BMW Unveils New M3 And M4
Look past the new grilles to the maintained manual transmission and increased power output.
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Cue fanfare that can be heard all the way from Munich.
Because today BMW officially pulls the covers off two next-gen M variants in the 2021 M3 sedan and M4 coupe.
Aside from some audible mutterings about the new ‘coffin’ grilles out front, know the, ahem, ‘bold’ feature is proudly paired with wider fenders, a large rear diffuser and four prominent exhaust tips. Deep side skirts have been introduced to match the rear diffuser and the exposed carbon fibre roof (an M-car signature) returns, with the option of a painted steel available should you opt for a sunroof.
Take your mum’s advice and know it’s what on the inside that counts – and here we mean the S58 3.0 litre twin-turbo straight six-cylinder donk (as standard) and which produces 353kW and 550Nm of torque, capable of pulling the cars from 0-100 in 4.1 seconds.
Opt for the Competition versions and feel 375kW and 650Nm of torque for an impressive 3.9 second run to 100km/h.
To the cheers of traditionalist M-car and sportscar enthusiasts generally, both models arrive exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission – the sole manual offering in the segment – while the Competition comes with an eight-speed automatic. Both boast rear-wheel drive as standard, the Competition also offered in all-wheel drive come late 2021.
BMW has provided an upgraded chassis that sees greater bracing, stiffer M suspension, lightweight forged wheels and 15-inch rotors on the front and 14.6-inch on the back for necessary stopping power. Carbon ceramic brakes are another option and there’s new colourways in the Isle of Man Green (pictured on the M3), Sao Paulo Yellow (M4) and a Toronto Red metallic.
There’s also mention of an M Drive Professional package, which has a 10 setting traction control system, a “drift analyser,” which as the name suggests records your drift stats, along with a lap timer – for when you’re not sending it sideways through corners.
Interiors are as expected – slick and sleek with aluminium and carbon fibre details, a 12.3-inch instrument display and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen as standard. Oh, and sportier seats that are either electrically adjustable, ventilated ‘M sport seats’ trimmed in merino leather or M carbon bucket seats.
The 2021 BMW M3 and M4 will land in Australia in the first quarter of next year with all variants to be on offer. Pricing will be announced closer to delivery.
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