M Performance Confirms all Details on New BMW M3 & M4 Twins
3.8 second 0-60 for M3 and M4 Competition
BMW claims 0.2 second and 0.1 second improvements to 4.1 second 0-60 mph times for the regular cars. Competition models get to 60 in 3.8 seconds to match the old M3 CS and M4 CS. Top speed is limited to 155 mph. You can up that to 180 mph by ticking the driver’s package box that also adds Z-rated tires.
Unusually in an ever more automated world, the standard models will continue with a six-speed manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive and an electronically controlled Active M differential. Competition models meanwhile ditch the old seven-speed dual-clutch for a new BMW M’s Drivelogic programmed eight-speed torque converter slushbox.
Fully variable M xDrive all-wheel drive a first for M3 and M4
Competition models also get BMW’s fully variable M xDrive all-wheel drive for the first time. As in big brother M5, the new AWD has three 4WD, 4WD Sport and, with the Dynamic Stability Control system deactivated, a 2WD driving mode. 2WD disengages the front differential for pure rear wheel drive on demand.
Both cars get aluminum-rich adaptive damping control double-wishbone front and five-link rear suspension. It is tuned with aggressive geometry, unique suspension kinematics and individual spring and damper rates for sharper, tauter handling. Substantial engine bay and front suspension bracing, and a subframe bolted directly to the rear body, boost the overall body rigidity.
1.33 inch and 1.5″ wider front and rear tracks substantially increase both new cars’ footprints. Both also get M Servotronic variable ratio steering. M-specific BMW Integrated Braking now offers two different brake response and pedal feel setting. M3 and M4 run on 18-inch front and 19-inch rear forged alloy wheels get 275/40 and 285/35-profile tires respectively.
Like its 3-Series siblings the M3 grows 4.2 inches longer than its predecessor to 189.1 inches. It’s also 1 inches wider at 74.3 inches and 0.3 inches taller at 56.4 inches. The M4 is also 4.2 inches longer, 0,7 inches wider at 74.3 inches and 0.03 inches taller at 44.8 inches. Both sit on a 1.7-inch stretched 112.5 inch wheelbase.