2021 BMW M3 Saloon Competition [UK]

Thirty five years after the debut of the first BMW M3, BMW has presented the latest generation of its high-performance models that fuse track-focused performance with everyday usability.

The new BMW M3 Competition Saloon and new BMW M4 Competition 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.

Under the bonnet of the new BMW M3 Competition Saloon and new BMW M4 Competition Coupé lies a 510hp high-revving straight-six engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology, which teams up with an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission as it sends its power to the rear wheels.

Both models will also be available (from summer 2021) with M xDrive, which offers even greater directional stability and supreme traction without compromising on agility.

The new BMW M3 Competition Saloon is built at BMW Plant Munich, while the new BMW M4 Competition Coupé is produced at BMW Plant Dingolfing. The market launch in the UK for both models is Saturday 13 March, 2021.

Straight-six engine delivers high performance in signature M high-revving style

The engine powering the new high-performance models sets a new high point in terms of output and torque for six-cylinder in-line petrol units from BMW. The power unit offers 60hp more than the maximum output of its predecessor models and increases its peak torque by 100Nm.

The new 3.0-litre straight-six engine combines the hallmark high-revving character of BMW M engines with the latest version of M TwinPower Turbo technology. The engine maintains peak torque up to the moment where maximum output is reached: 650Nm is on tap between 2,700 and 5,500rpm, from when maximum output of 510hp is sustained up to the 7,200rpm red line.

The M3 Competition Saloon and M4 Competition Coupé accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 3.9 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155mph, rising to 180mph if the optional M Pro Package is specified.

Integrated braking system with two pedal feel settings

In standard form, the newly developed M Compound brakes comprise six-piston fixed-calliper brakes with 380mm discs at the front and single-piston floating-calliper brakes (including parking brake) with 370mm discs at the rear. The callipers are available for the first time in either black or red in addition to the blue callipers known from the predecessor models; all bear the M logo.

The optional M Carbon ceramic brakes, available as part of the M Pro Package, offer even stronger braking power and durability. Their callipers - painted in Gold metallic - engage with 400mm discs at the front and 380mm items at the rear.

A shared feature of both brake variants is the integrated braking system, where the brake actuation, braking force assistance and braking control functions are brought together within a compact module. The integrated braking system allows vehicle deceleration to be geared precisely to the driver's requirements.