2021 BMW M3 Competition saloon now on sale

• Twin-turbo 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine
• xDrive four-wheel drive version due
• M4 also available to order

Pricing for the new BMW M3 Competition has been revealed. The fastest version of the BMW 3 Series starts at £74,755, while the mechanically identical BMW M4 coupe costs around £1,500 more. A less powerful version is available in other countries but UK buyers only get the top-spec 503bhp Competition model.

You can choose from 12 colours (seven are free of charge) and two different alloy wheel designs. The standard black leather upholstery can be replaced by blue, orange or grey colour schemes. There are also a range of packs, some of which include extra carbon fibre trim and carbon-ceramic brakes, culminating in the ‘Ultimate’ pack that contains the contents of all the other packs for £11,995. Standalone options include a carbon styling pack (£4,100), a heated steering wheel (£170) and upgraded Laserlight headlights for £1,500.

The BMW M3 renews its rivalry with the Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio and Mercedes-AMG C63.

2020 BMW M3 Competition saloon design

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The M3 will look a lot beefier than the BMW 3 Series it’s based on, with flared wheel arches, a carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof and a reworked rear bumper featuring a diffuser and four exhaust pipes. It’ll get exclusive alloy wheels and the option of lots of carbon-fibre trim pieces.

The front end design is shared with the new M4 and 4 Series models, with a pair of vast nostril-like kidney grilles, large air intakes and a heavily contoured bonnet. The front and rear light clusters have been darkened, and it’ll sit on unique alloy wheels measuring 19 and 20 inches at the front and rear axles respectively. Four new paint colours are available, and you can have black or red brake calipers for the first time.

Interior

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The interior of the M3 gets the dashboard design and all the new tech featured in the latest 3 Series range, including a 12.3-inch digital dial cluster, and the latest infotainment touchscreen with unique M Division specific graphics and readouts. It will offer the driver a more straightforward interface and fewer physical buttons than the old car, with the majority of the car’s functions operated by BMW’s latest iDrive 7.0 infotainment system. You can also expect contoured sports seats, complete with illuminated ‘M3’ logos in the headrests - similar to the design seen in the latest M5 Saloon.

While the new BMW M4 Competition coupe is strictly a four-seater, the M3 has the same amount of space for five adults as the regular 3 Series. For the first time, a BMW M3 Touring model will be added to the line-up in 2022.

Engines, performance and chassis

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The new M3 will feature a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine. While the specifications look similar to those of the engine in the previous model, it is in fact the new S58 unit used in the X3 M and X4 M SUVs. BMW has confirmed that only the 503bhp Competition spec is coming to the UK; other markets will also get a 473bhp version with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Both versions will be rear-wheel drive at launch, with the range-topping Competition model capable of 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 155mph - or 180mph if you option the M Driver’s Package. According to BMW, a four-wheel-drive xDrive model will arrive in summer 2021. Efficiency figures aren’t too impressive, unsurprisingly, with 27.7mpg and 234g/km of CO2 meaning the M3 won’t be cheap to run.

Compared to the regular 3 Series, the new M3 receives several chassis upgrades including a stiffer front axle, a reworked locking rear differential, and electronically controlled suspension. It will also feature various switchable driving modes, including a Sport Plus mode that puts the throttle, suspension and gearbox into the sharpest and most aggressive settings.

Read our review of the BMW 3 Series to compare the standard model with the new M3, or check out our list of the best cars for driving enthusiasts.