BMW has thrown an extra 20 hp at its already-powerful M3 Competition models, taking the oomph to 530 hp while updating the styling.
The M3 Competition is, of course, the performance sibling to the regular BMW 3 Series (which has also been updated this week) and it’s available to lease as either an M3 Saloon or M3 Touring estate.
While the M3 Competition was previously available with either rear-wheel drive or ‘xDrive’ all-wheel drive, it looks like BMW will now be offering its hot saloon and estate exclusively as 4x4s, which might not go down well with BMW purists.
But it does mean that all M3 models now boast power of 530 hp, courtesy of a 3.0-litre straight six, twin turbo engine, which is up on the outgoing rear-wheel drive variant’s 510 hp.
Acceleration is rapid, aided by 650 Nm of torque, with 0-62 mph going by in 3.5 seconds for the Saloon and 3.6 seconds for the Touring estate.
The increased output of the two all-wheel-drive models is also reflected in 0-124 mph times that are 0.5 seconds quicker in each case - with the Saloon hitting that target in 11.8 seconds and the Touring with 12.4 seconds.
Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph as standard but if you go for the optional ‘M Driver’s Package’ this figure rises to 180 mph for the saloon and 174 mph for the Touring model.
BMW turned to its motorsports know-how in order to hone the M3’s engine, adopting 3D-printing for the cylinder head, among other things, to optimise cooling.
And all of that power is channelled to the road by way of an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic with steering wheel paddles that’s fitted as standard.
While there’s no rear-wheel drive M3 Competition, BMW says the all-wheel drive system is at least rear-biased, and it also features an Active M Differential at the rear axle.
Hit the ‘4WD Sport’ mode via the M Setup menu and more power is sent to the rear wheels for ‘even more agile handling’, says BMW. Switching off DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) also brings 2WD mode into play, which means power is sent exclusively to the rear wheels for when you want to go sideways around a race circuit in a cloud of tyre smoke.
Compound brakes with blue callipers are fitted as standard while carbon ceramic brakes are an option. You get 19-inch alloys on the front, 20-inch rims at the rear.
Because the M3 Competition is designed to be as composed on the track as it is on the school run, all models come with a full suite of driver assistance and safety features, including parking sensors, front collision warning with brake intervention and lane departure warning with steering assistance.
You also get BMW’s Curved Display, which comprises a 12.3-inch digital cockpit and a 14.9-inch control infotainment screen, and sat nav as standard.
When it comes to the M3 Competition’s looks, there are newly-designed LED lights at the front and rear, new steering wheels and interior trim elements, and a ‘stripped-back’ design for the cabin which ‘provides an instant hit of motor sport DNA’, according to the German manufacturer.
Prices to buy outright start at £82,420 for the Saloon and £84,700 for the Touring estate. Production begins in July 2024 and order books will open later this summer.
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