Test: this is how the new BMW M4 Coupé makes mincemeat of the Porsche 911 Carrera S

The BMW M4 Coupé Competition may have 510 hp, but it is a little slower off the starting blocks than the 450 hp Porsche 911 Carrera S. Incidentally, it is not much difference: 3.6 against 3.4 seconds. From 2750 rpm, on the other hand, the floor is for the BMW M4. Then the six-cylinder in-line engine barks 650 Nm together, and that keeps it up to 5500 rpm. The Porsche remains stuck between 2300 and 5000 rpm at 530 Nm.

BMW leaves Porsche behind - eventually

In practice, this means that the BMW offers its rear lights as an orientation point to the 911 Carrera S from 150 km/h. “Eat my fumes”, they would say in the pre-catalyst and particulate filter era….

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M4 vs. 911 from 0 to 200 km/h

After this experience, it is no surprise that the Porsche also bites the dust during the sprint from 0 to 200 km/h. Although a time of 11.6 seconds is nothing to get the shame of on the broad hips. Anyway, the BMW has completed this exercise two tenths faster. Only at 290 km/h is the M4 slowed down by the engine management, while the 911 continues for a while to 308 km/h. Nice for the drinks table, shall we say.

Beware of the torque of the BMW M4

The double blown six-cylinder in-line engine of the BMW can be dosed nicely, but you have to watch out for the gigantic torque. If you step on the gas too roughly, it reacts like a militant virus wappie to a boa: violently.

911 is more eager and more economical

Although the torque build-up in the six-cylinder boxer engine of the Porsche is a lot more gradual and natural, it hangs more eagerly on the gas. In doing so, it behaves like an extremely torquey naturally aspirated engine, which continuously longs for higher speeds. The fact that the Porsche is still more economical than the BMW is not only due to the extremely long eighth gear. The more than 200 kg lower car weight and the better aerodynamics also contribute significantly.

The full comparison test, including all readings, is in Auto Review 7/2021.