2900 increase over the base model. That base price gets you a good amount of standard kit including heated seats, radar cruise control, and handful of mostly passive safety systems, and automatic climate. After that you can play the options game with a few packages and a handful of standalone options. Things like laser headlights (obviously don't stare directly at them), more active safety systems, cooled seats, and a heated steering wheel are available. As far as performance goodies go, M Carbon-Ceramic Brakes are optional along with that M Drive Professional and M Driver's Package I mentioned earlier. From there its your standard interior and exterior trim packages that can deck your ride out in black or Carbon Fiber trim pieces.
The new M3 and M4 will be available in early 2021 with AWD models coming later that summer. If you are considering a purchase of the angry rabbit you'd do well to also take a look at the Audi RS5 Coupe and Sportback(or for you lucky European customers the RS4 Avant) along with Mercedes C63 AMG models.
Until then, BMW if you are reading this, here is hoping we get a chance to drive either at some point next year! Oh, and if you buy one please get it in green.
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