Are you a fan of BMW M vehicles?
BMW has been putting track-worthy vehicles on the streets for 40 years under the M badge. This special assortment of coupes, convertibles, sedans, and SUVs take high performance to an entirely different level of motorsport excellence.
BMW M vehicles have custom enhancements to their transmissions, suspension systems and other racing-inspired upgrades to their powertrains that enable everyday drivers to feel more like racecar drivers, even on their daily commute.
The M performance engines are tuned with precision to deliver the maximum amount of power for a rip-roaring throttle note. The sound of a M twin-turbo coming up the block is almost unmistakable. That belligerent exhaust roar is like a challenge to both the driver of the vehicle and anyone else on the road who dares to keep up.
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Here’s a Closer Look at the Different 2021 BMW M Vehicles
2021 BMW M2 Competition Coupe
The entry vehicle to the BMW M collection is the M2 Competition Coupe. It can travel from zero to 60 MPH in about 4.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 174 miles per hour. It has a 3.0 Liter, twin turbo straight 6 engine that produces 410 horsepower and 406 pound feet of torque. For a stock sports car, that’s a remarkable amount of performance potential on tap.
Driving purists will laud the manual 6 speed gearbox. Motorists who want to ease into the deep end of the speed pool might be better served using the 7-speed double clutch automatic. The M2 Competition has both.
The M2 has classic sports coupe proportions. It has a black gloss kidney grille, 19-inch wheels and quad black chrome exhaust tips. The interior is dark and functional. It has carbon fiber inlays and black Dakota leather sports seats with blue contrast stitching.
BMW offers an even more powerful M2, but you’ll likely have trouble finding one on dealership lots. It’s the limited edition 2021 BMW M2 CS. It’s one of the fastest coupes on the market. Output has been boosted to 444 horsepower and a zero to 60 time of 3.8 seconds. The M2 CS has limited-slip differential, performance racing tires and adaptive M suspension. Drive straight from the office to the track if you like. You’ll surely be first in line.
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2021 BMW M3 and M3 Competition
The 2021 BMW M3 sedan is sporting a brand-new design for its sixth generation outing. The signature BMW kidney grille has been completely reshaped vertically. The front end also has intelligent LED headlights and an aggressive-looking bonnet with bold cuts in the lower portion of the front fascia.
The profile has dramatic side gills and a deep contour line to accentuate the low center of gravity of the M3. The roof is carbon fiber, and the rear has a new bumper design, too. The 2021 BMW M3 sedan has an assertive style that only hints at the performance capabilities imbued within the vehicle.
There is an M3 and M3 Competition sedan available from BMW. The M3 has a 3.0 Liter twin turbo inline 6 with rear wheel drive and a manual transmission. It produces 473 horsepower and 406 lb. ft. of torque. The M3 Competition model boosts performance to an output of 503 horsepower and 479 lb. ft. of torque. The M3 Competition loses the manual gearbox in place of the 8-speed M Steptronic automatic transmission.
2021 BMW M4 and M4 Competition
The 2021 BMW M4 comes as a coupe or convertible. The new M4 has the same vertically oriented kidney grille as the M3. It seems to fit the M4 best though. The M4 also has the same 473 horsepower twin turbo engine as the M3.
The M4 coupe comes standard with a manual gearbox, but the Competition M4 upgrades to the Steptronic automatic. Whether you go with the standard M Compound brakes or upgrade to carbon ceramics, you’ll have the stopping power to offset your natural inclination to lean on the accelerator.
The interior is motorsport chic with a minimal number of distractions and adornments. The instrument cluster has a custom M configuration for the dials and indicators. Yet, you can pare it down to just the vitals with the Sport and Track driving modes if you really want to get dialed in. That doesn’t mean the M4 coupe doesn’t come with some creature comforts. The front seats are heated. It has a soft anthracite headliner and an available moonroof.
2021 BMW M5
If it’s not broken, then don’t fix it. That old adage rings true for the BMW M5 sedan because it crosses into 2021 without any need for mechanical upgrades. It does however sport new front and rear bumper designs to accommodate a larger kidney grille and improved LED lightings.
The 2021 BMW M5 has a 4.4 Liter, twin-turbo V8 engine. It produces 600 horsepower and 553 lb. ft. of torque. The M5 Competition pushes out 617 horsepower. Drivers can find a driving style that suits their mood with the 8-speed Steptonic transmission. Get aggressive with paddle shifters or play it smooth, it’s all up to you.
The M5 Competition is the fastest M vehicle for 2021. It can go from zero to 60 in 2.9 seconds. The ride height has been lowered by about 0.28 inches. The M5 Competition also has stiffer dampers and anti-roll bars in a case where stiffer is actually a good thing.
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2021 BMW M8 Gran Coupe
Fans of the M8 coupe and convertible might be feeling left out in the cold in 2021. BMW recently announced that those models will be discontinued. However, there is still the 2021 BMW M8 Gran Coupe. It’s a four-door coupe/sedan that is brimming with luxury.
The M8 Gran Coupe has one of the most attractive exteriors. The profile sports arrow-shaped breathing ports and polished 20-inch wheels. It comes with a carbon fiber roof and chunky body paneling over the wheel wells.
Under the hood, the M8 is powered by a 4.4 Liter twin turbo V8. It’s the same engine as the M5. The exhaust note for the M8 is one of the rowdiest ones of the bunch considering that you can customize the acoustic sound with four different modes. So, you can decide whether you want to wake the neighbors next door or just wake the whole neighborhood.
2021 BMW X3 M and 2021 BMW X4 M
The 2021 BMW X3 M and X4 M are practically identical. Both SUVs have the same 3.0 Liter twin-turbo 6 engine and produce 473 horsepower and 442 pound feet of torque. The X4 M has a sloped roof, but if you happen to see one driving by, you’d be forgiven for not being able to tell them apart.
What makes these SUVs so impressive is the balance that they strike between sports car performance and SUV features. They offer a commanding view of the road and have thick sport seats that are wrapped in full Merino leather. There’s connectivity apps for the center console and a signature M instrument cluster for the driver.
The X3 M has a starting MSRP of $69,900. That makes the prospect of owning an M badge more obtainable for drivers with growing families, too. Android Auto connectivity and a matte wood finish are new for 2021. Apple CarPlay connectivity was already a standard tech feature.
The X3 and X4 make the most of their tech teams’ expertise. A Connected Package gives drivers real time navigation and parking visualizer. Just by saying “Hey, BMW,” you get a virtual concierge that can assist drivers with navigation and online information. So, it’s clear that the focus for the X3 M and X4 M centers around the driver and passenger experience.
2021 BMW X5 M and 2021 BMW X6 M
The 2021 BMW X5 M and X6 M have comfortable seating for five. Both SUVs come with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, as well as advanced safety features. They’re perfect family haulers that also go from zero to 60 in 4 seconds flat.
These SUVs shouldn’t be this fast, but they’re powered by the same engine as the M5 sedan. That’s right. BMW has placed their 4.4 Liter, twin turbo V8 engines inside the X5 M and X6 M. The result is a surprisingly nimble mid-sized SUV that forgets its manners when you step on the accelerator.
There are even Competition trims available that take these SUVs up to 617 horsepower. You’ll pay handsomely for these impressive SUVs, that’s for sure. Yet, not a soul will be able to say that it’s over-priced.
Price List for the 2021 BMW M Vehicles
- 2021 BMW M2 Competition – $59,900
- 2021 BMW M2 CS – $83,600
- 2021 BMW M3 – $69,900
- 2021 BMW M3 Competition – $72,800
- 2021 BMW M4 – $71,800
- 2021 BMW M4 Competition – $74,400
- 2021 BMW M5 – $103,500
- 2021 BMW M5 Competition – $112,000
- 2021 BMW M8 Gran Coupe – $130,000
- 2021 BMW X3 M – $69,900
- 2021 BMW X4 M – $73,400
- 2021 BMW X5 M – $105,100
- 2021 BMW X6 M – $108,600
At the Finish Line
These 2021 BMW M performance models certainly don’t disappoint. Some automotive enthusiasts have been waiting years for these vehicles to drop. The M3 sedan and M4 coupe redesign are the standouts from this list, along with the limited edition M2 CS.
The 2021 BMW M8 Gran Coupe is the priciest sports car on this list and that’s for good reason. With the coupe and convertible going out to pasture in North America, the Gran Coupe is the only M8 game in town for American motorists. It’s not only equipped with track-ready enhancements, the M8 is also draped in sophistication and luxury.
The M5 Competition is all about speed; it’s the fastest M vehicle. It’s a motorsport dynamo that adds 17 horsepower to the M5 along with an M Sport exhaust upgrade. By the time you outfit the M5 with the Competition package, ceramic brakes, premium performance tires and wheels, your build out costs will hover around $130,000.
It’s difficult to pick a favorite when each one of the BMW M vehicles is so well-built. From coupes to SUVs, this group of high-performance vehicles are undeniably superb. Each one is a winner. Each one is powerful and competitive. So, good luck if you’ve set yourself to the task of selecting just one from the bunch.