Is the BMW M4 four-wheel drive?
2 Answers
The BMW M4 is a rear-wheel-drive vehicle, not a four-wheel-drive one. The BMW M4 is an imported sedan available in coupe and convertible versions. It was officially announced for import sales on August 21, 2014, and comes with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires as standard factory equipment. The new car is based on the new 3 Series and incorporates the latest M sports package. There are three common types of four-wheel-drive systems for cars: 1. Part-time four-wheel drive: This is a more primitive four-wheel-drive system where the driver needs to manually switch between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive based on driving conditions. Therefore, some off-road vehicles have an additional lever next to the gear shift to switch driving modes. Moreover, part-time four-wheel drive lacks a central differential, so it cannot be used in four-wheel-drive mode on normal paved roads, especially when turning. This is also why some people damage these rugged off-road vehicles. 2. On-demand four-wheel drive: As the name suggests, it switches to four-wheel-drive mode only when needed, usually maintaining two-wheel-drive mode. Due to inherent structural factors, on-demand four-wheel drive is more suitable for installation on front-wheel-drive vehicles with transverse engines. However, constrained by its structure, on-demand four-wheel drive cannot achieve complete flexible operation. 3. Full-time four-wheel drive: As the name implies, it is always in a four-wheel-drive state. As mentioned earlier, full-time four-wheel drive can be said to balance the understeer phenomenon of front-wheel-drive cars and the oversteer characteristics of rear-wheel-drive cars. It offers better passability in rainy or snowy conditions and provides a wider range of power distribution between the front and rear wheels.
From the BMW enthusiast circle, I learned that the standard configuration of the BMW M4 is rear-wheel drive, which offers agile handling and driving pleasure. However, it also has an optional M xDrive all-wheel-drive system that provides better traction in rainy or snowy conditions. This is not the default and requires an additional payment at the time of purchase. Rear-wheel drive is suitable for dry road racing, while all-wheel drive enhances all-weather performance, especially for owners living in regions with variable climates. BMW's inclusion of this option shows their effort to balance driving excitement and daily practicality. If you're considering buying, make sure to check the configuration list carefully. Overall, the M4's core remains rear-wheel drive, but technological upgrades make all-wheel drive a worthy consideration.
