2021 BMW M4 Competition Coupe - Images, Specifications and Information

The new 2021 BMW M3 and M4 are the most aggressive and focused M3 and M4 models to date. The M-specific design features differentiate the two new cars from their non-M versions more than ever. “The design is resoundingly function-driven, pure and reduced without compromise,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “At the same time, it provides an emotionally engaging window into the vehicle character.”

Exclusive exterior paint colors, forged M light-alloy wheels, a carbon fiber roof and the optional M Carbon exterior package emphasise both form and function of the new BMW M3 and M4.

Dimensionally, the new M3 Sedan is 4.6-inches longer, 0.4-inches wider, 0.1-inch higher and with a 1.8-inch longer wheelbase than the previous generation car. The new M4 Coupe is 4.6-inches longer, 0.7-inches wider, 0.4-inches higher and with a 1.8-inch longer wheelbase than the M4 that it replaces.

The front end of the new M3 displays the most aggressive differentiation from its non-M sibling. Like the new M4, the front end is highlighted by the large and deep frameless BMW kidney grille designed to feed the massive amounts of air needed for fulfilling the cooling requirements under the most rigorous conditions. Cooling for the engine and brakes is provided by large additional intakes on either side of the kidney grille. These two-section apertures feature brake air ducts on the inside and air supply for the remote coolant radiators to the outside. At the outer edges of the front bumper, the vertical intakes for the Air Curtains accentuate the width of the car.

The lines of the front bumper and hood converge on the BMW kidney grille, as do the contours of the slim headlights. Standard on the new BMW M3 and M4 are full-LED headlights with U-shaped fiber-optic light guides for the daytime driving lights. Adaptive LED Headlights with BMW Laserlight are available as an option. These can be identified by the blue inlays at the upper edge of the headlight units and come with the cornering light and adaptive cornering functions. BMW Individual Shadowline lights, with darkened inlays adorning their upper edges, are also available as an option.

The most striking design feature alongside the prominently flared fenders of the new M3 and M4 are the extended side sills. Together with the aerodynamic components of the front and rear bumpers, which also jut out significantly, they form a High-gloss Black band around the whole of the car. This racing car-inspired design element, also adopted on the first-generation BMW M3, increases downforce in the underbody area and helps to optimize aerodynamic balance of the new cars.

The front fenders and rear wheel arches of both models have a flared M-specific which creates room for the wider tracks and wheels that help to give the cars their cornering ability. The M gills familiar from past and present cars are integrated neatly into the distinctive surfacing of the front side fenders. The M-specific exterior mirrors have been aerodynamically optimized and are painted in body color or High-gloss Black on the Competition models.

The roof of both the new BMW M3 and M4 is made from carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP). This extremely lightweight material lowers the cars’ center of gravity, enhancing their agility. Two fins running longitudinally over the CFRP roof optimize airflow, as does the rear spoiler, which is painted in body color – or High-gloss Black on the Competition models. The rear diffuser comes in black on all models and frames the familiar exhaust system’s twin pairs of 100 mm exhaust tips. The slim, darkened rear light clusters with L-shaped LED taillights extend into the fenders, further accentuating the width of the two new models.

An optional M Carbon exterior package is available for the new M3 and M4. The weight-minimized components included in the package provide a striking visual appearance for the racing-car character of the two models. The M Carbon exterior package is composed of inlays for the front air intakes, a rear diffuser, exterior mirror caps and a rear spoiler made from CFRP.

The optional Extended Shadowline trim on the core models (standard on Competition models) adds a classy dark finish for the exterior mirrors, rear spoiler and tailpipes. The Competition models can also be optionally specified with exterior mirrors and a rear spoiler in body color plus chrome tailpipes matching the appearance of the core M3 and M4 models.

The latest interior design of the new BMW 3 Series and 4 Series is the foundation of the new M cars’ interiors. Added signature M details include red accents for the M buttons on the M leather steering wheel and the start/stop button on the center console. The gear selector lever with Drivelogic switch in the Competition models is leather covered with an embedded M logo and stitching in M GmbH colors. It also features an eye-catching cut-out, which is accentuated by integrated “waterfall” lighting.

The standard anthracite-colored headliner and interior Aluminum Tetragon trim enhance the sports-car aura. Cars with the optional Carbon Fiber interior trim also feature carbon trim for the inlays in the M leather steering wheels and the shift paddles for the Competition models. The carbon paddles also have a unique design.

The new BMW M3 and M4 feature newly developed heated M sport seats and fine-grain Merino leather trim with extended features. The M sport seats have pronounced side bolsters, integrated head restraints and an illuminated model badge. M-specific perforation, which enhances the effect of the optional seat ventilation (available for the first time on the M3 and M4), and a contrasting color for the center section (depending on the variant chosen) raise the sense of sporting exclusivity another notch or two.

A new optional interior highlight are the electric front M Carbon bucket seats. Making their debut on the M3 and M4, they combine racing functionality with lightweight design and comfort over long distances. The newly developed seats have integrated head restraints and an illuminated model badge. The use of CFRP in the structural of the seat surface and backrest, and cut-outs in the side bolsters and below the head restraints save 21 pounds over the standard M sport seats.

Their racing-car-inspired structure also enables the use of multi-point seat belts. The high Alcantara side bolsters help keep the occupants firmly in place during high G-forces. The seat position can be set even lower than the standard M sport seats.

The new 2021 BMW M3 and M4 feature standard BMW Live Cockpit Professional with a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument display and a 10.25-inch digital, high-resolution touch screen center display. The latest iDrive 7.0 operating system includes Navigation with new cloud-based BMW Maps, wireless connectivity for your mobile devices including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto compatibility and BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and M-specific displays for the instrument cluster and optional Head-Up display.

iDrive 7 allows the driver and passengers to interact with their new M3 or M4 through voice control, touch screen or via the touch iDrive controller. Control buttons for M Mode, Setup and M Sound are placed within easy reach to the left of the rotary controller.

With the cloud-based navigation system, BMW Maps calculates routes and arrival times with greater speed and accuracy, updates real-time traffic data at short intervals and lets drivers enter any word when searching for a destination.

M-specific controls used to configure the powertrain and chassis to personal tastes and requirements have played an important part in enhancing the close relationship between a driver and their BMW M car. The new M3 and M4 offer even more ways to adjust the cars’ setup precisely to the situation at hand and the driver’s personal preferences.

The new Setup button on the center console provides direct access to the settings options for the seven powertrain and chassis settings. Pressing the button calls up the Setup menu in the Control Display, which lists the currently selected vehicle settings. The driver can now use touch control or the iDrive Controller to activate the desired mode for the engine response, damper settings, steering characteristics and brakes.

EFFICIENT, SPORT and SPORT PLUS settings can be engaged to modify the engine’s characteristics, while selecting the COMFORT, SPORT or SPORT PLUS chassis mode provides access to the three settings for the electronically controlled dampers. The driver can choose between COMFORT and SPORT modes for the M-specific Electric Power Steering and the new braking system. The Gear Shift Assistant can be deactivated via the Setup menu and M Traction Control, part of the optional M Drive Professional, offers ten-stage adjustment of wheel slip control. In the all-wheel-drive Competition models, the driver can also choose from the 4WD, 4WD SPORT and 2WD settings for the M xDrive system, the latter delivering pure rear-wheel drive.

The M mode button, found on the center console of the new M3 and M4, can be used to adjust the responses and characteristics of the driver assistance systems and the displays in the instrument cluster and optional Head-Up Display to deliver a driving experience suited to the situation at hand. The driver can choose from ROAD and SPORT settings, with TRACK mode additionally available when M Drive Professional is specified.

In the ROAD setting, all the standard and optional driver assistance systems are fully activated. Pressing the M Mode button engages the SPORT setting, in which the driver assistance systems activated through the driver’s chosen configuration limit themselves to warnings of speed limits and overtaking restrictions, for example. All interventions in the braking and steering systems are suspended in this mode, except for inputs from the Frontal Collision Warning with braking function and the Evasion Assistant.

In SPORT mode the instrument cluster and optional Head-Up Display switch to M View, which only presents information relevant to sporty driving. The information shown includes an M-specific tachometer and Shift Lights, plus a digital speed read-out and gear indicator. A range of data including coolant temperature, charge pressure, tire temperature and pressure and lateral and longitudinal acceleration can be displayed in the right- and left-hand areas of the instrument cluster.

In cars with M Drive Professional, drivers can select TRACK mode. Developed exclusively for race circuits, this mode is activated with an extended press of the M Mode button. The driver must then confirm their choice using the iDrive Controller. This setting fully deactivates all the comfort and safety functions of the driver assistance systems. The Control Display is switched off to focus the driver’s attention completely on the track. The instrument cluster and optional Head-Up Display switch to M View mode, with road sign detection and distance information also remaining hidden in the TRACK setting.

Making its debut is new optional M Drive Professional, which has been developed specifically for track driving. This new option helps the driver to make consistent progress in pursuit of the ideal line and the perfect lap. Features include the M Drift Analyzer which records the duration, distance covered, line and angle of a drift with a rating shown on the Control Display.

Other functions include the M Laptimer, which provides a comprehensive amount of performance information, shown on both the optional Head-Up display and in the instrument cluster, beyond just recording lap times. As well as checking their current lap time, the driver can also keep a constant eye on how much quicker or slower they are than their fastest lap of the current session. The Control Display shows the number of laps completed so far, the distance covered and the duration of the driver’s current stint. The driver can also analyze the data recorded during their track outing in detail using the BMW M Laptimer app on their Apple iPhone – and share selected information with the online community. Among the resources available are a bird’s-eye map view of the track, a lap time comparison, data from the car’s sensors such as speed, engine revs and accelerator position, and graphics showing the lateral and longitudinal acceleration values attained.

The new M3 and M4 are equipped with extensive and cutting-edge standard driver assistance systems designed to enhance comfort and safety in both day to day driving and during long journeys. Park Distance Control and Automatic High beam assistant are standard as is Active Protection and the Active Driving Assistant.

The optional Driving Assistance Professional Package for the Competition models includes Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Extended Traffic Jam Assistant for limited access highways, Active Lane Keeping Assistant, Active Blind Spot Detection, Evasion Aid and Emergency Stop Assistant.

The latest generation of the optional BMW Head-Up Display system offers a 70 percent larger projection surface on which M-specific displays such as the multi-color tachometer, the Shift Lights and M View are shown.

The optional Parking Assistance package can identify parking spots to the left or right and steer the car into the parking spot. The Surround View with 3D view gives a top down view of the car and its surroundings which can also be accessed remotely by the BMW ConnectedDrive app. The included BMW Drive Recorder uses the front and rear cameras to record video sequences up to 40 seconds in length with a tap of the iDrive controller or automatically in an event of a crash. The video clips can be exported to a storage device using the USB port.
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