New BMW M3 and M4 here early next year

BMW has finally lifted the thin veil of secrecy around its new BMW M3 and M4, after the next-generation mid-size super-sedan and coupe were unceremoniously leaked yesterday.

And the good news is BMW Australia has confirmed the rear-wheel drive performance cars will arrive in local showrooms in the first quarter of next year, in both standard manual and higher-output Competition automatic forms, followed by an all-wheel drive option for the latter in late 2021.

Based on our 2019 carsales Car of the Year, the seventh-generation BMW 3 Series sedan, and the new BMW 4 Series Coupe due to arrive here next month, the 2021 BMW M3 and M4 are punctuated by an M-specific version of the latest 4 Series’ extra-large BMW kidney grille, which is divided by a body-coloured vertical bar and features black horizontal bars.

Behind the polarising new front-end design, however, lurks a further development of the new S58 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight petrol six that debuted in the BMW X3 M and X4 M, producing 353kW of power and 550Nm of torque as standard.

Competition-spec models, meantime, up the ante to 375kW and 650Nm – matching the X3 and X4 M Competition models for peak power and upping max torque by 50Nm.

In Australia, the standard engine will be matched only with rear-drive and a six-speed manual in both the entry-level M3 and M4, which are claimed to hit 100km/h in 4.2 seconds.

High-output BMW M3 and M4 Competition models will initially be available in rear-drive auto-only form, dropping the 0-100km/h sprint time to just 3.9sec, but will be followed in late 2021 by an xDrive AWD option for the first time, joining rivals like the Audi RS 5.

That will bring to six the number of full-time M3 and M4 variants – the most ever – although local and pricing and specs are yet to be announced for any of them, let alone the subsequent M4 Convertible (due mid-2021) and the first M3 Touring (2022), or the M3 CS and M4 GTS specials that will inevitably follow.

Here’s the 2021 BMW M3/M4 launch line-up in its simplest form.

So while the M3 and M4 continue to be the only models in their class available with a manual transmission, there won’t be a Competition model with a manual gearbox (because it’s limited to 550Nm), nor an AWD manual nor an entry-level auto – though that could be added later, as could cheaper ‘Pure’ variants.

The M3/M4’s first automatic transmission is the eight-speed M Steptronic torque-converter auto with Drivelogic, as seen in the M5, M8 and X3, X4, X5 and X6 Ms, replacing the current seven-speed dual-clutch auto.

Of course, BMW M says the new M3 and M4 benefited from dynamic development and tuning alongside the M4 GT3 race car, and its high-revving M TwinPower Turbo engine – which revs to 7200rpm – brings two turbos with indirect charge air cooling, a flow-optimised air intake system and direct petrol injection with 350 bar of maximum pressure.

There are also bespoke cooling, lubrication and exhaust systems, with a central cooling module aided by two remote high-temperature radiators in the wheel-arches, an additional engine oil cooler and separate transmission oil cooler for Competition models, and two separate chambers and an integrated suction channel in the engine’s oil sump.

The standard M3/M4 engine makes 353kW at 6250rpm and 550Nm over a broad 2650-6130rpm, while the Competition-spec version employs different software to develop 375kW at the same revs and 650Nm over a narrower 2750-5500rpm. The latter eclipses the highest-output version of the old M4, the 372kW/600Nm GTS, for both power and torque.

The manual transmission, which is 25kg lighter than the auto, features an auto throttle-blipping function (Gear Shift Assistant), and manual shifting in auto models is via shift paddles on the three-spoke M steering wheel or the M-specific gear lever with three-stage Drivelogic button.

BMW says the M3/M4’s first (optional) AWD system sends torque to an Active M Differential at the rear in normal conditions, and drivers have the choice of 4WD and 4WD Sport modes, the latter sending more power rearward during hard cornering. There’s also 2WD ‘fun mode’, which is accessed by disabling the DSC stability control.

No fuel consumption figures have been revealed, but the new M3 and M4 are about 160kg heavier than their predecessors, in part because of the larger sedan and coupe models on which they’re based, says BMW.

In chassis terms, compared to the G20 3 Series, the G80 M3 and G82 M4 add under-bonnet and under-floor bracing, a front axle subframe with aluminium shear panel and a rigid-mounted rear axle subframe.

There’s also adaptive M suspension with electronically-controlled dampers and M-specific geometry and bushings, variable-ratio M Servotronic steering and an upgraded braking system with two-stage response and pedal feel settings from the M8.

Along with an improved M Dynamic Mode that “opens the door to a particularly sporty driving experience, complete with controlled drifting ability”, there’s a new M Drive Professional system for track driving, comprising 10-stage M Traction Control, M Laptimer and M Drift Analyser, which records and rates sideways action.

The 2021 BMW M3 and M4 both ride on staggered wheel diameters – 19-inch up front and 20-inch at the rear – with 275/35 ZR19 and 285/30 ZR20 tyres respectively.

They also both adopt the ‘big-mouth’ grille first seen on the new 4 Series Coupe, but with black horizontal bars and a central body-coloured vertical bar punctuating a beefier front bumper with larger air intakes and standard BMW Laserlight high-beam headlights.

Other cosmetic upgrades include bolder wheel-arches with front side gills, bolder side skirts, a rear spoiler and a chunkier rear bumper with quad exhaust outlets.

Both the sedan and coupe come standard with a carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof, contrasting with exclusive new paint colours including Toronto Red metallic, Isle of Man Green metallic and Sao Paulo Yellow non-metallic.

Options from launch will include a no-cost steel roof with sunroof, an M Carbon exterior package, a host of model-specific BMW M Performance Parts, remote engine start and, for the first time, Active seat ventilation and lightweight, race harness-compatible M Carbon bucket seats with integrated head restraints.

Also inside, there are new, power-adjustable M sport seats, Merino leather trim, Driving Assistant Professional including Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Active Cruise Control, Cross Traffic Warning for front and rear, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Change Warning.

Also standard is Parking Assistant Plus with Parking Assistance, Surround View and Reversing Assistant, the BMW Head-Up Display with M-specific content, Speed Limit Info road sign detection, Comfort Access System keyless entry, three-zone automatic climate control, LED interior ambient lighting and 16-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound.

Rounding out the standard infotainment package is BMW Live Cockpit Professional with digital instrument cluster, BMW Maps cloud-based navigation, BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring.