BMW has unveiled the 2021 M3, M4 along with Competition models of both the performance sedan and coupe. For the latest generation of the performance cars, the German automaker has taken a new design approach, especially with respect to the front portion of the vehicles.
One thing is for sure, the styling at the front is polarising, what with the large vertical kidney grilles that extend all the way down to the splitter and the form follows function design principle that has resulted in numerous cuts and creases and vents.
Along the sides of the M3, the bulging wheel arches with M gills can be seen, apart from the side sills, while the sculpted roof is made from carbon fibre. At the rear, the sharp styling continues with a pair of stylish taillights, a rear spoiler, two pairs of exhaust pipes and a diffuser.
Of course, the M4 has one major difference and that is it ditches the back doors and has a sloping roofline that makes it look like a smaller version of the M8, especially from the side profile.
Inside, both the M3 and M4 get a rather normal cabin. There is no question about the fit and finish or the quality of the materials used. However, it is a bit bland in comparison with what the competitors offer in their performance cars.
Nonetheless, the cabin features new M sport seats and fine-grain Merino leather trim with extended features as standard, with seat ventilation also available for the first time. The usual suite of connectivity options, navigation and other infotainment features that we have seen on the regular 3-Series continue to be available.
Powering the 2021 M3, M4 and their Competition counterparts is a 3.0-litre in-line 6-cylinder twin-turbocharged motor. In the M3 and M4, it is tuned to make 480 HP and 550 Nm and the power is transferred to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox.
However, for the M3 Competition and M4 Competition, the power is bumped up to 510 HP and 650 Nm and the engine is mated to a 8-speed M Steptronic transmission. The Competition models will also be available with M xDrive all-wheel-drive system, a first for the models.
Such power figures allow even the manual M3 and M4 to do the 0-100 km/hr sprint in 4.2 seconds, while the Competition models can do the same run in 3.9 seconds.
Due to such respectable performance numbers, the BMW has had to work on the chassis a lot to provide high torsional rigidity while keeping the agility and precision intact. Suspension has also been tuned, with the cars getting adaptive M suspension as standard.
Standard features offered on both the models include LED headlights, 3-zone automatic climate control, LED interior lighting including ambient lighting, hi-fi speaker system, BMW Live Cockpit Professional, smartphone integration, M Drive Professional (Competition models, optional in normal M3 and M4), drive modes, head-up display, Park Distance Control, Front Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning, plus the Speed Limit Info road sign detection system.
Options include adaptive LED headlights with BMW Laserlight, M Carbon bucket seats, a steel roof with sunroof, M Race Track Package that reduces weight by using optimised components like M Carbon bucket seats, Driving Assistant Professional, Parking Assistant, Head-Up Display with M-specific content.
Exterior paint finishes as shown in the 2021 BMW M3 unveil includes Sao Paulo Yellow non-metallic, Toronto Red metallic and Isle of Man Green metallic.
Further, BMW has revealed that M Carbon exterior package and model-specific M Performance Parts can be ordered from launch which will be by March 2021. Also, the very first M3 Estate is also in the works and is coming by 2022.
2021 BMW M3 Unveiled
- BMW has unveiled the 2021 M3, M4 and their Competition models
- The sedan and coupe come with a major overhaul over their predecessors
- Powered by a 3.0-litre in-line 6-cylinder motor producing up to 510 HP
