M TO THE POWER OF 4 (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_bmwm4competition_2021

By Jonathan Crouch

BMW's improved M4 Competition Coupe carries an illustrious badge but that doesn't appear too big a burden for this 530hp powerhouse. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 80

This second generation BMW M4 Competition is one of the last combustion engine BMW M models of its kind, so it'd better be good. This updated version of the G82 model, which we look at here in Coupe form, ups the ante in a number of regards. It's quicker, more responsive and a little better looking than the original and offers more equipment. AWD is now mandatory and as usual with an M4, one thing's guaranteed: a proper driving experience.

Backgroundword count: 150

If you're seriously interested in this model, then you'll probably be well aware that its heritage lies in an unbroken line of M3 coupe models dating all the way back to 1985. The M4 badge dates back to 2014 when BMW separated out the coupe versions of its 3 Series model with a '4 Series' designation. That first M4, the 'F82'-series design, swapped the previous 'E90' M3 Coupe's thirsty high-revving 4.0-litre V8 for a 3.0-litre twin turbo straight six, a format that continues on here though, inevitably, with a little more power. In 'G82'-series form, the M4 (only offered in our market in this top 'Competition'-spec form) has evolved from hairy-chested racer to cultured street supercar. It's a matured, though still magnificent prospect. Does that make it fit to wear this famous badge? One that evokes a rich history of competition, tyre smoke and unremitting motorsport development. Let's find out.

Driving Experienceword count: 263

There are a few engineering headlines with this revised G82 model. First, you can no longer have it in rear-driven form - but most customers want the xDrive version anyway. Second, BMW's S58-era twin turbo 3.0-litre straight six gains 20bhp - up to 530hp. That's for the M4 Competition variant, which as before is the only M4 variant our market will get. Peak power is now delivered at higher revs - 6,250rpm, rather than 5,600rpm. Torque is still rated at a prodigious 650Nm, but is held for an extra 230rpm. The performance figures look little different, with 62mph from rest taking 3.5s en route to a limited top speed of 155mph (mainly to give BMW an opportunity to sell an optional 'Drivers Package' which lifts it to 180mph in combination with Z-rated tyres). The UK still doesn't get the manual gearbox option you can have in Europe. So as before, the M4 Competition has to be had with a paddleshift 8-speed torque converter automatic with M Drivelogic software. The standard AWD system certainly makes this BMW more seasonably usable; it offers three driving modes - '4WD', '4WD Sport' and (with the Dynamic Stability Control system disabled) '2WD', in which form most of the torque goes to the rear. Three characteristic maps are available via the M Setup menu for individual adjustments of the Adaptive M suspension, which comes as standard. Further components of the suspension technology include M Servotronic steering and the integrated braking system, which is utilised in conjunction both with the standard M compound brakes and the optional M carbon-ceramic brakes.

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