2021 BMW M3 and M4 revealed, officially

The new-generation performance sedan and coupé have up to 375 kW and are available manually. However, wear a few controversial bars

• 2021 BMW M3 and BMW M4 officially presented, last but not least
• 3.0 liters Twin turbo inline six available in 353 kW / 550 Nm 'base' or 375 kW / 650 Nm Competition forms
• The six-speed manual transmission continues An eight-speed car is also available for the new generation
• The M Drive Professional software system offers a lap timer, 10 mode traction control and drift settings
• High coffin lattice between M3 and M4

That's it. BMW M. pulled the wraps from 2021 M3 sedan and M4 coupe, the highly anticipated new generation challengers for the Audi RS4 / RS5, the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and the Mercedes-AMG C63.

Probably the most polarizing style element of the new M3 and M4 are their grilles.

The pair of nostrils shared between the sedan and the coupe (and, over time, the M4 convertible and M3 touring car) has a horizontal bar pattern and is flanked by low-set air intakes and laser headlights shared with the 4-series coupe.

Slim, vertical vents on the edges of the bumper duct direct air into two radiators mounted in the wheel arches. There are also forged 19-inch alloy wheels at the front and 20-inch rear wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super 275/35 at the front and 285/30 at the rear.

Headline changes include aggressive black side skirts, M-specific double arm mirrors, body lines with hockey sticks, and flared wheel arches front and rear.

At the rear, a four-point sports exhaust system is the standout feature that complements a black rear diffuser.

Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) in the roof and the subtle rear lip spoiler of the competition models. Buyers looking for an even more thorough carbon fiber treatment can opt for the M Carbon Package or choose from a range of optional M Performance Parts.

New to the exterior color palette are Isle of Man Green Metallic (shown on the M3), Sao Paulo Yellow (shown on the starting spec M4) and Toronto Red Metallic.

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Powertrain

Under the bonnet of the M3 and M4 is a 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with two turbochargers that is shared with the X3 M and X4 M soaring SUVs. Compared to the outgoing M3 / M4 duo 'S55' Turbo-Six, the 'S58' engine of the new car is completely new and has direct injection (operation at 350 bar pressure) and a 'flow-optimized air intake system'.

In the basic version, the M-specific grinder develops an output of 353 kW (at 6250 rpm) and a torque of 550 Nm (from 2650 to 6130 rpm) - 50 Nm less than the standard X3 M not available in Australia and X4 M.

Starting cars only feed the drive via a six-speed manual gearbox with speed adjustment to the rear wheels. An eight-speed automatic torque converter should likely (though not officially confirmed) be offered at a later date.

BMW claims a sprint time of 0 to 100 km / h for M3 and M4 models in the entry-level class of 4.1 seconds and a speed of 0 to 200 km / h in 13.7 seconds.

Buyers who want more grunts can opt for the top-of-the-line competition model, the 375 kW (at 6250 rpm) and 650 Nm (from 2750 to 5500 rpm) from the same S58 with six to 50 Nm more than the corresponding one X3 M and X4 M competition extracted. Redline arrives at 7200 RPM.

With the performance of the competition, the performance twins of BMW M can be put on an equal footing with their main competitors, namely the Mercedes-AMG C63 S with 375 kW / 700 Nm and 4.0 liter V8 and the 2.9 liter V6 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio with 375 kW / 600 Nm.

The drive is transmitted to the rear wheels exclusively via the same eight-speed car, enabling 0-100 km / h and 0-200 km / h times of 3.9 seconds and 12.5 seconds, respectively.

No maximum speed figures have been announced, but figures similar or better than the electronically limited 250 km / h standards and the optional top speeds of 280 to 285 km / h offered by the larger Duo X3 M and X4 M are expected.

BMW Australia will offer “all variants” of the new M3 and M4 Down Under, including standard and competitive models as well as manual and automatic transmission options.Click on any of the photos in this story to view our full gallery

All-wheel drive versions of the M3 and M4 competition - with a switchable M xDrive system similar to the larger M5 and M8, with 4WD, 4WD sport and 2WD modes, the latter deactivating stability control and ...