Combining 510 hp, rear-wheel drive and automatic transmission, it ensures fun and performance, along with great traction capacity.
When talking about the 2021 BMW M4 Competition Coupé of this test , surely, we make it one of the most anticipated sports cars of the year. But also, one of the best models that we are going to test in all of 2021.
At first, it may sound exaggerated, but the dynamic improvement of the 2021 M4 is so high, that already in March I dare to include it in my imaginary selection of the 10 best cars of the season.
Because yes, the M4 Competition runs. In fact, it runs a little more than you can imagine. But that’s not something surprising, when you talk about a BMW that hides a 510 hp engine under the hood. The biggest step forward I perceive in the behavior section, where it is a fun car, yes, but less delicate in reactions than its predecessor.
But, let us start at the beginning. Currently, we are facing the sixth generation of the M3 saga (second to the M4, after the ‘independence’ of late 2013), so we are talking about a model with a great history behind it, with some models that have fallen in love more than others.
However, the current model plays hard … in every way. Because the current M3 and M4 Coupé will be joined by the expected M4 Cabrio (this year) and the first M3 Touring in history (in 2022 or 2023).
In addition to this variety of versions, this new installment of the saga offers another aspect highly valued by sports car lovers: in its Competition versions, the only ones that reach Spain, both the M3 and the M4 Coupé exceed the 500 barrier Power CV.
In fact, the 3.0-liter, six-cylinder in-line engine, with two turbos, is ‘off the hook’ with no less than 510 hp at 6,250 rpm and a spectacular maximum torque of 650 Nm, distributed between 2,750 and 5,500 laps.
And just a first full acceleration is enough to discover what the model is capable of. And I’m not just talking about performance, an aspect in which it is more than enough, with 3.9 seconds in the 0 to 100 km / h (12.5 seconds, in the 0 to 200) and a maximum speed of up to 290 km / h h.
Rather, how it accelerates. Something that he does with a professionalism and a decision that can be scary. Of course, for the M4 Competition, accelerating to just over 7,000 laps, without faltering, is something like one more day at the office.
In fact, it is enough to go up a couple of gears so that, almost without realizing it, you are rolling at speeds with which you could face a penalty much more than serious.
But also, this helps you to discover other of the strengths of the new BMW M4, such as the good work carried out by the automatic transmission with torque converter and eight M Steptronic relations, with Drivelogic function, and how well the car pulls. , despite being a rear-wheel drive.
In fact, on the road, I had doubts whether I was doing better in fast or slow corners, coming to the conclusion that I was enjoying the wheel equally. And above all, in the city or on the highway, it is not a particularly uncomfortable car.
Of course, with an approved consumption of 10.0 liters per 100 kilometers, the figure that the on-board computer will reflect can go up as much as the driver wants …
In general, the good feeling is maintained in any type of tacked section, where, personally, I find a huge difference compared to the previous model. Because now, you are not so on the wire with him, he is not so demanding or, if you allow me the expression, so radical of reactions.
Because make no mistake, if you want to push it to the limit, the M4 Coupé is still tremendously demanding, but it makes you suffer less. Let’s say that if you focus on what you’re doing and get the point, you can go extremely fast … with no scares involved.
Part of the driver’s confidence lies in the steering, with almost surgical precision. But also, in the braking system (carboceramics, indestructible), the damping and the gearbox, which acts with great speed (it has three modes), being able to be managed in manual-sequential mode by means of cams.
Obviously, all this is achieved with a specific tuning of the chassis, with structural reinforcements, an adaptive suspension, a steering with variable transmission, its own tires (with an inch more always on the rear rim), an active differential on the axle. rear…
And also, with the maximum customization of all the parameters of the car, almost as if it were a competition model. In fact, the DSC stability control has the so-called M Dynamic Mode, while the ASR traction control has 10 different positions.
In the same way, driving assistance can be managed through three programs (Road, Sport and Track) and through the Setup button it is possible to modify parameters such as engine response, gear speed, suspension stiffness, performance of the brakes … Everything, divided between the Efficient, Sport and Sport Plus modes.
Anything else? Well yes, since the M Lap Timer is offered, a function that analyzes the laps on the circuit and the M Drift Analyzer, which measures the skidding capabilities of the driver.
Too much hassle with settings? There is no need to worry, since with the M1 and M2 buttons, located on the multifunction steering wheel, we can memorize our favorite set-up.
Ah, I forgot, the sports exhaust can also be managed, by means of a button located on the center console. Although in this sense, the melody emitted may be slightly less scandalous than in the previous model.
Precisely, compared to the previous model, the 2021 BMW M4 is wider, longer and equal in height than the previous model, while using 19-inch wheels at the front and rear (19 and 20, respectively, as an option) .
Behind them, there is an M Compound brake system, composed of 380-millimeter discs (and six-piston calipers) at the front and 370 millimeters at the rear. It is striking that the calipers can be painted in three colors and, as an option, the M Carbon are available, with gold calipers and two pedal operating modes: Comfort and Sport.
Continuing with the curiosities, the BMW M4 Competition can include new bucket-type seats, the M Carbon Bucket, which in addition to offering superlative body support, have electric adjustment, reduce the weight of the vehicle by 10 kilos and have a removable headrest (for use on the track).
These seats can be equipped individually or within the M Race Track package, together with the larger tires, the limitation up to 290 km / h or the carbo-ceramic brake equipment, among other things. In this case, the weight of the car is reduced by about 25 kilos, but you have to pay a price slightly higher than 26,000 euros.
Continuing with the monetary issue, the price to pay for the BMW M4 Competition Coupé is 113,200 euros, exactly 2,000 euros more than for its sedan brother. And for those who want to opt for the all-wheel drive model, we can only ask for a little patience, since the versions with the M xDrive system are just around the corner.