BMW M3 (G80) and M4 (G82)

Well, it had to happen. After so many complaints from speedo boys ranting about the terrifying vertical kidney grille slapped on the second-generation 4-Series' face and feared that the next M3 and M4 could get the same treatment as the one mentioned, the new generation BMW M3 sedan and M4 coupe have arrived and yes, it dons the terrifying vertical kidney grille that had most speedo boys complaining. So, behind the terrifying grille, what's it feels like to be with the new model?

2022 BMW M4

2022 BMW M3

The new BMW M3 sedan and M4 coupe have arrived with the terrifying vertical kidney grille slapped on the front, the kind of grille most speedo boys are complaining about, probably because our favorite German luxury car maker's gone progressive in every way, but behind the grille, the new models featured reworked dynamics, improved performance, cutting-edge tech, and more, keeping in tune with BMW's motorsport knowhow as well as...the times.

Of course, as speedo boys keep complaining about the massive vertical grille on the face, there's more to this design that polarizes them. On the interior, it still operates and feels just like their normal equivalents, apart from the annoying but clever BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant that works like your Amazon Alexa device in every way or so but since they're potent versions of the 3-Series sedan and 4-Series coupe, you are greeted by the M-specific treatments that differentiate them such as its sports seats, buttons, and some extras. The carbon fiber trim's a bit tacky by the way but being tacky is what these new models do best.

Under the hood, the new models are armed with the 3.0L twin-turbo six-cylinder engine that can be mated to either a no-nonsense 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic gearbox if you're into the more powerful Competition variant with 510PS of power, 650Nm of torque, and a 0-100kph time of 3.9 seconds. As speedo boys complained about the looks but went to buy one anyway, looks like the less powerful base variant with the manual gearbox is the best pick because speedo boys love sports cars with a manual gearbox. Hey, the one with the manual gearbox can be so much more fun to drive than the new Toyota GR Supra, which has less power and no manual. Cue the raspberry sound effects, boys.

While the performance is somewhat rewarding for speedo boys who didn't bother about its controversial looks, the new M3 and M4 are getting more fun to drive than their predecessors. That's because they have updated its suspension and chassis setup to make it wider, lower, more rigid, and more enjoyable to drive than the previous models. There are also clever bits as well such as the M Dynamic Mode on the stability control, updated TCS, M Drive Professional system with M Traction Control, and more, giving you more ways to get intoxicated by its addictive dynamics that made you want to drive for more.

In standard rear-wheel drive specs, the new M3 and M4 really show some vitality through the corners and when you try oversteering it, you should be just fine. Speedo boys really dig the ones with rear-wheel drive configuration but with the all-wheel-drive variants arriving later, there's so much to get hooked with the new models because, for those who have experience with the all-wheel-drive M5, you can expect near-similar results with these two.

The case of "bad plus good equals better for everyone" could be the ideal summary for the new M3 and M4 because with the design that attracts so much heat from complaining speedo boys, the improved performance and dynamics, as well as the manual gearbox, are what made them good. Think about it, if you still complaining about the looks, why are you driving one?

Photo: BMW