BMW Drops the Top for 375kW Turbo-Six M4 Competition xDrive Convertible

By Mark Jessen - News Published: 10 Jun 2021

It’s back, and it’s badder than ever. The BMW M4 has returned and now it carries the designation of Competition Convertible xDrive with it, which means that it has more power, all-wheel drive, and a drop-top.

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For the new convertible, BMW is eliminating options. The M3 and M4 coupe can be ordered as a six-speed manual transmission, but the convertible only comes as a Competition version. For lovers of power, that means the car gets a bump in the output from the S58 3.0-litre straight-six, taking the M4 Competition to 503 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. The engine mates with a ZF-sourced 8HP eight-speed automatic transmission with a sixth gear that is direct drive sending power to all four wheels.

Going from 0 to 60 miles per hour happens in just 3.6 seconds, and speed tops out at 155 miles per hour, though that can be raised to 174 miles per hour. The M4 convertible also gets a stronger front subframe, a unique front axle, interlinked strut towers, and a steering and braking system specific to the car. There are also optional systems—the M Drive Professional package and the Driving Assistant Professional Package—for interested parties.

The soft top is purportedly 40 per cent lighter than the previous iteration’s hardtop, and it is said to lower the center of gravity which improves the car’s agility. When the top is on, the acoustic and thermal elements in the fabric will make for a more comfortable ride. The tops come in black or Moonlight black, which has a shimmering effect to it. It also only takes 18 seconds to raise or lower the top, and because it is cloth, it takes up less space, freeing up cargo area.

The M4 Competition rides on 19-inch wheels in the front and 20-inch wheels in the rear. The new convertible will be ready to drop its top in September at a price starting around USD$87,295.

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Mr Mark Jessen

Mark Jessen studied English at Brigham Young University, completing a double emphasis in creative writing and professional writing/editing. After graduating, Mark went to work for a small publisher as their book editor. After a brief time as a freelance writer, Mark entered the corporate world as a copywriter. These days, his hours are spent mostly in proofing and editing, though he continues to create content for a wide variety of projects. In 2017, Mark completed UCLA's Creative Writing Certification. A prolific writer, Mark has over 20 years of experience in journalism.

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