BMW M3 & M4 Competition officially break cover

There they are folks! The official images of the new G80 BMW M3 Sedan and its two-door sibling, the G82 M4 Coupe in their full glory and we have all the technical details of the latest Bavarian high-performance duo. That 4 Series inspired snout seems to no longer be the bone of contention or is it the fact that we have become familiar with it? Whatever the reason, both the latest M3 and M4 spot the said nose albeit in full M trim and, from the images at least, it looks less offensive than anticipated. 

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DESIGN 

Styling wise, both vehicles are modelled from their respective Series cars, but of course being the sportiest models of the range, the full M variants are decked out in the most aggressive body work and particularly pumped up flanks to house equally large diameter wheels. You also get a more sculpted front valance, an embossed bonnet - instead of the power bulge of yore - side sills and, at the back, there is a more aggressive carbon diffuser that is home to the signature quad exhaust system – each measuring 10 mm in diameter. 

Both models come standard with a carbon fibre roof, which include two fins running longitudinal along it to provide better aerodynamic flow, but also look the part. Signature M mirrors and side gills can be finished in full carbon fibre as part of the Carbon Package trim, which extends to the front and rear splitters. There are forged M 18-inch alloy wheels up front and 19-inch at the rear as standard fitment. Slipping inside the cabin, there are M emblazoned seats and a host of M specific items such as the tiller with its M mode buttons, door sills and M gear lever flanked by a bevy of M mode configuring buttons. There are also optional full carbon fibre shelled seats that are said to save about 25 kg compared to the standard seats and are, for the first time, electrically adjustable and feature a three-point harness setup should you be so inclined.  

DERIVATIVES DESTINED FOR MZANSI

Mzansi bound models will only be the M3 and M4 Competition variants, which means the more powerful 3-litre inline twin-turbo engine with 375 kW and 650 Nm driving all wheels (for the first time in both M3 and M4) via the M xDrive all-wheel drive system. These will be paired exclusively with an 8-speed M Steptronic automatic gearbox (ZF sourced), which means no more dual clutch transmissions for this duo as was the case with the previous models. 

PERFORMANCE STATS

Stats wise, the 0-100 km/h is said to be dispatched in 3.9 seconds, while top speed is governed at 250 km/h. However, you can handover a few Randelas to BMW and they will happily lift that terminal speed to 290 km/h. Dynamically, the model comes fitted with the M adaptive suspension and M brakes that are finished in either signature Blue calipers or you can opt for Black, while the carbon ceramics items come in the Golden finish. As is the case in the new M8 Competition, the brake by wire system in the M3 and M4 Competition offers two brake pedal stiffness modes depending on preference. 

DYNAMICS

For even more heightened dynamics, further measures have been bestowed upon the M duo. These include an extremely stiff body structure and chassis mounting thanks to measures including model-specific bracing elements for the engine compartment, a front axle subframe with aluminium shear panel, underfloor bracing elements and a rear axle subframe with a rigid connection to the body. All these conspire to give the models the most focussed and keen driver centric feedback. 

Thanks to M xDrive like that fitted to the M5 and M8 Competition models, it comes with three dynamically varying modes; 4WD, 4WD Sport, and 2WD. The latter decouples the front axle and completely neuters the DSC and traction control, rendering the M3 and M4 free to do skids and drifts to the driver’s content. Speaking of drifts, the models also come with a 10-stage M traction control system that lets you configure the degree of the traction control intervention. 

Another new, debutant is M Drive Professional (including M Drift Analyser, M Laptimer and M Traction Control), for a particularly intense performance experience on the racetrack. 

M PERFORMANCE PARTS 

Available from launch, both models can be specified with a host of M Performance Parts for even further individualisation. These include carbon finished front splitters, side vents and sills and even a boot deck spoiler, while the diffuser houses an individually stacked quad exhaust system setup. 

WHEN IS IT LANDING IN MZANSI?

According to BMW SA, the M3 and M4 Competition models will be available in our market in the first half of 2021 when pricing will be confirmed closer to the time. Polarising styling aside, we sincerely hope that the duo delivers handsomely where it matters most – on the performance front. TopGear Magazine SA will, of course, bring you its verdict of the duo once sampled. For now, however, we await their arrival with bated breath.