The world of high-performance coupes has been redefined with the arrival of the 2022 BMW M4 Competition xDrive. For enthusiasts who crave exhilarating speed and cutting-edge technology, this all-wheel-drive marvel delivers an experience that blurs the lines between sports car and supercar. BMW has injected its iconic M4 with a potent dose of all-wheel-drive capability, resulting in acceleration figures that were once the exclusive domain of exotic, million-dollar machines. Prepare to be astonished by the raw power and sophisticated engineering that propel the 2022 M4 Competition xDrive into a league of its own.
Supercar Performance Metrics Achieved
The headline figure that immediately grabs attention is the M4 Competition xDrive’s astonishing 0-60 mph sprint time of just 2.8 seconds. This blistering pace isn’t just a marginal improvement; it’s a quantum leap in performance for the M4 lineage. To put this into perspective, this all-wheel-drive coupe outpaces its rear-wheel-drive sibling, the M3 Competition sedan, by a significant 0.7 seconds in the 0-60 mph dash. While we await direct testing of a rear-drive M4 Competition, the comparison to the closely related M3 Competition sedan, which clocked 3.5 seconds to 60 mph, speaks volumes about the transformative effect of xDrive.
The raw numbers continue to impress beyond the initial burst of acceleration. The quarter-mile mark is dispatched in a mere 11.0 seconds at a trap speed of 125 mph. While the trap speed is only marginally higher than the rear-drive M3 Competition, the M4 xDrive establishes a clear dominance in elapsed time, crossing the quarter-mile lights a full 0.6 seconds sooner. The advantage of the all-wheel-drive system is evident from the get-go, with the M4 xDrive gaining a half-second lead over the M3 by just 30 mph, thanks to the optimized launch control system. Interestingly, when assessing rolling starts from 5 to 60 mph, the gap narrows considerably, with the xDrive M4 registering 4.4 seconds compared to the rear-drive M3’s 4.5 seconds. Even the base rear-drive M4 with a manual transmission, a purist’s delight, lags behind, hitting 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and completing the quarter-mile in 12.1 seconds at 118 mph.
xDrive Advantage and Handling Dynamics
The secret behind the 2022 M4 Competition xDrive’s breathtaking acceleration lies in its intelligent all-wheel-drive system. Modern high-performance engines, like BMW’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six, generate immense low-end torque. The xDrive system expertly manages this power, distributing it to all four wheels to maximize traction and minimize wheelspin during hard launches. This sophisticated system ensures that every ounce of the engine’s 503 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque (available from a low 2750 rpm) is effectively translated into forward motion.
Despite the added complexity of all-wheel drive, the M4 Competition xDrive maintains the sharp handling and dynamic prowess expected of an M car. Equipped with the same carbon-ceramic brakes and staggered wheel setup (19-inch front and 20-inch rear) wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires as its rear-drive counterparts, the xDrive coupe delivers a remarkable 1.02 g’s of skidpad grip and stops from 70 mph in just 150 feet – figures virtually identical to the rear-drive M3 sedan. The electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential, combined with the rear-biased nature of BMW’s xDrive system, ensures a familiar driving feel in most conditions. While the ride quality remains firm, even in Comfort mode thanks to the adaptive dampers, this firmness contributes to the car’s planted and confident demeanor, especially at high speeds. Fuel economy remains surprisingly reasonable, with a tested average of 22 mpg and an impressive 29 mpg achieved on a 75-mph highway test, surpassing the EPA highway estimate by a significant 7 mpg. This indicates that the xDrive system doesn’t come at a substantial efficiency penalty.
For drivers seeking a more rear-biased experience, the M4 Competition xDrive offers a 4WD Sport mode that directs more torque to the rear wheels. For those seeking ultimate driving thrills, disabling stability control and engaging 2WD mode transforms the car into a traditional, rubber-burning rear-wheel-drive machine. While the steering ratio is slightly quicker in the xDrive version (14.6:1 versus 15.0:1), the difference is subtle. The xDrive system primarily enhances traction and stability without fundamentally altering the M4’s precise and communicative steering feel.
Features, Options, and Pricing
The 2022 BMW M4 Competition xDrive enters the market with a base price of $79,995, positioning it alongside elite company like the C8 Chevy Corvette Z51 as one of the few sub-$100,000 vehicles capable of sub-three-second 0-60 mph acceleration. While the tested example reached an as-tested price of $101,995 due to optional extras, including the high-performance carbon-ceramic brakes ($8150) and M carbon bucket seats ($3800), drivers can tailor the car to their preferences and budget. Other notable options included in the test vehicle were black leather upholstery, the M Driver’s package, Executive package, carbon-fiber trim, M Drive Professional, Parking Assistance package, and Skyscraper Grey Metallic paint.
While purists may still favor the engagement of the standard M4 with its manual transmission, there’s no denying that the xDrive system unlocks the full potential of the Competition model’s enhanced power output. The 2022 M4 Competition xDrive is not just about raw speed; it’s a testament to BMW’s engineering prowess, seamlessly blending supercar-level performance with the practicality and refinement expected of a modern BMW coupe.
Specifications: 2022 BMW M4 Competition xDrive
- Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear/all-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe
- PRICE Base/As Tested: $79,995/$101,995
- Options: M carbon-ceramic brakes, $8150; M carbon bucket seats, $3800; black leather upholstery, $2550; M Driver’s package, $2500; Executive package (remote engine start, power liftgate, gesture control, head-up display, heated steering wheel), $1800; carbon-fiber trim, $950, M Drive Professional, $900; Parking Assistance package (drive recorder, parking assistance plus), $800; Skyscraper Grey Metallic paint, $550
- ENGINE: twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
- Displacement: 183 in3, 2993 cm3
- Power: 503 hp @ 6250 rpm
- Torque: 479 lb-ft @ 2750 rpm
- TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic
- CHASSIS:
- Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
- Brakes, F/R: 15.7-in vented, cross-drilled carbon-ceramic disc/15.0-in vented, cross-drilled carbon-ceramic disc
- Tires: Michelin Pilot Sport 4S F: 275/35ZR-19 (100Y) ★ R: 295/30ZR-20 (99Y) ★
- DIMENSIONS:
- Wheelbase: 112.5 in
- Length: 189.1 in
- Width: 74.3 in
- Height: 54.9 in
- Passenger Volume: 91 ft3
- Trunk Volume: 12 ft3
- Curb Weight: 3904 lb
- C/D TEST RESULTS:
- 60 mph: 2.8 sec
- 100 mph: 6.9 sec
- 1/4-Mile: 11.0 sec @ 125 mph
- 130 mph: 12.0 sec
- 150 mph: 17.4 sec
- 170 mph: 26.4 sec
- Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 4.4 sec
- Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.5 sec
- Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 2.8 sec
- Top Speed (mfr’s claim): 180 mph
- Braking, 70–0 mph: 150 ft
- Braking, 100–0 mph: 302 ft
- Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 1.02 g
- C/D FUEL ECONOMY:
- Observed: 22 mpg
- 75-mph Highway Driving: 29 mpg
- 75-mph Highway Range: 450 mi
- EPA FUEL ECONOMY:
- Combined/City/Highway: 18/16/22 mpg
