THE ALL-NEW BMW M3 (sedan) and M4 (coupe) were unveiled last week and will arrive in the country early next year carrying a high level of specification and performance customisability as detailed in our earlier story.
The four-model line-up will include the M3 and M4 and M3 and M4 Competition variants, all with highly tuned chassis dynamics, potent powertrains, new generation M control systems and aggressive styling packages.
The 353kW/550Nm BMW M3 and M4 with rear-wheel-drive and six-speed manual transmission will deliver the standard sprint in just 4.2 seconds, while the 375kW/650Nm M3 and M4 Competition variants bring that figure down to a blistering 3.9 seconds.
Standard equipment highlights are extensive and include the new BMW M Drive Professional system, which integrates M Track Mode, M Laptimer, 10-stage M Traction Control and an M Drift Analyser.
This is in combination with a raft of chassis and performance aspects including the three-litre M TwinPower engine supported by a motorsport-derived oil cooling system.
The chassis features stiffening and bracing measures, while the body has functional aerodynamics developed on the racetrack.
All models are fitted with 19-inch front and 20-inch rear M forged alloy wheels shod with performance tyres. A choice of four wheel spoke designs are available.
The exhaust system, with BMW M-signature quad 100mm diameter tailpipes, has electronically-controlled flaps to provide a booming soundtrack.
All grades additionally feature BMW Laserlight and metallic paint as standard.
Two new paint finishes are exclusive to M3 and M4 and featured in last week’s launch – Isle of Man Green metallic and Sao Paulo Yellow non-metallic.
Available colours include Alpine White, which joins Sao Paulo in the non-metallic range, while metallic finishes include Black Sapphire, Portimao Blue, Toronto Red, Isle of Man Green and Brooklyn Grey. A range ofBMW Individual finishes is also available (further details in option packages below).
BMW M3 ($144,900 plus on road costs) and M4 ($149,900 plus on road costs)
- M TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder petrol engine
- 6-speed Manual transmission
- Rear Wheel Drive
- 19-inch/20-inch M forged wheels with performance tyres
- M Carbon Fibre roof
- M Compound Brakes in Blue with M lettering
- M Drive Professional
- Active M Differential
- Tyre pressure indicator
- Tyre repair kit
- Adaptive M Suspension
- Alarm system
- Comfort Access system
- Automatic tailgate operation
- BMW Laserlight
- High beam assistant
- BMW Individual Lights Shadow Line
- Interior and exterior mirror package
- Through loading system
- Storage compartment package
- M Sport Seats
- Seat adjustment, electric with memory for driver’s seat
- Lumbar support for driver and front passenger
- Seat heating for driver and front passenger
- M Seat belts
- Interior trim finishers ‘Carbon Fibre’ incl. carbon inserts in steering wheel
- Galvanic embellishers for controls
- Ambient light
- Automatic air conditioning
- Driving Assistant (not available with manual transmission)
- Parking Assistant Plus
- BMW Head-Up Display
- Live Cockpit Professional
- Teleservices
- ConnectedDrive services
- Connected Package Professional incl. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- DAB+ Digital Radio
- Harman / Kardon surround sound system
- Wireless smartphone charging
- Leather ‘Merino’ with extended contents
- Metallic paintwork
BMW M3 Competition ($154,900 plus on road costs) and M4 Competition ($159,900 plus on road costs) feature the following in addition to M3 and M4:
- Comfort Access incl. BMW Digital Key
- Driving Assistant Professional
- 8-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic
- Carbon gearshift paddles on steering wheel
- Full leather ‘Merino’ upholstery
Option packages
A range of options allows customers to personalise their M3 and M4.
Highlights include:
- M Carbon ceramic brakes, which deliver enhanced heat dissipation for high level racetrack performance ($16,500)
- M Carbon exterior package, which includes carbon fibre front bumper, mirror caps, rear spoiler and diffuser ($9500)
- Lightweight M Carbon bucket seats, which reduce weight by 9.6kg and feature a structure-based design and integral head restraints that can be dismantled for track driving ($7500)
- M Carbon Package, which combines M Carbon bucket seats, M Carbon exterior package and M Carbon ceramic brakes ($26,000)
- Track tyres: Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 or Pirelli P Zero Corsa ($2000)
The blue calipers of the M compound brake system can also be optioned in a choice of high-gloss red or black.
BMW Individual paint finishes include Dravit Grey metallic, Tanzanite Blue metallic and Oxide Grey metallic. All three are available for $2500.
BMW Individual Frozen Brilliant White metallic is available for $7000, while Frozen Portimao Blue metallic, Frozen Black metallic, Frozen Dark Grey and Frozen Orange metallic are available for $5000.
The Carbon Fibre interior trim package, which includes carbon fibre steering wheel finishers and gearshift paddles for the Competition models, comes as standard fitment. Four no-cost trim options are available, including: Aluminium Tetragon, BMW Individual with finishers in piano black, BMW Individual with finishers in aluminium fabric high gloss and BMW Individual fine-wood trim ‘Fineline’ Black with silver effect open-pore.
A range of upholstery options can be specified at no cost to the customer including the all-new Yas Marina Blue/Black and Kyalami Orange/Black that were features of the launch.
Four dynamic wheel designs are available with every option featuring an M forged light alloy style with double-spoke styling.
BMW M3 and M4 2021 line-up
| Variant | Engine | Power | Torque | Trans. | 0-100km/h (sec) | |
| M3 | 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol TwinPower Turbo | 353kW | 550Nm | Man | 4.2 | $144,900 |
| M4 | 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol TwinPower Turbo | 353kW | 550Nm | Man | 4.2 | $149,900 |
| M3 Competition |
3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol TwinPower Turbo | 375kW | 650Nm | Auto | 3.9 | $154,900 |
| M4 Competition |
3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol TwinPower Turbo | 375kW | 650Nm | Auto | 3.9 | $159,900 |
All prices plus on road costs.