Check Out the Grille on THAT: 2021 BMW M3 and M4 Arrive on Scene

The 2021 BMW M3 and M4 are here, and hard to miss, thanks to a gaping maw of a grille.

Divisive looks aside – and I have a feeling the discussion about these Bimmers will make political debates seem tame – the cars promise plenty of power.

To wit, an increased 48 ponies over the base engine and 59 more (and 73 lb-ft more of torque) over the Competition model. That translates into 473 and 503. Base engines have 406 lb-ft of torque, while the Competition has 479 lb-ft.

BMW is claiming 0-60 times of 4.1 and 3.8 seconds, respectively.

If you like the three-pedal dance, rejoice, as the rear-drive models will have a six-speed manual transmission. Competition models have an eight-speed automatic, due to their higher torque figure. There’s a manual-shifting mode for the slushbox, if you must.

Competition models will also be available with all-wheel drive starting in the summer of 2021. The system will be rear-biased, with torque shifting to the front wheels only when necessary. A 4WD Sport mode will ensure torque flows to the rear during performance driving, especially on track, and the system can be turned to be rear-drive only.

Other news includes a new function for the traction-control system that allows for an adjustable amount of allowable wheel slip, new aluminum wishbones with ball joints for the front suspension, new mounts for the front aluminum torque arm, and new hubs and wishbone control arms for the rear suspension. The front track is 1.5 inches wider.

The brakes are updated, too. They’re six-piston, fixed-caliper up front and rear single-piston floating units in the rear. Carbon-ceramic brakes and thicker rotors are available.

New 18- and 19-inch wheels are available, and the Competition models have 19- or 20-inchers to choose from.

An M Carbon exterior package is available. New seats are available for the cabin, including sport buckets that allow for the use of racing seatbelts. The Ms get the latest version of iDrive, which now uses cloud-based navigation.

A new onboard app called M Drive Professional will help wannabe Andrettis improve their track skills, using various data. Some results can be shared online by iPhone users.

Most of the usual suspects when it comes to driver-aid tech will be available.

The new Ms and their gaping grille reach the market in March, with the M3 starting at $69,900 and the M4 at $71,800, plus $995 for destination.

[Images: BMW]