Ready to race
BMW’s M cars are the result of speed-hungry engineers, writes Derek McNaughton.
We all know BMW’s M division is where regular BMWs go to become real performance cars. Initially created to facilitate BMW’s racing program, M (for motorsport) cars are what happens when speed-addicted engineers get their way.
M cars are given more power, better handling, superior braking, performance suspensions and more design bits than their base counterparts. Before 2010, when the X5 M and X6 M came along, no BMW SUV with all-wheel drive had ever received an M badge. Now that special status is moving down to the X3 and X4 for 2020. And there are two additional sub models: the X3 M Competition and X4 M Competition.
Immediately identified by intakes big enough to swallow rabbits, the X3 M and X4 M also show their lineage with a unique black grille, breather gills in the front fenders, and quad ovals nested in an M-specific rear bumper. Wheel arches are painted instead of being boring black plastic, mirrors are those cool aerodynamic ears from other M cars, and the rear hatch is crowned with a unique spoiler.
But the real jewel sits under their sharply creased hoods. An all-new “S58” straight-six engine — seeing its debut in these four models — feels smoother and more refined than any previous BMW straight-six. The exhaust note is distinctive, raspy and can be quieted or made louder by a button on the centre console. Far more seductive is the broad torque band of the new all-aluminum heart, pulling strongly at 2,600 rpm, and all the way to 5,600 before tapering at its redline of 7,200. The engine sends 442 pound-feet of torque to the pavement. Such a deep well of power makes passing other cars effortless, with 473 horsepower on tap, and 503 for Competition models, though M and Competition models have the same torque.
At the Monticello Motor Club, north of New York City, the X4 M Competition proved it can happily adapt to the track. The engine, 11 kilograms lighter than the M4 Coupe, gets a forged crank and pistons, and the twin turbochargers are integrated into the exhaust manifolds. Two, single-scroll turbochargers with upgraded compressor wheels blast air into the cylinders, aided by a water-to-air intercooler and an air-intake system designed to reduce pressure losses, while an electronically controlled waste-gate enhances turbo response.
The engine is so incredibly smooth, it masks the tactile engine feedback that is normally a welcome partner at the track. But these are luxurious SUVs meant to coddle occupants, not track weapons. It’s easy to hit the rev limiter in manual mode if not watching the tach, which thankfully can be configured to display in the head-up display. And while turbo lag was totally absent during our street drive, some was noticeable while flogging the X4 M Competition at the track.
Yes, we had no trouble getting close to 240 km/h. It is limited to 280 km/h in the regular M and 285 km/h for the Competition models, with zero to 100 km/h reached in 4.2 seconds and 4.1 for the Competition. But the weight and height of these vehicles makes them less impressive than their M3 or M4 siblings.
Two drive modes — M1 and M2 — calibrate the suspension and AWD characteristics. M1, activated by a red button on the steering wheel, sets up sport mode, sending more power to the rear wheels for some light drifts before the stability control will engage. Power flows to the front wheels only when the rear wheels lose traction. M2 mode will deactivate stability completely for full-on hooliganism, and the Active M rear differential varies the rear lockup between 0 and 100 per cent, as the situation demands. Electromechanical M Servotronic steering stiffens as speed increases, and feedback is good. The eight-speed Steptronic sport transmission can be shifted automatically or on full manual, changing gears as quickly as Porsche’s PDK. It’s an ideal setup — and plenty of fun — for some occasional track time to totally destroy those Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires.
The other huge appeal of these models, other than their sticker price — $82,700 for the X3 M, $84,300 for the X4 M — is their beautiful interiors, including standard sports seats, Vernasca leather upholstery and interior trim strips in aluminum and carbon fibre. The M leather steering wheel could not feel more perfect.
Competition versions ($93,000 for X3 M, $94,600 for X4 M) get standard M Sport seats in extended Merino leather. And aside from the 30-hp increase, they also get 21-inch wheels, a sport exhaust, high-gloss black trim and a Harman Kardon sound system.
BMW expects 30 per cent of these newest M models will be sold in North America, where last year the X3 was the automaker’s top-selling model. Expect to see them arrive in dealerships in July.