BMW Reveals the First-Ever X3 M and X4 M Models
Dual exhaust system with electrically controlled flaps and four tailpipes.
The exhaust system designed for the first-ever X3 M and X4 M not only delivers reduced backpressure but also a stirring soundtrack. The dual-branch pipework releases the exhaust gas – in customary M fashion – through two pairs of 100 millimeter tailpipes.
Electrically controlled flaps help to produce the rich engine note for which BMW M cars are renowned. The nature of the soundtrack takes its cues from the selected engine mode; standard setting, SPORT or SPORT+. Standard specification for the Competition models includes the M Sport exhaust system, which gives the engine a pleasingly sonorous tone, especially when it is being pushed hard and at high revs. Its continuously variable exhaust flaps create a particularly broad range of sound.
Eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic and three shift modes.
The new, high-performance S58 engine is linked up with the latest version of the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic. As well as fully automated gear changes, the M Steptronic also enables manual shifts with sequential gear selection via either the gear selector lever or steering wheel-mounted shift paddles. The M Steptronic delivers instantaneous response and lightning-fast gear changes.
The driver can use the gear selector lever’s Drivelogic switch to adjust the transmission’s shift characteristics in both automatic and manual modes. Drivelogic mode 1 aids relaxed driving with smooth gear changes, while switching to mode 2 increases the sport factor with shorter shift times. The third mode makes gear changes even faster and sharper. Here, the transmission holds the engine in its upper rev range, helping the driver to push the dynamic envelope and maximize the powertrain’s performance on the track.
M xDrive all-wheel drive: maximum traction, rear-wheel-biased set-up.
The new M xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system plays a very important part in giving the first-ever BMW X3 M, BMW X4 M and Competition models their wide-ranging performance capabilities. The system blends the traction-related benefits of sending power to all four wheels with the proven dynamic qualities of classical rear-wheel drive. The electronically controlled M xDrive, which works in tandem with the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system, only sends power to the front wheels when the rear wheels reach the limits of their traction.
As well as modifying the responses of the DSC system, drivers can adjust the distribution of power between the front and rear wheels at the touch of a button. M Dynamic Mode – which can be activated as an alternative to the standard DSC setting – gives the driver access to the M xDrive 4WD Sport option. This sends even more power to the rear wheels, enabling controlled drifts for example. DSC Off mode (with DSC deactivated), meanwhile, has been optimized for dynamic track driving situations and can be combined with the standard all-wheel-drive setting 4WD or with 4WD Sport mode.
The centrally-controlled interaction between M xDrive and the rear Active M Differential is responsible for channeling the engine’s immense output through the car’s wheels with as little en route loss of power as possible. Torque is distributed between the front and rear wheels seamlessly by means of the transfer case’s electronically controlled multiplate clutch, before the Active M Differential varies the rear lockup between 0 and 100%, as the situation demands. This ensures enhanced traction, agility and directional stability, especially when the car is being driven in a very sporty manner or on roads with differing levels of grip. All of which means stabilizing interventions by the DSC system are only necessary in extreme situations.
Chassis developed for everyday comfort and class leading handling.
The combination of agility and precision, for which BMW M cars are renowned, is built upon sophisticated, model-specific chassis technology carefully tuned to match the engine’s high power and to the capabilities of the M xDrive all-wheel-drive system. This gives both the BMW X3 M and BMW X4 M and their Competition siblings handling capabilities that eclipse their rivals.
Their outstanding levels of performance in terms of straight-line and lateral acceleration, handling and stopping power are complemented by excellent directional stability, neutral steering behavior and comfort-enhancing characteristics that lend themselves to all types of driving conditions. The finely orchestrated blend of the engine’s power, the transmission and M xDrive system, the chassis’ set-up and the body’s attributes have been honed in exhaustive testing at venues including the BMW Group’s test track in Miramas, southern France and the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit.
Far-reaching measures for strengthening the body and suspension mounting points have a beneficial effect on steering precision and response. The first-ever BMW X3 M, BMW X4 M and Competition models all come with an M-specific bracing package at the front end, whose key element is a high-precision strut brace in the engine compartment that links the shock towers. In August 2019, an exceptionally light, extremely strong high-precision strut brace made from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) is set to join the options list as an alternative to the standard item. In addition, an A-strut has been incorporated into the front section near the firewall, with two further struts increasing stiffness between the shock towers and the front of the car. The body’s torsional stiffness is further enhanced by a large rear brace and model-specific rear axle control arms.
BMW Reveals the First-Ever X3 M and X4 M Models continued…
