BMW launches AWD M3 and M4

For many keen drivers over the course of the past 36 years the M3 has represented the pinnacle of rear-wheel-drive handling bliss. So the first thing to say is, don’t panic! You can turn the 4x4 off.

The new xDrive variants not only come with a rear bias to the power delivery – for just tooling around it’s the rear wheels alone that feel the turbo straight six’s 650Nm (479lb ft) – but just like big brother M5, there’s a switch (the DSC button) that allows you to turn off drive to the front wheels completely.

That’s one of a wide range of drive modes – including 10 stages of traction control – customisable by the driver in the quest for the widest possible grin. That’s where the entertainment factor comes in… You can even analyse your drift performance on track with the car’s M Drift Analyser.

It’s not all about hooning though. As BMW says, this dynamic side with signature M handling feel blends with “noticeably enhanced traction and directional stability”. The extra taction off the line makes the M3/M4 xDrive quicker, saving 0.4 seconds over the rear-drive models in the 0-62mph sprint. Doesn’t sound much? It is when the M3/M4 already despatches said sprint in under four seconds. Using the same 510PS (380kW) powertrain both M3 and M4 xDrive are credited with a brisk 3.5 seconds.

The rest is pretty familiar, so in league with the M-specific all-wheel-drive system you get the eight-speed M Steptronic transmission and Active M Differential for variable torque distribution between the rear wheels. To maintain performance on road or track, there are better oiling arrangements for the all-wheel-drive system’s electronic multi-plate clutch, new front suspension geometry and bespoke M designed driveshafts.

Both the xDrive variants are available in the UK in Competition form only. The M3 Competition saloon xDrive and and M4 Competition coupe xDrive are available from June and cost £77,015 and £78,315 respectively – a premium over their rear-drive counterparts of £2,260.

Hanker after an M4 xDrive convertible? That will be arriving later this year. And of course xDrive is sure to feature in the long-awaited, much-anticipated M3 Touring when that finally gets here in a year or two. We’ll have one of those thanks very much, and we’ll take a brave pill and have it in in Sao Paulo Yellow.