PEAK PERFORMANCE

Since BMW’s first M model came out in 1978, the performance line from the Munich brand has pushed the limits in presenting cars that combine heart-stopping performance and the comfort of taking to the roads on a regular basis. The all-new exciting BMW M3 Competition, the two-door M4 Competition Coupé, and the muscular M5 Competition continue to blaze a new frontier for the famed Munich brand.

All three M models affirm BMW’s claim at the top of the premium end of the midsize class, delivering unmatchable high performance combined with daily usability. The elegance and sophistication in the exterior silhouettes of these models belie the raw, adrenaline-pumping nature of their on-road capabilities. While upholding the DNA of BMW’s M thoroughbreds, the new models spearhead an exciting new era in the family.

Visually, all three cars boast BMW’s new design language spoken loudly through the new enlarged kidney shape grille with hallmark horizontal bars for the M3 and M4 Competition, and vertical ones for the M5 Competition. Wheel arches in the M3 Competition and M4 Competition are powerfully sculpted and highlighted by M gills. M-specific exterior mirrors are in high-gloss black, allowing them to stand out. Rear spoilers, and the two pairs of exhaust tailpipes finished in Black Chrome continue to be hallmarks of the M line, and complete a rear-end profile that blends performance with design style.

In the M5 Competition, the front apron now has larger air intakes that are rendered darker by reflecting less light. The hexagonal center air intake incorporates the oil cooler along with the optional radar sensor for the Active Cruise Control system. The entire rear apron is given a more muscular restyling with its large diffuser and the new three-dimensional aura of the LED lights.

The mesh on the M gills, exterior mirror caps, and surrounding rear spoiler on the boot lid all have a high-gloss black finish. Black M5 Competition badges in select spots, including an illuminated version on the door sill plates, make a statement that this is an ultimate, high-performance business sedan bar none.

While the three cars proudly wear the M badge with aplomb, they populate different categories of the market.

The M3 Competition is a four-door, do-it-all sedan with space for five passengers and is the sixth generation of the line. The second-generation BMW M4 Competition is a four-seater coupé that combines practicality with panache. Both offer unbridled power in the likes of a high-revving engine that is able to push out 510bhp and get from 0-100km/h in 3.9 skimpy seconds. This effortless acceleration is rendered seamlessly with the eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission that ensures smooth gear changes throughout the drive.

The BMW M3 Competition and BMW M4 Competition share the 3.0-liter, straight-six powerhouse that reflects the reputed character of the BMW M GmbH engines. The M TwinPower Turbo technology offers instantaneous power that kicks in smoothly when the cars are pushed through their paces.

What the BMW M3 Competition and BMW M4 Competition Coupé can do on the road leaves little to be desired. With a hefty 650Nm of torque, the cars are able to negotiate tight turns, pull away from trouble, and accelerate without breaking a sweat.

The M5 Competition takes performance a few steps further with its 4.4-litre, V8 engine, also equipped with M TwinPower Turbo. With a maximum output of 625 hp at 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 750 Nm, the BMW M5 sheds its elegant facade in a wink of an eye to reveal a monster that will have your heart racing, especially given the heart-stopping 3.3 seconds it takes to get from a standing start to 100 km/h.

Together, the three models unequivocally showcase the authenticity and sportiness derived from the BMW M line and underscore their reputations as being the most distinctive cars in their respective ranges.

Power is nothing without control and handling. In these departments, the cars set the standard against which all others will likely be measured.

In the M3 Competition and M4 Competition, the staggered setup of 19-inch front wheels and 20-inch in the rear provides more precise handling than ever. The M-specific body construction also offers more rigidity that adds to the cars’ agility and dynamism. Furthermore, power steering is enhanced with the new M Servotronic that not only improves handling, but fuel consumption as well.

For the first time ever, both these cars have M Traction Control adjustable through ten stages, integrated with a wheel-slip limitation function. Drivers also have the benefit of two different brake response and pedal feel settings to suit their preferences. What this means is that the M3 Competition and M4 Competition allows customisation on road response more than ever. On top of that, Dynamic Stability Control comes standard and is now upgraded with the M Dynamic Mode that allows for a whole new sporty driving experience that also includes drifting capability.

Gear changes are incredibly quick and unnoticeable in the rear-wheel drive M3 Competition and M4 Competition with help from the eight-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission. Customization of driving style and preference is also available depending on your mood or road demands. Drivelogic is integrated into the selector lever, letting drivers choose from three different setups – comfort-oriented, sports-focused, or track optimized – in both automatic and manual.

The BMW M5 Competition further offers handling refinements that are as technologically up-to-date as they are sublime to the experience. Like its brethren, the car also boasts the M-specific chassis and M Servotronic steering, but BMW M GmbH has also opted to install the rear-wheel-biased M xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system in the new model. Working together with the M Differential, the xDrive manages power distribution to the front and rear wheels depending on data obtained from the car. As futuristic as this sounds, the key benefit of this is enhanced safety through impeccable road handling on all types of terrain and driving conditions, while pushing the limits of performance as far as it can go.

Setup on all three cars are easily accessible from the center console allowing for adjustments to the engine, chassis, steering and braking system, plus traction control. Efficient, Sport and Sport Plus can be selected to alter the engine’s characteristics, while Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus may be used to electronically control the suspension.

In the M3 Competition and M4 Competition, two individually composed settings can be stored and conveniently recalled via the M button on the steering wheel. And in the all-wheel xDrive M5 Competition, there is a 2WD, pure rear-wheel drive mode with no Dynamic Stability Control that offers unadulterated driving pleasure.

The power of the BMW M5 Competition requires the best in stopping capability. M compound brakes that are significantly lighter than conventional cast-iron versions now come standard. The perforated, inner-vented front brake discs are rendered unique by six-piston fixed calipers that are emblazoned with the M logo. At the rear, the single-piston floating-calipers with integrated parking brake can now be painted in high-gloss black or high-gloss red as an option. To really stand out, buyers can also opt for the M Carbon ceramic brakes with gold-coloured calipers with the M logo.

BMW has even taken the aural feedback of the three cars into consideration. The acoustic sensation is highly impressive with the exhaust system’s “soundtrack” accentuating the engine’s high-revving inclination and linear power delivery. If it’s not up to your liking, the electrically controlled, fully adjustable flaps suppress intrusive frequency to make it easier on the ears. What’s more, inside, changing from Sport or Sport + mode, or adjusting the M Sound Control button, also alters the timbre and intensity of the engine roar.

Inside, designers have designed a cockpit that is ergonomically and puts the focus totally on the driving experience. M-specific display and controls let drivers get the most of their high-performance automobiles. Newly developed M sport seats come standard and are electrically adjustable and come in Merino full leather. For those desiring an even purer racing feel, BMW offers the M Carbon bucket seats for the M3 Competition and M4 Competition as an option. These come with removable head rests to accommodate for the driver’s racing helmet for his track escapades

The interiors of the BMW M5 Competition reflect the efforts taken to raise the driving experience through luxurious technology. The new operating concept with a larger 12.3-inch central display makes the car more driver-centric than ever.

Two new buttons on the center console give drivers more direct access to settings and displays in the instrument cluster and Head-Up Display.

Pressing the M Mode button allows a toggle between Road and Sport settings, holding it down engages the TRACK mode, a setting that is exclusively used on race circuits. The same is also available in the M3 Competition and M4 Competition.

BMW takes Head-Up Display to a new level in the M5 Competition. In M View, a tachometer with colored warning zones appear, and shift lights hint at the best time to change gears. Navigation, distance warnings, vehicle speed, and gear, as well as any speed limit or overtaking restrictions detected by the onboard Speed Limit Info system, are also displayed, stretching the capabilities of the Head-Up Display to greater heights.

M Sport seats with embossed M logos adorn the M5 Competition and lets drivers and passengers make a slew of clever adjustments that include seat cushion depth, pneumatic backrest width, and memory positions for the driver. Like the BMW M3 Competition and BMW M4 Competition, upholstery comes with Merino trim as standard, with the BMW M5 Competition offering Merino full leather trim in Black/Midrand Beige as an exclusive option

If you enjoy owning cars with that element of uniqueness, a special Launch Edition of the BMW M3 Competition and M4 Competition are also available. These come with the M Carbon exterior package that comprises newly designed wide-front air intakes, a rear diffuser – with geometry individual to both models – exterior mirror caps and rear spoiler made from high-end carbon fibre reinforced polymer. Both models also come in 826 M Bicolour Black and an exclusive double-spoke wheel design.

Over the last four decades, BMW’s M series has given drivers the best of two worlds – the experience of race-track prowess, and the convenience and comfort of everyday driving. With the BMW M3 Competition, M4 Competition and M5 Competition, it continues to set the standard in a business saloon car that delivers breath-taking performance.

The all-new BMW M3 Competition, BMW M4 Competition and BMW M5 competition are all available now for test drives at Performance Munich Autos showrooms. Take one out for a spin today and see how you can be part of the continuing legacy of BMW M series.

Link to test drive booking page.