Upcoming M3 And M4 Will Have An AWD Option To Control The Power

A four-wheel-drive M3? It’s on its way, people. A 4WD M4 too, in all likelihood. Rumours suggest that the next M3 and M4, launched later this year, will be available in both rear-wheel drive and 4WD versions. Y’know, just like a regular 3 Series.

The switchable 4WD tech that has transformed the current M5’s usability will trickle down to the M3, but – and this is the important bit – not be compulsory. It’s thought that the range will diversify with purer, lighter, simpler rear-wheel drive models available alongside 4WD versions.

At the heart of the new M3/4 is an all-new twin-turbo six-cylinder engine developing 473bhp. A gain of almost 50bhp over the current standard car, it’s the biggest power leap seen in an M3 since six cylinder E46 gave way to V8 E92.

countguy - 3/7/2019 12:12:36 PM

+3 Boost

Switchable AWD will be a nice feature as current M4's can't get off the line to save their lives.

dlin - 3/7/2019 12:17:41 PM

+2 Boost

Love that mean face... hope BMW don't lost it

PUGPROUD - 3/7/2019 2:42:43 PM

+2 Boost

About time.

SSBMW - 3/7/2019 5:15:25 PM

+3 Boost

AWD won't fix it from sounding terrible like the current one does.

dstampfer - 3/7/2019 6:37:21 PM

+3 Boost

As long as the weight penalty isn't substantial, selectable RWD/AWD is a good thing when you have 500HP (competition pack). May have to trade the E90 M3 in....

MDarringer - 3/7/2019 7:06:45 PM

-1 Boost

Yes AWD controls the power, but AWD cars can have incredibly numb steering because of the AWD. They develop great numbers, but...yeah...numb.

I'd rather have an M3 that was more unruly then one tamed by the nanny state.

valhallakey - 3/8/2019 12:59:55 AM

+3 Boost

They are saying they will make a “pure” rwd version as well, hopefully they can bring back great steering feel in that one!

dstampfer - 3/8/2019 9:10:32 AM

+2 Boost

In general, Matt is correct, but would think the performance based AWD setup is heavily RWD biased and there wouldn't be any torque steer noticeable... Don't recall seeing many complaints about the steering on M5 reviews and suspect the power is only transferred to front when rears are slipping such as during a hard corner transition or straight line launch.

dlin - 3/8/2019 2:57:23 PM

+2 Boost

Even current RWD bimmer doesn't have much steering feel, so it's not AWD's fault. Rather, it's the elec steering toe blame.