BMW’s sporty M4 spruced up for ‘24

DUE to start rolling off the assembly line at Dingolfing in Germany next month (March), the new BMW M4 Coupe and Convertible is a further development of the current car with the wick turned up across the board.

The sporty M4 line up is scheduled to arrive Down Under in Q2 around the same time as the mainstream 4 Series Coupe and Convertible.

Leveraging BMW GT3 race car technology, the new M4 is faster, quicker, and better planted than before has more kit, looks a touch better and is available in three versions of the Coupe and one Convertible.

They are the M4 Coupe six-speed manual (RWD), the M4 Competition Coupe (RWD 8AT), the M4 Competition Coupe xDrive (AWD 8AT), and the M4 Competition Convertible xDrive (AWD 8AT) with the latter expected to top M4 sales charts globally.

Pricing is from $168,700 excluding on road costs for the M4 Coupe manual  representing a small increaso over the previous starting point 

The twin turbo Bimmer blaster is up against the last of Mercedes-AMG’s C63 Coupe and Cabrio with 4.0-litre V8 power priced from $168,000 (pricing for the new six-cylinder turbo Benz CLE AMG is unknown, same for the AMG C63 S four pot) while Audi’s RS5 Coupe is from $169,100 (an RS5 convertible is not listed).

By comparison, the rear-wheel drive, V8-powered Ford Mustang GT (fastback) goes for $65,290 and the Mustang Convertible GT is listed at $74,412 both excluding ORC.

But through continuous advancements at M headquarters, BMW confidently extols the virtues of its new M4 line-up as having more power, sharpened design features, new customisation options and digital innovations.

The straight six-cylinder twin turbo engine for example is available in three tunes: the rear-wheel drive manual Coupe retains a 353kW power plant while the Competition Coupe ups that to 375kW/650Nm with both xDrive all-wheel drive models upping that again to 390kW/650Nm.

BMW says the engine “combines the typical high-revving characteristics offered by engines from BMW M GmbH with the current version of M TwinPower Turbo Technology”.

All three iterations of the 3.0-litre engine are said to impress with responsive power delivery and high-torque characteristics up into the highest load ranges.

It is designed with features directly derived from motor racing and includes an extremely stiff crankcase in a sleeveless closed-deck design, a weight-reduced forged crankshaft and iron coated cylinder liners from an arc wire spraying process.

Manufactured using 3D printing, the cylinder head core features an optimised routing of the coolant ducts, something BMW says cannot be realised using conventional metal casting technology.

It optimises both weight and temperature management further enhanced through the cooling system and oil supply that are aligned to the demands of racetrack use.

The engine’s twin turbo set-up comprises two mono scroll turbochargers, each feeding three cylinders. Indirect intercooling facilitated by a low-temperature circuit and specific compressors optimise the power output of the charging unit.

The engine tech’ package includes high precision injection operating at a maximum pressure of 350 bar, variable valve control Valvetronic and infinitely variable camshaft control Double VANOS.

Accelerative powers are prodigious regardless of the M4’s weight that spans 1700kg to 2000kg model dependent.

The Competition Coupe with xDrive can clock a 0-100km/h sprint in 3.5 seconds with the others not far behind.

The “base” six-speed manual is good for a combined 10.0L/100km, the Competition Coupe (RWD auto) does 9.7L/100km and the xDrives do 10.2L/100km, all WLTP and all on 98 RON fuel.

On the dynamic front BMW has calibrated the new M4 for both every day and racetrack applications starting with an aero package that is suitable for a high-performance sports car optimising engine cooling and high speed stability.

It includes a large, vertical kidney grille with M-typical horizontally arranged double slats, flared wheel arches and side sills as well as attachments for the front and rear aprons.

A carbon reinforced plastic (CRP) roof is standard on all variants except the Convertible and each variant has individual styling characteristics setting them apart.

BMW’s M division used the Nurburgring to hone the latest M4 including manual and paddle shift auto transmission calibration with Drivelogic for customisable drive feel.

The M division was also responsible for a rear-wheel biased AWD system functioning in conjunction with a fully variable active M differential in the rear wheel transmission.

The stiff body with model specific body struts provide an ideal structure for suspension connections to create enhanced agility and response to steering commands.

The MY24 BMW M4’s comprehensive rework features safety tech’ upgrades, numerous options and option packages, new headlights, laser taillights, M forged light-alloy wheels featuring a new design, new steering wheels and interior trims as well as the BMW Operating System 8.5.