BMW M4: coupe of the year?
The BMW M4 is essentially a rebranded M3 Coupe. It's a quick, entertaining, and very attractive sports vehicle that also has some practicality for people who need to transport luggage or rear-seat passengers on occasion. BMW had to make several tweaks to the previous-generation M4 before it provided the performance and handling.
However, the latest version got off to a far better start. It boasts a 503bhp twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine and is based on the BMW 4 Series, which was selected What Car? Coupé of the Year. The BMW M4 Competition is one of the most sought-after sports vehicles on the market today in the United Kingdom. It's available as a two-door coupe or an open-top M4 Convertible, and with a pedigree that stretches back to the cult classic BMW M3, it's a car with a strong reputation to uphold.
Interior
The cabin of the M4 Competition isn't much different from the interior of a conventional BMW 4 Series, which isn't always a bad thing. The inside of the 4 Series is one of the best in the coupé class, and we believe BMW has tweaked enough details for the M4 to make you feel like you're driving something unique.
- A thick-rimmed M steering wheel is also standard, as are racy-feeling sports seats. If you want to make your M4 feel a little more like a race vehicle, you may upgrade to carbon fiber buckets.
- The BMW M4 comes standard with a great infotainment system with a 10.1-inch screen. A 12.3-inch digital driver’s display sits in front of you for important driving information, and these can be customized to include racy-looking M-specific displays.
- Sport seats with integrated headrests, M Division seatbelts, a bright red starter button, and carbon-fiber trim, a sports steering wheel with contrast stitching, and a pair of red M mode buttons are all included. There's also a wide range of leather and interior trim choices to choose from.
- Traditional black on cream to vivid blue on day-glow yellow are among the interior color schemes. We prefer the brighter colors, but it's up to you to determine whether Valentino Rossi yellow belongs in your performance automobile.
Comfort, flexibility, and boot space
- The sole difference between it and the ordinary BMW 4 Series is the bigger sports front seats. The optional M carbon bucket seats we tested provide extra lateral support for the driver and passenger while still providing enough head and leg room for six-footers.
- The automobile is 55mm wider in the front and rear, and the aggressively sculpted front and rear bumpers add 33mm to the overall length. Surprisingly, the M4 is 6 millimeters higher than the standard 4 Series.
- Considering its Coupe moniker, the M4 is surprisingly capacious and functional. The M4 is a strict four-seater, unlike previous 4 Series vehicles, with the back bench separated into two, bolstered chairs. Despite the slanting roofline, headroom is adequate, and legroom is sufficient.
- There's plenty of room to stretch out in the front, and the wide range of seat and wheel adjustments make it simple to become comfortable behind the wheel.
- In terms of boot size, it's comparable to the RS5. It has the advantage of being a very simple square shape, which allows us to fit seven bags inside the boot.
MPG, CO2 emissions, and operating expenses
- The M4 is really fairly fuel-efficient when compared to the original M3 Coupe, which had a huge naturally aspirated V8. The 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine with dual turbochargers is roughly 25% more fuel efficient.
- The M4 Competition coupe gets up to 28.5mpg in the current WLTP tests, while the convertible gets slightly less at 28.0mpg. The coupe emits 228 g/km of CO2 while the drop-top emits 232 g/km.
- It'll be expensive to operate, as with many performance cars: the M4 averaged just 26.3mpg on our real-world test route.
Reliability and safety
- The BMW M4 shares many of its electrical systems and fundamental chassis components with the BMW 3 Series and 4 Series, but it also comes with a slew of unique parts and electronics.
- Many of the M4's components are one-of-a-kind, the car is also hand-built by BMW's M Division, which should result in a higher-quality finish than a conventional production line 4 Series.
- All models come equipped with six airbags, many electronic safety nets, and upgraded brakes as standard equipment. A head-up display (about £850) and lane keep assist (around £400) can also be added.
- The BMW M4 Competition is a beehive of tried-and-true high-tech parts, as well as cutting-edge safety equipment.
Read More:
