This is the all-new BMW M3 Competition, 2021's hottest new super saloon. It packs a 3.0-litre twin turbocharged engine with oodles of power, with some 503bhp (metrically, 510hp) and some 479lb ft on tap. At the moment it's rear-wheel drive, which is all the better to use its 'M Drift Analyser' function (though there will be a 4wd version later).
But the new 2021 M3 is no lightweight, at some 1725kg, which is otherwise known as 'quite a lot' for a BMW 3-Series. But still it can get from 0-62mph in 4.2sec and go on to a 180mph top speed (with the optional M Driver's Package). The car costs from £74,755.
Here it's up against what is, in our minds, its greatest competitor, the 2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio. We are huge fans of the Alfa, which has no shortage of power itself, with its 2.9-litre V6 making the self same 503bhp (510hp) as the M3 but with a little less torque, of 443lb ft. But then, it has less to carry around, weighing in at 1580kg, a much more palatable figure for a compact executive saloon.
As a result the Giulia Quadrifoglio can get from 0-62mph in just 3.9sec and it has a whopping top speed of 191mph. It costs £67,995.
Which car will our testers prefer, though? Our testers Matt Prior and James Disdale head to Blyton Park circuit in the UK to find out.
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New BMW M3 and M4 Competition on sale from £74,755
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio review
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So the BMW is fugly, rides badly, has a stupid drift-analysis mode and is lardy as hell.
The Alfa is pretty, rides well, has no naff chintz and is lighter. Oh and it was pretty much designed completely by Ferrari.
Not really a tough choice.
And yet 95% of people in the market for this type of car will buy the BMW. It's a strange world.
Nice piece. The brakes you do get used to but it takes time.