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Take a look at the new 2022 BMW M4 Competition Convertible with xDrive

Jun 2, 2021

BMW is proud to announce the third model in the M3 / M4 family – and the first all-wheel drive M4 Convertible to come from M GmbH. Open top motoring, thanks to the new soft-top, adds a new dimension of enjoyment to the already exhilarating performance of the new M4.

The new M4 Competition Convertible with xDrive channels the 503 hp and 479lb.-ft of torque developed by its S58 inline six-cylinder M TwinPower Turbo engine via an eight-speed M Steptronic transmission with Drivelogic and the M xDrive all-wheel drive system. The open-top, four-seater M4 promises and delivers an alluring design, luxurious appointments and everyday usability combined with track prowess.

U.S. production begins in September of 2021 with market launch taking place in October.

Panel bow soft-top roof
One of the special features which shape both the exterior design of the new BMW M4 Competition Convertible with xDrive and its driving experience is the new panel bow soft-top. This design combines the practical benefits of a retractable hardtop with the puristic aesthetic of a fabric roof – the best of both worlds. The panel bow soft-top is some 40 per cent lighter than the predecessor car’s retractable hardtop, effectively lowering the center of gravity of the new M4 Convertible, thus improving its agility. Its smooth surface and insulation provide the new roof with levels of acoustic and thermal comfort far superior to those of a conventional soft-top.

The design of the new soft-top combines large panel bow elements with a flush-fitting glass rear window, several layers of insulation and a fabric cover available in black or in Moonlight black, which gives the fabric a classy metallic shimmer, especially in direct sunlight. When closed, the innovative new roof creates a coupe-like roofline with the classical elegance of a soft-top. The fabric material lies flat on the joint-free arrangement of panel bow elements, meaning that neither their contours nor the soft-top frame is visible when viewing the roof from the outside. The soft-top pulls taut over the passenger cell when closed, which reduces wind noise in the cabin while optimizing the aerodynamic properties of the new BMW M4 Competition Convertible with xDrive.

Opening and closing the roof takes 18 seconds and can be performed at up to 31 mph. The three bow panels fold neatly into a compact Z configuration which can also be performed via the remote key thanks to the standard Comfort Access.

The compact dimensions of the folded soft-top increase cargo area to 9.0 cubic feet, an increase of 1.2 cubic feet over the previous M4 Convertible. The top features a safety mechanism which prevents it from being lowered if the trunk area is filled. A pass-through door in the rear seat allows for longer items to be carried inside the car.

Exterior Design
The new M4 Competition Convertible with xDrive is 4.6 inches longer than the model it replaces. The wheelbase has grown by 1.8 inches and its width by 0.7 inches. The new M4 Competition Convertible with xDrive is also 1.4 inches wider than the new 4 Series Convertible.

Powerfully contoured surfaces and M-specific design features – crafted to optimize the supply of cooling air and sharpen aerodynamics – are a hallmark of M car design and the new BMW M4 Competition Convertible with xDrive is no exception. The differentiation between the new M model and the new BMW 4 Series Convertible on which it is based is more striking than in any prior generation. Aside from the doors, soft-top, trunk lid, window surfaces, headlights and rear lights, every part of the exterior is unique to the M model, an exercise in meeting the exacting demands to which a high-performance sports car must rise. “The design is strictly function-led, puristic and uncompromising in its reduction to the essential aspects,” explains Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “But at the same time, it provides an emotionally powerful expression of the car’s character.”

At the center of the front-end design is the large, black, vertical frameless BMW kidney grille with the traditional M horizontal slats. A honeycomb mesh covers the large, two-section apertures on either side of the BMW kidney grille. These supply cooling air to the brakes and remote coolant radiators.

The lines of the front bumper and hood converge on the BMW kidney grille, as do the contours of the slim full-LED headlights with U-shaped fiber-optic light guides for the daytime driving lights. BMW Individual Shadowline lights, with darkened inlays adorning their upper edges, are also available as an option.

The most striking design feature alongside the prominently flared fenders of the new M4 Competition Convertible with xDrive are the extended side sills. Together with the aerodynamic components of the front and rear bumpers, which also jut out significantly, they form a high-gloss black band around the whole of the car. This functional, racing car-inspired design element, helps to further optimize the aerodynamic balance.

The M gills familiar from past and present cars are integrated neatly into the distinctive surfacing of the front side fenders. The M-specific exterior mirrors have been aerodynamically optimized and are painted in high-gloss black. The diffuser frames the exhaust system’s two pairs of 100 mm tailpipes.

Powertrain
Through constant development work, BMW M GmbH has boosted power in the new M4 Competition Convertible with xDrive by 59 hp and 73 lb-ft of torque over previous Competition package-equipped cars.

The Competition model’s S58 engine produces 503 hp at 6,250 rpm and 479 lb-ft of torque between 2,750 and 5,500 rpm and delivers 0 to 60 mph acceleration time of 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph, or 174 mph, with the optional M Driver’s Package. The engine can rev to a redline of 7,200 rpm.

The rigid closed-deck engine block features wire-arc sprayed cylinder liners to reduce both friction and weight. A forged, lightweight crankshaft reduces rotating mass to improve high rpm characteristics. The cylinder head features a 3D-printed core which allows for optimized coolant passage routing and weight reduction.

Forced induction is provided by two, mono-scroll turbochargers with electronically controlled wastegates and efficient air-to-water intercooling. The quick response of the wastegates allows for quicker turbocharger response and for more efficient function of the catalytic converters which are positioned close to the engine.

The High-Precision Injection system operates at over 5,000 psi, ensuring precise and very fine fuel atomization for not only more efficient power production but also improved emissions. BMW VALVETRONIC variable-valve timing and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing do their part in the high-revving engines’ smooth and efficient power delivery.

Standard Equipment
• Power folding insulated soft-top.
• 503 hp / 479 lb-ft of torque
• 19-inch / 20-inch Bi-color alloy wheels
• 8-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission
• M xDrive all-wheel drive
• M Sport rear differential
• Adaptive M Suspension
• M Drive modes
• Power, heated front M Sport seats with lumbar support
• Rear view camera
• Ambient interior lighting
• M Seat belts
• Anthracite headliner
• Aluminum Tetragon interior trim
• Park distance control
• Automatic high beams
• Automatic climate control
• Dynamic cruise control
• Extended Shadowline exterior trim
• Tire pressure monitor
• Mobility tire inflator kit
• Alarm system
• Comfort access keyless entry
• Auto dimming exterior and interior mirrors
• Live Cockpit Professional with iDrive 7
• Harman-Kardon surround sound audio
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
• SiriusXM with 360L and 1-year all-access subscription
• Connected Package Pro
• ConnectedDrive Services
• Active Protection
• Automatic front seat belt tensioning
• Automatic closing of windows and moonroof
• Fatigue and Focus Alert
• Post-crash braking
• Active Driving Assistant
• Lane Departure Warning
• Speed limit Information
• Active Blind Spot Detection
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Rear Collision Preparation