444bhp for BMW M3 and M4 Competition Package
Engine, performance and visual tweaks for the M3, M4 Coupe and M4 Convertible
The BMW M3 and M4 aren’t short on straight line pace with 425bhp at their disposal, but those addicted by the pursuit of pace may want to put their names down for the new M3 and M4 Competition Package.
Tweaks to the 2979cc, twin-turbocharged inline-six lift peak power to 444bhp. There’s no dramatic improvement to the cars’ figures – the M3 and M4 Coupe shave a tenth of the 0-62mph sprint in M DCT form, now 4-seconds flat, while the M4 Convertible drops from 4.4sec to 4.3. Manual versions also trim a tenth from their respective sprints.
Perhaps more welcome are the suspension changes. Adaptive M Suspension is standard in the Competition Package, albeit ‘extensively tuned’ with new springs, dampers and anti-roll bars.
The Comfort, Sport and Sport+ driving modes have also been reconfigured to the new output and suspension settings, as have the Active M Differential and the car’s stability control system.
Rolling stock has been upgraded too. Striking alloy wheels like those of the M4 GTS fill each arch; those at the front are 9J x 20 wrapped in 265/30 R20 tyres, while their counterparts at the back measure 10K x 20 with 285/30 R20 rubber.
Further styling touches include black chrome tailpipes for the M sports exhaust system, gloss black Shadow Line exterior trim, and black kidney grilles, side gills and model badge.
The standard seats are replaced by lightweight M sports seats, while the seatbelts gain distinctive M stripes.
The Competition Package hasn’t yet been confirmed for the UK, though it’s likely – both the M5 and M6 already have Competition Package options. US pricing stands at $5500 for the M3 and M4 Coupe, and $5000 for the M4 Convertible, so UK pricing is likely to be in the £5000 range.
