bmwnews The all new M3 and M4 is here!
Here are the latest generation (G80) M3 Competition and (G82) M4 Competition models, which promise to blend searing performance with everyday usability. Unfortunately there’s no getting away from the debate over those new (and huge) front kidney grilles. We do think they’ll become accepted over time, it’s a bit like Chris Bangle’s flame surfacing. When the furore died down the various ‘Bangleised’ models became accepted and sold well, which is all that matters to BMW, and most of the once-controversial designs have stood the test of time well, the E60 5 Series and the Z4 being two we could mention. So given time, the grilles will, we predict, be accepted by most in the BMW community. But back to the cars – both are powered by a 3.0-litre M TwinPower Turbo six cylinder in-line engine, mated to a (standard) specially tuned eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. Thus equipped, the engine produces 510bhp and 650Nm of torque, allowing both the M3C and M4C to sprint to 60mph in (a conservative) 3.7 seconds, although when equipped with all-wheel-drive (M xDrive all-wheel-drive versions to be available from summer 2021) we expect the sprint to be covered in 3.0 seconds, or probably less. Top speed as always is limited to 155mph, rising to 180mph if the optional M Pro Package is specified. The new M3C Saloon and M4C Coupé occupy very different territory - one a saloon with space for five occupants, the other a four-seater coupé - but they both achieve their common goal
of delivering pure driving pleasure. Class-leading levels of standard equipment plus options that take individualisation to new heights, especially for racetrack outings, ensure both models will continue the success of their formidable predecessors. Optional equipment is offered in six main packages – Comfort, Technology Plus, Visibility, M Carbon, M Pro and Ultimate. Beyond these packages, there will be a select number of optional items including M Brakes in red, blue or black, M Carbon exterior, M Carbon seats and Park Assistant Plus with Drive Recorder. The new M3 Competition will be built at the Munich Plant, while the new M4 Competition will be produced at the Dingolfing Plant in East Bavaria, with the market launch for both models in March 2021. There are also non-competition versions of both cars with 48b0hp and a six-speed manual gearbox, but as we went to press it looks likely that BMW UK will only offer the Competition models here in the UK. The M3C is priced at £74,755 OTR in the UK and the M4C £76,055 OTR and both are available to order now. There is a multitude of information on both cars at www.BMW.co.uk
BMW introduces new 128ti model After an absence of more than 20 years, BMW’s legendary ‘ti’ model designation returns in the 1 Series line-up with the 128ti. Designed to deliver exceptional driving enjoyment, with M Sport specification as standard, the exclusively front-wheeldrive model fulfils its sporting promise. The 128ti is equipped with a Torsen limited-slip differential, specially tuned M Sport suspension, optimised eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission and a 2.0-litre, 265bhp/400Nm engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. Performance is brisk. The 0-60mph dash takes 5.8 seconds while top speed is limited to 155mph. Despite the lively performance, the 128ti returns combined fuel consumption of 44.1 – 46.3mpg and emits 148139g/km of CO2. The drivetrain includes the anti-roll bars and brakes from the flagship BMW M135i xDrive, it also features a sporty exterior and driver-focused interior that boasts exclusive details to distinguish it from other BMW 1 Series variants. It is also
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around 80kg lighter than the BMW M135i xDrive. The new 128ti is being launched this month and will be priced from £32,995 OTR – full details inc the spec etc is available at www.bmw.co.uk
www.bmwcarclubgb.uk
