New BMW M4 gets more power, ditches RWD

530hp for updated Competition-spec coupe and cabrio, now exclusively in xDrive format for the UK

Anyone with experience of xDrive M cars surely won’t have much to complain about. Barely any heavier or pricier, they deliver all the security of four driven wheels with a pure rear-drive option on top. Should you ever really want it, because the xDrive does such a good job of divvying up power as standard. In fact, so successful has the introduction of four-wheel drive to the BMW M4 been that, with this facelift, it’ll now be xDrive only in the UK. The fate of the M3 hasn’t yet been confirmed, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see it follow suit. And a world without a rear-drive M3 or M4 would be… well, weird.

But we don’t know that for certain just yet, and there’s plenty to be encouraged by with this updated M4 Competition as well (plus you can bet the xDrive has been the biggest seller anyway). Power from the 3.0-litre, twin-turbocharged, S58 straight six is now 530hp; torque is unchanged at 479lb ft but is now available across a slightly wider band of revs, from 2,750-5,730rpm (where before it was until 5,500rpm). BMW says a Competition Coupe gets to 62mph in 3.5 seconds, the drop-top a couple of tenths after. The 155mph limiter can be raised to 174mph (Coupe) or 180mph (Convertible) with the M Driver’s Package. The eight-speed auto continues unchanged.

Cosmetic changes for the new G82 and G83 are mild, which is not normally a word used to describe this generation of M4. The most notable changes are the CSL-style rear laser lights (which look great) and a new graphic for the front DRLs seen on the 3 Series. The grilles remain the same. And check out the wheels - somebody at M got the memo about silver making a comeback, thank goodness. We’ll assume that the pink is new, too, because we’d all surely remember seeing an M4 Convertible like this before. The M Design Graphics on the M4 Coupe here are optional, thank goodness. Those who don’t want the carbon roof on the hardtop can opt for a steel one with an electric sunroof at no extra cost.

Probably the more significant changes occur on the inside, this facelift introducing BMW Operating System 8.5 to the M4, meaning the interior boasts ‘exclusive sportscar flair with advanced digitalisation’. The system is ‘actively designed’ for touch and voice control (erk), and there’s been ‘further refinement in the number of buttons and controls in the cockpit’ (double erk) but the vents have been revised to allow more precise adjustment if your hands must be twiddling something. Combined with the pair of screens (a 12.3-inch driver display that joins with the main 14.9-inch one) first seen on the M3 Touring, it creates a very different interior look to that first seen on the M4 just three years ago. The steering wheel is now flat-bottomed and with a red mark at 12 o’clock and can be Alcantara for the first time. Because obviously it’s a race car. With Aluminium Rhombicle Anthracite M Interior trim.

There are plenty of optional extras available for both new M4s, of course. On the safety front, there’s a Driving Assistance package (that includes Lane Return with steering assistance), a Parking Assistant and the Reversing Assistant. Won’t be long before there’s an Oversteer Assistant, surely. More interestingly, there are a bunch of M Performance Parts that can be added, including forged wheels, carbon body parts and, er, floor mats. There’s also a Race Track pack that adds ceramic brakes and the carbon seats, plus an M carbon exterior package that sorta does what it says on the tin.

The new M4 Coupe and Convertible head up a revised 4 Series range, which has been slimmed down now in the UK to the M cars, a 420i and M440i xDrive in two-door and convertible forms. They too get the new OS with iDrive QuickSelect, plus the option of the rear laser light, and also CraftedClarity glass (like on an 8 Series) for some interior controls. Mechanically the M440i is unchanged, though there’s never really been any complaints about the mild-hybrid straight six; with 374hp and 369lb ft, it can get both 4 Series models to 62mph in less than five seconds. The M Performance-specific suspension, diff and brakes remain.

The most obvious visual change, unless you’re a very keen BMW spotter, will be the new colours available on the 4 Series: Cape York Green and Fire Red join eight existing colours. There are new designs of 19-inch alloy wheel, too, the accents for the M440i that were Cerium Grey are now black, plus the exhausts of the M440i are now 100mm diameter rather than 90mm. You probably noticed that already.

M Performtex is something you’ll hear more about in BMW’s future, found on the 4 Series seats as standard; it boasts a ‘sporty design with low weight and a sustainability optimised production method’. A host of leathers are also available. Also, new inside are illuminated shift paddles, a flat-bottomed wheel like the M4, standard ambient lighting (with Welcome and Goodbye animations) and aluminium trim. On an extensive options list are the pleasingly old-school possibilities of Fineline Light Brown or Grey Blue Ash wood trim. BMW even goes so far as to acknowledge its reputation for driver focus, like the real good old days. Speaking of the new iDrive, the press release adds: The new flat menu structure makes it much easier to activate the desired functions and settings. The digital content - just like the hardware in the form of the BMW Curved Display- is designed to enhance the driver focus for which BMW is renowned.’ Crikey.

Indeed, the very fact there’s still an inline six-cylinder engine in both the M440i and M4 feels like cause for celebration right now. The new two-door 4 Series models (presumably a Gran Coupe will be along again soon) are available to order now, priced from £43,020 for the 420i Coupe; the Convertible equivalent is £49,695. An M440i xDrive kicks off at £58,735, up to £65,410 for the drop-top. The M4 Competition xDrive Coupe and Convertible are £84,250 and £88,255 respectively. Deliveries are due in April.

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Billy_Whizzzz

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