2024 BMW M4 Adds Tech, Keeps the Manual Alive

By Ben McKimm - News

Published: 6 Feb 2024

The BMW M4 has remained one of our favourite sportscars since we first got behind the wheel at the start of 2021. Today, the line-up is getting its mid-life refresh meaning more power (390kW), more money, and a tighter three-model range that still includes a manual transmission in the M4 Coupé.

Pricing for the updated BMW M4 range starts at $168,700 plus on-road costs for the manual M4 Coupé. The M4 Competition Coupé with M xDrive is priced at $186,500 plus on-road costs and the M4 Competition Convertible with M xDrive is priced at $197,900 plus on-road costs.

This compares to the four-cylinder plug-in hybrid Mercedes-AMG C 63 S E Performance, priced from $187,900 plus on-road costs. Let’s check out the model changes in more detail.

New taillights bmw m4 competition — New laser taillights borrowing from the limited edition BMW M4 CSL | Image: BMW

Power from the inline 6-cylinder M TwinPower Turbo engine has increased from 375kW to 390kW in the ‘Competition’ variants while the standard six-speed manual M4 Coupé retains the same 353kW output. More impressively, the 650Nm of torque is developed from 2,750-5,730 rpm. As such, acceleration is quicker for the xDrive Competition models with an uber-fast 0-100km/h time of 3.5 seconds for the M4 Competition Coupé and 3.7 seconds for the Competition Convertible.

Notable changes have been made to the taillights and LED headlights (now standard) where the rear has taken inspiration from the limited-edition BMW CSL model with laser technology.

Bmw m4 compeition interior dashboard — The new steering wheel in the BMW M4 has a flat-bottom design | Image: BMW

Inside the cabin, there’s new tech with the release of the BMW Operating System 8.5 running on the new high-definition BMW Curved Display and a redesigned M-specific flat-bottom steering wheel alongside luxurious materials for the instrument panel and interior trims to enhance cabin ambience. Heated seats for both driver and front passenger are standard and ‘Merino’ leather upholstery is offered in its full version for Competition variants in eight colours. Electrically adjustable and heated M Carbon bucket seats are still optional.

The large floating infotainment screen offers Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and is comprised of a 12.3-inch display behind the steering wheel and a 14.9-inch, centre-mounted control display in the centre and angled towards the driver.

While technology has increased, the brand has done its part to keep important touch points physical. For example, the new control buttons for air vents are located in the centre of the dashboard and enable the setting of the desired direction of airflow by rotating and tilting. More importantly, there’s still a volume knob.

2024 bmw m4 competition rear end 1 — 2024 BMW M4 | Image: BMW

The new BMW M4 arrives after BMW Australia recorded a 19.7 per cent sales growth of BMW M registrations last year. Australia ranks second in the world for sales of BMW M high-performance cars in the overall sales mix. There’s no doubt the updated model will continue to be a sales success as the competition moves towards smaller displacement engines and hybrid powertrains that lack the character expected from a sports car.

Look for the new BMW M4 to arrive in Australia between April and June of this year. Check out the full list of pricing and specifications for our market below

Check out BMW M4

M4 Coupé: $168,700 (+$2200)