IN OUR RELENTLESS QUEST to ensure that you spend all your money rather than leave it to undeserving (and almost certainly ungrateful) offspring, here is our latest temptation.
The all-new BMW M4 Competition Convertible with xDrive, which had its world premiere on 26 May, will arrive in BMW Australia showrooms by the end of this year.
The new model further expands BMW M’s line-up and provides customers an exhilarating offering that brings together open top thrills and superior performance.
Innovative new panel bow softtop roof, dynamic lines and distinctive aura
The new BMW M4 Competition Convertible with M xDrive features a new panel bow softtop roof that combines the practical benefits of a retractable hardtop with the classically elegant aesthetic of a fabric hood.
It also stands out in the area of weight, being some 40 percent lighter than the predecessor car’s retractable hardtop.
The softtop’s electric drive mechanism allows it to be opened or closed while on the move at the touch of a button, with the process taking just 18 seconds to complete (and at our age, every second is valuable).
When driving with the top down, the boot can hold 300 litres of luggage, an increase of 80 litres on the previous generation M4 Convertible model.
Upon closure of the roof, the variable softtop compartment increases load capacity to 385 litres.
The body’s dynamic lines set a distinctive tone of sporting elegance with the roof open or closed.
All lines at the front end of the car converge on the large, vertical BMW kidney grille.
Together with the large apertures to either side, the kidney grille ensures sufficient cooling air is channelled through to the powertrain and braking system at all times, even when the driver is challenging the car dynamically.
Adaptive LED Headlights with BMW Laserlight, which are standard on Australian-delivered cars, provide an aggressive appearance while delivering outstanding levels of illumination.
Other unmistakeable design elements include powerfully flared wheel arches, M Side Gills integrated into the front side panels and prominently extended side sills which combine with the attachment parts for the front and rear aprons to form a striking black band around the entire car.
The black rear diffuser frames the exhaust system’s two pairs of tailpipes, which is a renowned BMW M touch.
An M Carbon exterior package – which includes a front bumper, mirror caps and rear diffuser all fashioned from lightweight carbon fibre – is available as an option.
Six-cylinder in-line powerplant with high-revving character
The 3.0-litre six-cylinder in-line engine at the heart of the new BMW M4 Competition Convertible with M xDrive combines the hallmark high-revving character of engines developed by BMW M with the latest version of M TwinPower Turbo technology.
The engine stands out with its sustained linear power delivery into the upper echelons of the engine speed range. It generates peak torque of 650Nm between 2750 and 5500rpm, while its maximum output of 375kW is reached at 5510rpm and then maintained up to the 7200rpm red line.
The engine channels its power via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. This performance skillset, combined with the enhanced traction offered by M xDrive, translates into stunning acceleration times.
The new BMW M4 Competition Convertible with M xDrive takes just 3.7 seconds to power from 0 to 100km/h and 13.1 seconds to reach 200km/h from rest.
The midrange surge from 80 to 120 km/h is completed in 2.8 seconds (in fourth gear) or 3.7 seconds (in fifth gear).
As with the cooling system, the system of oil supply has been designed to handle extremely dynamic driving situations on the track.
The M-specific exhaust system with electrically controlled flaps delivers an emotionally rich soundtrack that adds a key element to the overall performance experience, particularly when the car’s roof is open.
M xDrive: precise power distribution, supreme performance
The M xDrive all-wheel-drive system deployed in the new BMW M4 Competition Convertible with M xDrive uses an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch in the transfer case to ensure fully variable and smooth distribution of the engine’s power between the front and rear wheels.
Its rear-wheel bias adds to the signature M feeling while enhancing both traction and agility.
The multi-plate clutch’s oil supply has been optimised to enable sustained all-wheel-drive performance even during hard track driving. M xDrive teams up with the Active M Differential at the rear axle.
The Setup menu allows the driver to change the default 4WD setting to 4WD Sport mode, which directs a greater proportion of the engine’s drive to the rear wheels.
Drivers can also switch off the DSC system altogether and engage 2WD mode. In this setting, drive power is relayed solely to the rear wheels and there is no intervention from the chassis control systems to stabilise the vehicle. Skilled drivers can thus enjoy a richly involving driving experience.
Model-specific body stiffening and chassis technology
The handling qualities of the new model are headlined by supreme steering precision, neutral steering behaviour even at the limit and a linear build-up of lateral forces throughout the full range of lateral acceleration.
The high torsional stiffness of the body structure and chassis mountings creates the ideal basis for precisely controllable handling, even in extremely dynamic driving situations.
Key features include an aluminium shear panel in the front-end structure, underfloor bracing elements and a rear axle subframe with a rigid connection to the body.
A model-specific feature has also been included in the form of torsion struts at the rear of the body.
A bespoke version of the double-joint spring strut front axle also factors in the specific demands associated with all-wheel-drive, featuring specially adapted axle geometry and an individually tuned steering ratio.
The five-link rear axle on the new BMW M4 Competition Convertible with M xDrive boasts meticulously refined kinematics and elastokinematics.
Forged M light-alloy wheels measuring 19 inches in diameter at the front axle and 20 inches at the rear are also on the standard equipment roster.
The M Servotronic steering facilitates accurate turn-in when powering through bends and effortless parking and manoeuvring. It does so by combining the benefits of speed-sensitive power assistance and a variable steering ratio.
The new BMW M4 Competition Convertible with M xDrive is also fitted as standard with adaptive M suspension that integrates electronically controlled dampers.
Two brake pedal feel settings, 10 traction control stages
The integrated braking system fitted in the new BMW M4 Competition Convertible with M xDrive initiates the required brake pressure exceptionally quickly and precisely using an electric actuator.
Both the standard M Compound brakes and the optional M Carbon ceramic brakes link up with the system. The M-specific version of this technology also presents the driver with two pedal feel settings.
The range of functions of the DSC stability control system includes M Dynamic Mode, which allows extra wheel slip at the push of a button.
Drivers also benefit from the new M Traction Control function, which is standard on Australian models.
This innovative form of traction control allows the driver to set individual intervention thresholds for wheel slip limitation through 10 stages.
M Carbon bucket seats and M-specific control and operation system
The interior of the new M4 Competition Convertible with M xDrive blends a contemporary premium ambience with BMW M’s customary penchant for racing flair.
The M leather steering wheel with gearshift paddles, M-specific gearshift lever and red colour accents keep the driver concentrating squarely on the intense driving experience at hand.
Electrically adjustable and heated M Sport seats, Merino leather trim and Air Collar come as standard, while seat ventilation is available for the first time as optional equipment.
The optional M Carbon bucket seats feature a structure-based design that fuses racing functionality with a lightweight construction.
They provide comfort over long distances while showcasing sumptuous workmanship (try them before you specify them: you may prefer the greater comfort of the standard M Sport seats).
The M-specific control/operation system of the BMW M4 Competition Convertible with M xDrive includes the Setup button on the centre console. This provides direct access to the settings options for the engine, chassis, steering, braking system and M xDrive.
Two overall vehicle setups can be stored and called up by pressing one of the M buttons on the steering wheel. The M Drive Professional system, meanwhile, has been designed for track use.
Alongside M Traction Control, it also comprises the M Drift Analyser and M Laptimer, which records particularly sporty driving manoeuvres. The control panel on the centre console also houses the M Mode button as standard.
This can be used to adjust the responses and characteristics of the driver assistance systems and the displays in the instrument cluster and Head-Up Display to deliver a driving experience suited to the situation at hand.
The driver can choose from ROAD, SPORT and TRACK mode, the latter thanks to standard fitment of M Drive Professional.
Also available as an option is the M Carbon Package, which reduces weight by around 25 kilograms compared with cars in standard specification.
This package includes M Carbon ceramic brakes, M Carbon exterior package and M Carbon bucket seats.
High level of standard equipment and advanced technology
Standard equipment includes three-zone automatic climate control, LED interior lighting with ambient lighting and a powerful Harmon Kardon surround sound speaker system to enhance comfort in everyday driving and over longer journeys.
The BMW Live Cockpit Professional with a fully digital display grouping and the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant also come as standard.
The technological progress made since the predecessor model is also reflected in the significantly expanded availability of driving assistance systems.
Among the most significant additions are the Steering and Lane Control Assistant – which are part of Driving Assistant Professional – and Reversing Assistant.
Pricing
Well, BMW haven’t seen fit to provide us with pricing as yet, but be assured it will take a chunk out of your nest egg. We’ll tell you just how much of a chunk when we find out. And then you can decide whether to reveal the price to your offspring.