It's Official: the BMW M4 Competition xDrive Can Compete with McLaren and Ferrari

TopSpeed

By Amreetam Basu

Published Jun 24, 2022

Supercar-like performance just because of the all-wheel-drive system?

Since its debut in 2015, the M4 has been just an M3 minus two doors, with blazing-fast performance and sleeker design. In its second generation, the G82 M4 arrived in 2021 with some serious design upgrades, which led to a lot of controversy regarding the whole kidney-grille design. But that part of the new M4 subsided with the massive jump in performance and the option of xDrive, introduced for 2021. Now, a recent report from Car and Driver shows how the M4 Competition xDrive can compete with supercars. The M4 Competition xDrive model clocked 0-60 in just 2.8 seconds! That is not just fast, but superfast.

The M4 Competition with the optional xDrive was launched in 2021, for $4,100 over the top-spec Competition model. With the xDrive system, the grip is excellent and it ultimately results in faster acceleration. Purists typically give away the idea of an all-wheel-drive system, as it “ruins the fun”, but you might not be one of them because who wouldn’t want more oomph when getting off the line?

Like the M3, the M4 is powered by the same S58 3.0-liter twin-turbo straight-six mill, but the standard M4 coupe produces 473 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque The Competition model, on the other hand, cranks out 503 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, all of which is delivered through a ZF-sourced eight-speed torque converter automatic gearbox. So with all of this power, how does it compare to the M3, its four-door twin? According to Car and Driver, they have tested both the rear-wheel-drive M3 Competition and the M4 Competition with the xDrive. The former does a 0-60 in 3.5 seconds, while the M4 Competition xDrive is 0.7 seconds faster, despite cranking out the same 503 ponies. Also, the AWD system added about 84 pounds, bringing the curb weight to just four pounds more than the SF90 Stradale’s 3,900 pounds.

Furthermore, the M4 Competition xDrive recorded a quarter-mile in 11 seconds with a trap speed of 125 MPH. Also, compared to the M3, the M4 launches better, thanks to the enhanced traction due to the all-wheel-drive system, and even has a 0.6 second better reaction time. Now, for less than $85,000, the M4 Competition xDrive’s performance is outstanding. For your reference, the Ferrari 488 can sprint to 60 MPH in 2.8 seconds, the same as the M4 Competition xDrive, while both are slightly faster than the McLaren 570S, which does the same in 3.2 seconds. Also, if the three cars race together, the Ferrari and McLaren would cross the quarter-mile mark first, but the M4 Competition xDrive wouldn’t be far off.

FAQ

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The Audi TT is widely regarded as one of the most popular and successful sports cars while the Audi R8 holds the title of the most recognizable supercar in the brand's history.