BMW M4 CONVERTIBLE

Has a haircut relegated M Division’s corner carver to a coastal cruiser?

- ALEX AFFAT

ENGINE 2993cc, inline-6, DOHC, 24v, twin-turbo

POWER 375kW @ 6250rpm

TORQUE 650Nm @ 2750-5500rpm

0-100KM/H 3.7sec

WEIGHT 1995kg

PRICE $176,900

THE NEW GENERATION M3 and M4 represents a radical departure from their long line of esteemed predecessors. M Division's latest spearhead, the G80-series, is allnew, based upon BMW's versatile CLAR modular platform.

Topping the M3/M4 range with a base price of $176,900 ($11k over an M4 xDrive coupe), this M4 Competition Convertible isn't what you'd call cheap. Those are stout figures, however, when you consider that a Porsche 911 Cabriolet yields a 92kW/100Nm disadvantage while wielding an $86,000 premium.

It should outrun the Porsche from the traffic lights, too, as the adoption of all-wheel drive drops the M3/M4's 0-100km/h time from 3.9-seconds to 3.7-seconds, compared to the 911 Cab's blousy 4.4-second claim.

As expected, it's grown in size, measuring 123mm longer and 26mm wider than the superseded F8x generation. A 45mm increase in the wheelbase also delivers improved rear legroom and aids stability at speed. Unlike the previous F83 M4 convertible, the new G83 trades the old folding metal roof for a more conventional fabric softop, delivering a 40 per cent weight saving and freeing up an additional 80 litres of stowage space in the boot.