CAR OF THE WEEK

What Defines An Icon?

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When BMW launched the M4 in 2014, it marked a new era for the brand’s M division. The legendary M3 Coupé nameplate was retired, but its spirit lived on in the M4 — a car designed to fuse everyday usability with race-bred precision. By 2016, BMW refined this formula even further with the Competition Package version of the M4 (66-plate), a model that elevated an already exceptional machine into something truly special. Here are the top five features that make the 2016 BMW M4 Competition Pack one of the most celebrated modern M cars — a worthy heir to BMW’s performance heritage.

1. The Enhanced Twin-Turbo Powerhouse

Under the bonnet lies BMW’s 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged straight-six, codenamed S55 — an engine that pays homage to the silky smooth inline-sixes that defined the M3 lineage, from the E30’s S14 to the E46’s S54. In Competition Pack trim, power is boosted to 450hp, up from the standard M4’s 425hp, and torque remains an impressive 550Nm. This allows the DCT-equipped M4 to sprint from 0–62mph in just 4.0 seconds, edging it closer to supercar territory. Reviewers from Top Gear and Autocar praised the engine’s relentless surge and precision, with Evo Magazine noting that the Competition Pack version “feels sharper, angrier, and more cohesive than ever before.”

2. The Perfectly Tuned Chassis

BMW’s engineers didn’t just add power — they retuned the M4’s entire chassis for a more connected driving experience. The Adaptive M Suspension received revised springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars, along with recalibrated driving modes. Combined with the M Differential and lightweight carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) components, the M4 Competition Pack delivers a level of agility and poise that harkens back to the E30 M3’s balance and feedback. The result is a car that feels alive through every corner, rewarding skill and confidence with sublime control.

3. The M Competition Exhaust System

Few sounds stir the soul like a BMW straight-six at full song, and the M4 Competition Pack makes sure of that. Its M sports exhaust system features black chrome quad tailpipes and a revised internal design that adds a deep, metallic bark under throttle. The system not only enhances performance but also restores some of the aural emotion that enthusiasts felt the turbocharged M4 had initially lost. As Car and Driver put it, “the Competition Pack gives the M4 the voice it always deserved.”

4. Aesthetic Excellence and M Identity

Visually, the 2016 M4 Competition Pack makes a statement without shouting. The 20-inch Style 666M alloy wheels, gloss-black accents, and subtle M badging all reinforce its motorsport pedigree. The lightweight CFRP roof, an M hallmark since the E92 M3, lowers the centre of gravity and showcases BMW’s dedication to form meeting function. Inside, M-striped seatbelts, lightweight M Sport seats, and extended leather trim create an atmosphere that’s both luxurious and focused — the essence of BMW’s “ultimate driving machine” philosophy.

5. Heritage Meets Everyday Usability

What makes the 2016 (66) BMW M4 Competition Pack so special is its dual nature. It’s a track-capable machine infused with decades of M division DNA, yet refined enough for the daily commute. BMW has long excelled at blending performance and practicality — a legacy that began with the original 1986 E30 M3 — and the M4 Competition Pack proudly continues that tradition.

In the words of Top Gear, “The M4 Competition Pack is the car the M4 always wanted to be.” It’s a machine that bridges past and present, delivering raw performance, technological sophistication, and timeless design. Nearly a decade on, it remains a benchmark in BMW’s storied M lineage — a true modern classic.

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