BMW has just unveiled the convertible version of the M4 that was launched late last year. While the outgoing M4 Convertible had a folding metal roof, BMW has given the all-new model a soft cloth top to save weight. Yet, it still weighs a massive 1,995 kg – just five kilograms off two tonnes, and nearly 150 kg heavier than its predecessor.
The extra weight boils down to two key points. One, the G82 BMW M4 Competition that this new convertible is based on has already put on quite a fair bit of weight compared to its previous generation, and two: It’s only available with all-wheel drive.
But despite the weight, the M4 Convertible is still seriously quick. With a 510 hp and 650 Nm Competition-spec S58 3.0 litre twin-turbo straight-six engine underneath the hood, which is the only tune the M4 Convertible comes in, the AWD model propels itself to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds.
For context, that’s 0.2 seconds quicker than the RWD-only M4 Competition coupe, and 0.2 seconds slower than the M4 Competition in xDrive form. Top speed meanwhile, is electronically limited to 280 km/h with the optional M Driver’s Package (250 km/h without).
BMW says the new panel bow fabric roof (the same one found on the all-new 4 Series Convertible) combines the “practical benefits of a retractable hardtop with the classically elegant aesthetic of a fabric hood”, while being nearly 40% lighter than its predecessor. It takes around 18 seconds to open and close the roof, and can be done while travelling at speeds of up to 50 km/h.
As expected in a convertible, the boot space has taken a hit thanks to its folding roof mechanism – dropping from the 440 litres offered with the coupe, to 385 litres with the roof up, and 300 litres when stowed. Still, it’s a huge improvement from its predecessor – the latter being 80 litres more than before.
To offset the removal of the roof, which is a key structural part in any car, BMW has added a model-specific torsion strut package at the rear of the all-new M4 Convertible to increase torsional rigidity, in addition to the existing M specific chassis bracing and a aluminium sheer panel for the front subframe from the M4 Coupe.
Aside from the obvious changes on the upper half of the car, the rest of the all-new BMW M4 Competition Convertible – including both the interior and exterior appointments as well as options – are all basically unchanged from the M4 Coupe.
Production of the model is scheduled to begin in July this year at BMW’s Dingolfing assembly plant, with sales set to begin shortly after. Pricing for the convertible model starts at GBP81,915 (~RM480k) in the UK, making it about GBP3,600 (~RM21k) more expensive than the AWD M4 Competition Coupe.
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