New BMW M4 Competition Convertible scorches in for summer

• M4 Convertible features xDrive four-wheel drive as standard
• 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds
• Production starts in July, priced from £81,915

The new BMW M4 Competition Convertible has been unveiled. It’s the latest addition to BMW’s M car lineup and is powered by the same 503bhp six-cylinder petrol engine used in the M4 Coupe and M3 saloon. It’s only available with BMW’s xDrive four-wheel drive system. 

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Production of the new M4 Competition Convertible starts in July, with prices starting at £81,915. First deliveries are expected later in the summer. When it arrives, the M4 Competition Convertible will be a direct rival to the Mercedes-AMG C 63 Cabriolet, and an alternative to performance drop-tops including the Porsche 718 Boxster and Jaguar F-Type SVR Convertible. 

2021 BMW M4 Competition Convertible M xDrive: design, chassis and roof

The biggest design change over the previous generation M4 Convertible, which had a metal folding hard top, is the switch to a fabric folding roof. BMW calls this the “Panel Bow soft top roof”, which is 40% lighter than the roof of the old car. It’s impressively quick too, taking only 18 seconds to fully raise or lower, and can be operated at speeds of up to 31mph. 

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The exterior design of the M4 Competition Convertible is carried over from the M4 Coupe, with the same oversized front kidney grille design and angular front bumper design. The sides feature an inlet on the front wing, with 19 (front) and 20-inch alloy wheels (rear) filling flared wheel arches. At the rear, a lip spoiler is fitted and an angular rear bumper houses a quad exhaust and diffuser. 

While the M4 Competition Convertible looks similar to its coupe sibling, it does feature additional chassis strengthening to help keep the car rigid. This includes extra bracing on the floor and rear subframe of the car, along with extra aluminium panelling at the front end.

Engine and performance

Power comes from the same twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine used in the M4 Coupe and M3 saloon, with a total power output of 503bhp. An eight-speed gearbox sends power to all four wheels via the xDrive all-wheel drive system, with 0-62mph taking 3.7 second with launch control engaged - 0.2 seconds slower than the coupe model. The top speed is electronically limited to 155mph, with the optional M Driver’s package raising the limiter to 174mph.  

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Like xDrive versions of the M4 Coupe and M3 saloon, the M4 Convertible boasts an adaptive M suspension setup. According to BMW, the xDrive four-wheel-drive system is rear-biased in normal driving conditions, and there is a mode that sends 100% of the power to the rear axle making the car rear-wheel drive.

The additional weight of the chassis strengthening does affect efficiency slightly, although most owners are unlikely to be worried by fuel economy of 27.7mpg. CO2 missions start from 231g/km. 

Interior, technology and practicality 

The inside of the Convertible is largely carried over from the existing M4 models with an identical dashboard housing a 12.3-inch digital dial cluster and central infotainment touchscreen featuring unique M Division specific graphics and readouts.  

BMW has added its ‘Air Collar’ system to the sports seats, which blows hot air onto passengers’ necks. The front seats are also electrically adjustable and heated. Like the Coupe, the M4 Convertible is a four-seater. 

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To personalise their cars, M4 Convertible buyers can pick from several packages to enhance the styling, technology and performance. These include the Comfort, M Carbon, Technology Pro, Visibility Ultimate, and the M Plus packs.

When compared to the M4 Coupe, the folding fabric roof of the convertible does affect practicality slightly. Compared to the 440 litres available in 4 Series and M4 coupe, the Convertible offers 385 litres with the roof up, falling to 300 litres with it folded. 

For more on BMW’s latest M cars, read our review of the BMW M3 saloon and M4 coupe.