BMW M4 0-60 MPH: Unleashing Supercar Acceleration in a Sports Coupe

The BMW M4 has long been celebrated as a performance benchmark, but the latest iteration, the M4 Competition xDrive, elevates this reputation to new heights. Thanks to its advanced all-wheel-drive system, this coupe achieves a blistering 0-60 mph time that rivals supercars, clocking in at a mere 2.8 seconds. This astonishing figure isn’t just a number; it represents a paradigm shift in the M4’s performance capabilities, blending raw power with unprecedented traction.

A striking side profile view of the 2022 BMW M4 Competition xDrive in motion, emphasizing its aerodynamic lines and sporty stance.

While purists might debate the merits of all-wheel drive in a car traditionally known for its rear-wheel-drive dynamics, the results speak unequivocally. The xDrive system in the 2022 BMW M4 Competition translates to significantly enhanced acceleration. To put this into perspective, testing of the rear-wheel-drive BMW M3 Competition sedan, a vehicle closely related to the M4 coupe, revealed a 0-60 mph time of 3.5 seconds. Both models share the same formidable 503-horsepower twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six engine, producing 479 pound-feet of torque from just 2750 rpm, and the same slick-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission. The key differentiator, and the source of the M4 xDrive’s rapid acceleration, is the all-wheel-drive system’s ability to effectively deploy this power to the road.

The addition of xDrive does add approximately 84 pounds to the M4’s curb weight, bringing it to 3904 pounds. However, this slight increase in mass is a small price to pay for the monumental gain in traction and launch capability. At the track, the BMW M4 Competition xDrive doesn’t just impress off the line; it continues to deliver throughout the quarter-mile sprint. It completes this distance in just 11.0 seconds at a trap speed of 125 mph. Comparing this to the rear-drive M3 Competition, the M4 xDrive is a significant 0.6 seconds quicker in the quarter mile. By the 30 mph mark, the all-wheel-drive M4 already holds a half-second advantage, showcasing the effectiveness of launch control in conjunction with AWD. Interestingly, when measuring rolling starts from 5 to 60 mph, the gap narrows considerably, with the M4 xDrive achieving it in 4.4 seconds compared to the RWD M3’s 4.5 seconds. This highlights the primary benefit of xDrive: optimizing initial acceleration from a standstill. For comparison, the base rear-drive BMW M4 with a manual transmission achieves 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds and a quarter-mile time of 12.1 seconds at 118 mph, further underscoring the performance leap provided by the Competition xDrive model.

Beyond straight-line speed, the BMW M4 Competition xDrive maintains the handling prowess expected of an M car. Equipped with the same carbon-ceramic brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires as its rear-drive counterparts, the xDrive coupe recorded 1.02 g’s of grip on the skidpad and a 150-foot stopping distance from 70 mph – figures virtually identical to the rear-drive M3 sedan. The electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential and BMW’s rear-biased xDrive system ensure that the driving experience remains engaging, even with power being sent to all four wheels. While the ride quality remains firm, even in Comfort mode thanks to the adaptive dampers, the M4 xDrive manages to balance track-ready performance with reasonable daily usability. Furthermore, the fuel economy is surprisingly decent for a car of this caliber, averaging 22 mpg in testing and achieving an impressive 29 mpg on a 75-mph highway test, even surpassing its EPA highway estimate. This suggests that the xDrive system doesn’t significantly compromise fuel efficiency.

The M4 xDrive system includes a 4WD Sport mode, which biases torque delivery further to the rear, allowing for a more traditional rear-wheel-drive feel when desired. For those seeking maximum driving thrills, fully deactivating the stability control and engaging 2WD mode transforms the M4 Competition xDrive into a tire-smoking rear-drive machine, offering versatility to suit different driving preferences and conditions.

While the tested model reached a price of $101,995 due to optional extras like carbon-ceramic brakes and carbon bucket seats, the base price of the BMW M4 Competition xDrive starts at $79,995. This positions it alongside cars like the C8 Chevy Corvette Z51 in the exclusive club of sub-$100,000 vehicles capable of sub-three-second 0-60 mph acceleration. Although some enthusiasts might still prefer the puristic engagement of the standard rear-drive M4 with a manual transmission, there’s no denying that the xDrive system unlocks the full potential of the Competition model’s enhanced power, delivering supercar-level acceleration in a supremely capable sports coupe.

Specifications: 2022 BMW M4 Competition xDrive