Surprise! BMW Releases M Competition Models for X3 & X4
Eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic and three shift modes
The new, high-performance S58 engine is linked up with the latest version of the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. As well as fully automated gear changes, the M Steptronic also enables manual shifts with sequential gear selection via either the gear selector lever or steering wheel-mounted shift paddles. The M Steptronic delivers instantaneous response and lightning-fast gear changes.
The driver can use the gear selector’s Drivelogic switch to adjust the transmission’s shift characteristics in both automatic and manual modes. Drivelogic mode 1 aids relaxed driving with smooth gear changes, while switching to mode 2 increases the sport factor with shorter shift times. The third mode makes gear changes even faster and sharper. Here, the transmission holds the engine in its upper rev range, helping the driver to push the dynamic envelope and maximize the powertrain’s performance on the track.
M xDrive all-wheel drive: maximum traction, rear-wheel-biased set-up
The new M xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system plays a very important part in giving the first-ever BMW X3 M, BMW X4 M and Competition models their wide-ranging performance capabilities. The system blends the traction-related benefits of sending power to all four wheels with the proven dynamic qualities of classical rear-wheel drive. The electronically controlled M xDrive, which works in tandem with the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system, only sends power to the front wheels when the rear wheels reach the limits of their traction.
As well as modifying the responses of the DSC system, drivers can adjust the distribution of power between the front and rear wheels at the touch of a button. M Dynamic Mode – which can be activated as an alternative to the standard DSC setting – gives the driver access to the M xDrive 4WD Sport option. This sends even more power to the rear wheels, enabling controlled drifts for example. DSC Off mode (with DSC deactivated), meanwhile, has been optimized for dynamic track driving situations and can be combined with the standard all-wheel-drive setting 4WD or with 4WD Sport mode.
The centrally-controlled interaction between M xDrive and the rear Active M Differential is responsible for channeling the engine’s immense output through the car’s wheels with as little en route loss of power as possible. Torque is distributed between the front and rear wheels seamlessly by means of the transfer case’s electronically controlled multi-plate clutch, before the Active M Differential varies the rear lockup between 0 and 100%, as the situation demands. This ensures enhanced traction, agility and directional stability, especially when the car is being driven in a very sporty manner or on roads with differing levels of grip. All of which means stabilizing interventions by the DSC system are only necessary in extreme situations.
Chassis developed for everyday comfort and class leading handling
The combination of agility and precision, for which BMW M cars are renowned, is built upon sophisticated, model-specific chassis technology carefully tuned to match the engine’s high power and to the capabilities of the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system. This gives both the BMW X3 M and BMW X4 M and their Competition siblings handling capabilities that eclipse their rivals.
Their outstanding levels of performance in terms of straight-line and lateral acceleration, handling and stopping power are complemented by excellent directional stability, neutral steering behavior and comfort-enhancing characteristics that lend themselves to all types of driving conditions. The finely orchestrated blend of the engine’s power, the transmission and M xDrive system, the chassis’ set-up and the body’s attributes have been honed in exhaustive testing at venues including the BMW Group’s test track in Miramas, southern France and the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit.
Far-reaching measures for strengthening the body and suspension mounting points have a beneficial effect on steering precision and response. The first-ever BMW X3 M, BMW X4 M and Competition models all come with an M-specific bracing package at the front end, whose key element is a high-precision strut brace in the engine compartment that links the shock towers. In August 2019, an exceptionally light, extremely strong high-precision strut brace made from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) is set to join the options list as an alternative to the standard item. In addition, an A-strut has been incorporated into the front section near the firewall, with two further struts increasing stiffness between the shock towers and the front of the car. The body’s torsional stiffness is further enhanced by a large rear brace and model-specific rear axle control arms.
Unmistakable BMW M driving qualities
An array of M-specific details and the precision tuning of the chassis have helped to imbue the Sports Activity Vehicle and Sports Activity Coupe with their performance-focused character. Both the double-joint spring strut front suspension and five-link rear suspension feature model-specific bushings that help to deliver precise wheel location and directional stability.
The results of the countless hours of tireless development and testing is excellent, controllable handling throughout the full range of lateral acceleration when cornering at speed. To give the BMW X3 M, the BMW X4 M and Competition versions their M-specific handling traits, the front suspension is fitted with custom-made swivel bearings, torque arms and wishbones. Specially designed bearings are used to channel the forces conveyed by the control arms to the suspension subframe and the vehicle body, while the increased front wheel camber optimizes handling stability and lateral control through corners.
The rear suspension also boasts model-specific components and custom bushings that add to the classical M driving experience. The exceptionally stiff design of the camber arm, combined with the M-specific rubber mounts for all control arms and the rear suspension subframe, delivers even greater precision and agility. Finally, the first-ever BMW X3 M, the BMW X4 M and the Competition versions all come with model-specific anti-roll bars (larger bars on the Competition models), whose increased rigidity translates into more direct response, resulting in a noticeable reduction in body roll and more precise handling.
M-specific suspension with electronically controlled dampers
The BMW X3 M, BMW X4 M and Competition models are equipped with the standard Adaptive M Suspension, whose electronically controlled dampers ensure both excellent everyday comfort and extremely direct contact with the road – with little wheel and body movement. The damping forces for each individual wheel are continuously adjusted – with the help of internal electromagnetic valves – to perfectly suit the driving situation at hand.
The basic damper set-up can be varied at the touch of a button with a choice of three modes, each with their own settings. COMFORT mode smooths out bumps in the road at the same time as providing high levels of handling stability, while damping becomes significantly firmer in SPORT mode. Activating SPORT+ mode activates an even tauter set-up. SPORT+ is designed to put maximum longitudinal and lateral acceleration during hard driving on even surfaces, such as a closed-course track.
Precision, feel and effortlessness: M Servotronic steering with variable ratio.
The electromechanical M Servotronic steering on the first-ever BMW X3 M, BMW X4 M and Competition models has a specially designed motor unit positioned parallel to the axle and is an important component of the M driving experience. The M Servotronic system combines speed-sensitive power assistance and a variable ratio, enabling it to deliver exactly the right amount of steering feel for every situation. The result is wonderfully accurate turn-in, sensitive communication of the steering wheel’s movements when powering through corners, and effortless maneuvering and parking at low speeds.
Its variable ratio, which adjusts to changes in the steering angle, is as adept at keeping the car effortlessly in a straight line as at providing instantaneous turn-in and directional accuracy through corners. Steering response can be varied by pushing a button to select one of three settings. The steering is at its lightest in COMFORT mode, yet still provides the driver with plenty of feedback. It is more communicative in SPORT mode, while also requiring more force to turn the wheel. Configured for an extremely sporty steering feel, SPORT+ mode further increases the steering effort needed and maximizes feedback from the road.
DSC with M Dynamic Mode
The DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system takes a fraction of a second to respond to changing situations and varying road surface conditions. As well as making corrective brake inputs at individual wheels and adjusting drive torque to stabilize the car, the DSC system’s range of functions includes the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Brake Assist, the Brake Drying function and the Start-Off Assistant. When set to M Dynamic Mode, the system allows for extra wheel slip.
M compound brakes and M light-alloy wheels
The performance capabilities of the first-ever BMW X3 M, BMW X4 M and their Competition siblings are rounded off by the highly effective standard M compound brakes. Featuring four-piston fixed front calipers and single-piston floating rear calipers at the rear, they provide superb stopping power. The brake calipers are painted Blue and bear the M logo.
The drilled, inner-vented brake discs measure 395 millimeters (15.6 inches) in diameter at the front and 370 millimeters (14.6 inches) at the rear. The compound design combines the cast-iron brake discs with aluminum hubs, giving the brakes excellent feel, a low weight and increased thermal stability.
The overall package also consists of model-specific M light-alloy wheels in V-spoke design and mixed size high-performance tires (non-runflat) to match. These provide remarkably effective transmission of lateral control forces during cornering, aided further by the rear-biased configuration of the M xDrive system.
Standard specification for the first-ever BMW X3 M and BMW X4 M includes 20-inch wheels in polished Orbit Grey finish with 255/45 ZR20 tires at the front and 265/45 ZR20 tires at the rear.
The BMW X3 M Competition and BMW X4 M Competition models, are equipped with standard 21-inch wheels with a polished Jet Black finish. Tires are 255/40 ZR21 at the front and 265/40 ZR21 at the rear.
Surprise! BMW Releases M Competition Models for X3 & X4 continued…