BMW M4 Power And Poise For Road, Track, And Everything Else

The BMW M4 still lands a heavy punch. Built around a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six, an eight-speed automatic and xDrive that feels reassuringly rear-led, it delivers serious pace. The M4 Competition packs 523bhp and 650Nm, while the M4 CS nudges power to 543bhp with the same torque spread over a slightly broader band. On the road that translates to 0–62mph in as little as 3.4 seconds and, where permitted, up to 188mph. What matters more is how cleanly the engine pulls from low revs to the limiter, serving up relentless, usable shove.

Size and weight haven’t dulled its edge. At around 4.8 metres long and north of 1.8 tonnes, the M4 could feel cumbersome, yet the chassis makes light work of the mass. The nose keys in smartly, the car holds a chosen line with real authority and the rear axle digs in without drama. Toggle through the drive modes, and you can move from all-wheel drive to a rear-biased setup or even full rear-drive for extra adjustability. Ten-stage traction control, two brake-by-wire pedal maps and configurable steering, damping and gearbox responses let you tailor the car to road or track.

Day to day, it’s disarmingly easy to live with. Visibility is decent for a coupé, the steering is light at parking speeds and the gearbox slurs smoothly in traffic, though the ride is firmest around town. Settle onto a motorway and it relaxes into a composed cruise, with only the wide tyres adding a touch more road roar than a regular 4 Series. The six-cylinder note is more industrial than operatic, but it’s honest and mechanically rich; the bigger story is the measured, high-grip way the car deploys its performance in any weather.

Cabin quality feels properly stout. A curved 12.3-inch driver display sits alongside a 14.9-inch infotainment screen running BMW Operating System 8.5, and the rotary iDrive controller remains for quick, no-nonsense inputs. Carbon-backed bucket seats look the part and clamp you in place, though the leg divider won’t suit everyone; the standard sports chairs are a fine alternative. Practicality is a quiet win: a 440-litre boot, split-folding backrests and usable rear seats mean the M4 can carry kit as well as pace.

For most drivers, the BMW M4 Competition is the sweet spot, blending massive performance with long-legged usability and a broad setup window. The M4 CS sharpens responses and grip for those who’ll stretch its legs on the circuit. Either way, the M4 remains a compelling four-seat coupé that trades punches with dedicated sports cars while handling everyday duties without fuss.