BMW's X3 & X4 M Competition get a once-over

It’s been roughly two years since the BMW X3 and X4 M Competition models were introduced to the market, the Munich-based carmaker has given the duo a nip-and-tuck for the 2021 model year. 

Scheduled to arrive in Mzansi in the fourth quarter of the year, the X3 M and X4 M Competition models feature revised design cues, tweaked M features, new operating systems, plus uprated oomph. 

The exterior of the X3 M Competition is fitted with full‑LED rear lights with a black surround and narrower illuminated graphics. The lower section of the rear apron is M specific and finished in high-gloss black. 

There is a larger diffuser that is flanked on the right and left by M Sports exhaust pairs finished in black chrome.

On the X4 M Competition, this model is equipped with a new rear apron that is wider. Like the X3 M, the two pairs of tailpipes are finished in black chrome. 

The exterior hues of both models consist of M Carbon Black metallic, M Brooklyn Grey metallic as well as two new paint finishes namely; M Marina Bay Blue metallic and M Sao Paulo Yellow. For the first time, there is a wide range of BMW Individual paint finishes available such as the matt finish Frozen Marina Bay Blue metallic.

Both the X3 M and X4 M Competition models feature the enlarged BMW kidney grille with its one-piece frame as well as headlights that are around 10 mm flatter. As standard, BMW offers adaptive LED headlights with Matrix function, the Laser Light with a range of up to 650m is also available as an optional extra. 

The M specific front apron has been made more aggressive. There are also new, vertically arranged and elongated side air intakes.

The stopping prowess comes courtesy of a standard M compound brake system. The brake callipers feature the M logo and are finished in blue hue as standard, buyers can have them painted in high-gloss black or red on request. 

They both ride on a set of 21-inch wheels shod with mixed tyres; 255/40 ZR21 at the front and 265/40 ZR21 at the rear. One new feature is the M forged wheel 892M Star-Spoke in Jet Black burnished, which saves 2 kg of weight per wheel. As an alternative, the M light-alloy wheel 765M V-Spoke is available in Jet Black burnished.

Inside, the BMW X3 M Competition and the BMW X4 M Competition feature M sports seats with electrically adjustable headrests and illuminated M logo as standard. BMW has extended the Merino leather upholstery in four colour combinations, the BMW Individual extended Merino leather upholstery in Tartufo is also available as an option. 

The air vents boast a new galvanised trim while the interior trims are now finished in dark Rhombicle aluminium as standard. The new open-pore ash variant is available as an option. To further enhance the interior quality, BMW fitted an M leather multifunction steering wheel with contrast stitching in the BMW M colours and an open 6 o'clock spoke.

As standard, the two SUVs lurk the brand’s Live Cockpit Professional including Connected Drive. A Harman Kardon surrounds sound system now comes as standard. There is a fully digital display network that consists of a high-resolution instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and a Control Display that each have a screen diagonal of 12.3 inches.

Offered as an option is the BMW Head-Up Display with M View. 

Under the hood lies a 3.0-litre in-line six turbo charged petrol engine with 375 kW and 650 Nm of torque. The maximum torque figure has been increased by 50 Nm, which then shaves off 0.3 seconds in the time required for the standard sprint from 0 to 100 km/h to 3.8 seconds. 

It keeps accelerating hard up to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h, although buyers can increase the limiter to 285 km/h with the optional M Driver’s Package. 

The engine is paired with an 8-speed M Steptronic transmission that sends power to both axles via the rear-wheel biased M xDrive all-wheel-drive system. There are also new wheel designs similar to those on the M3 and M4 Competition models, which reduce unsprung mass by 2 kg per wheel. 

The S58 in-line 6-cylinder engine in the BMW X3 M Competition and BMW X4 M Competition now features the forged lightweight crankshaft from BMW M3 and M4 models. According to BMW, its extremely torsion-resistant design enables transmission of the particularly high torque, while its low weight and reduced rotating masses also benefit the engine’s revving power. 

Also sourced from the current-gen BMW M3 and M4 models is the newly designed control island on the centre console that includes two new buttons in addition to the specific M gear selector with Drivelogic rocker switch, the BMW Controller and the red engine start button, which is now positioned here.