Competition hots up with potent BMWs

TWO new high-performance cars are joining the BMW stable as the Bavarian auto maker introduces Competition specification models to its M3 and M4 ranges.

The cars are powered by 3.0-litre straight-six turbo engines and are priced from £74,755 for the M3 and £76,055 for the M4 coupe.

With 510hp available, the cars have blistering performance, with 0-62mph acceleration of 3.9 seconds and top speeds restricted to 155mph. Fuel economy is rated at 27.7mpg, with emissions of 234g/km.

Maximum speed can be increased to 180mph with an optional M Pro Package.

Both have eight-speed automatic transmissions and are set up for use on the road and on the track, with three main drive modes and exhaust systems that have electrically controlled flaps to deliver the cars’ soundtrack.

The cars are being released now and from the summer they will also be offered with all-wheel-drive set ups – the first time in the 35-year history of the M3 that such a configuration has been available.

Both are fitted with active suspension and a host of technological functions, including a “drift monitor” that records the amount of oversteer and understeer when track driving.

Other features include a fully digitised display panel and wi-fi connectivity, enabling the use of BMW’s online services, while options include an M Carbon styling pack and the M Pro Package.

The latter, offered for the first time on the cars, combines M Carbon ceramics with the M Driver package for those who are focussed on using their car on race circuits.