While always a powerful player in the performance car segment, it has been the way in which BMW has implemented the introduction of more attainable performance models over the past few years that has been the biggest contributing factor to its growth both locally and globally.
South Africa is one of the biggest markets in the world for BMW performance cars, contributing a significant amount of sales to the over 60 000 M and M-Performance vehicles sold globally during 2016.
The Difference
Before I get on to my recent track experience with a few of these models, allow me to briefly explain the difference between an M car and an M-Performance car.
A proper M car is developed by BMW M GmbH, a subsidiary of the BMW brand, that is solely focused on producing fast road cars and racing machines. An M car is changed drastically in terms of engine, suspension, exterior design, aerodynamics and therefore performance versus the original car on which it is based.
An M-Performance car on the other hand is still produced alongside the traditional BMW products, but has been lightly breathed upon by the M GmbH division and does without the bespoke engines, bold exterior updates, suspension, active differentials and beefed-up brakes.
M car welcoming
I was invited by BMW to drive a few of its tastiest M and M-Performance cars around the tight and abrasive Aldo Scribante Racetrack outside Port Elizabeth recently. Upon my arrival, I was greeted by what BMW enthusiasts would consider heaven, with two Winfield 745i race cars from '80s, the restored M1 supercar and a range of the latest BMW M and M-Performance cars.
Driving M-Performance
Aldo Scribante is an infamously technical track with little margin for error, so I started with the M-Performance cars and worked my way up. I took the M240i out first followed by the M140i.
The M240i was fitted with a host of M-Performance parts too, including sportier wheels, a really impressive sounding exhaust system and various M regalia in the way of exterior trim. The mechanically identical M140i I sampled afterwards shares its B58 turbocharged in-line six-cylinder motor that is good for 250kW/ 500Nm. Driving these two models around the track proved fun with the cars acquitting themselves well.
Despite the performance though, I couldn’t shake the feeling that these cars are far better suited to the road and didn’t really want to be thrashed lap after lap around the track. Track driving isn’t really their forte then, but as fast road cars go, they’re sublime.
The next M-Performance car was something totally alien to me. The M760Li is the performance version of BMW’s executive barge, and after a few laps, I was left quite astonished. Under the bonnet is a monstrous twin-turbo-charged 6.6-litre V12 engine with 448kW/800Nm, which hurls the 2.2-ton monster from 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds.
That’s right; the fastest accelerating production BMW at the moment is a 7-series. Taking this car around a track is quite an experience; with its xDrive all-wheel drive system keeping things under control most of the time and its powertrain hurling occupants towards the next corner at a rapid rate, while providing a back massage, of course. It’s absolutely ludicrous but I’m so happy it exists.
Driving M
I then decided it was time to drive some of the real track weaponry and went for a few laps in a standard M4, which felt very track-ready despite always wanting to slip and slide everywhere. I then went for the M3 Competition Pack (CP) which ups the power from 317kW to 331kW, while torque remains at 550Nm. The CP also features a tweaked M Differential, larger 20-inch tyres and suspension revisions that make the M3 a seriously competent track day car.
But then, just as the sun ducked below a dilapidated building adjacent to the circuit, I stepped towards a very special machine, the M4 DTM Champion Edition. There are only 200 of these in the world and just 15 in South Africa and for three laps, I had it all to myself.
Exclusivity isn’t all that the DTM has going for it though, it packs 368kW/600Nm from the same S55 3.0-litre twin-turbo engine as the regular M3/M4. It also features a water injection system which sprays distilled water into the intake manifold and cools down the combustion process.
The DTM is also lighter thanks to the liberal use of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP), a titanium exhaust, a roll cage in place of the rear seats and lightweight front racing seats.
Driving the DTM around the track is quite an experience; it takes the whole M driving experience and amplifies it in the best possible way. The super sticky Michelin rubber at all four corners helps reign in the power and provide exceptional grip, while the rigid frame, stiff suspension and aerodynamics provide an intoxicating blend of aural and tactile driving fun. That’s what makes and M car, well, an M car and makes the DTM the best of its breed.
