No automotive division may be more synonymous with performance driving than BMW M. As a direct nod to motorsports, which is what the “M” stands for, BMW M models are for enthusiasts who enjoy the thrill of driving on both road and racetrack. To make the performance experience even more authentic, BMW has introduced M Drive Professional, a suite of features that any track aficionado or spontaneous drifter will embrace.
BMW M Drive Professional, available in the M3 sport sedan and M4 coupe, enables spirited track driving by helping the driver find the ideal line and the perfect lap.
Four unique M Drive Professional features support this pursuit for precision:
While the M Laptimer and M Drift Analyzer help the driver with specific racetrack metrics, M Track Mode and M Traction Control allow for a customizable driving experience.
The M Laptimer supports the racing experience by displaying key metrics from a track session in the instrument cluster and head-up display. It allows drivers to see how much quicker or slower they are going—in real-time—relative to their fastest lap of the current session.
The display shows that measure in ‘plus’ or ‘minus’ time to a hundredth of a second. In addition to lap-time comparisons, the timer keeps track of laps completed, distance covered, and the session duration.
The M Drift Analyzer helps the driver better understand and improve vehicle control as it pertains to drifting. It records the duration, distance covered, and angle of a drift with a rating shown on the Control Display.
To activate the M Drift Analyzer, the driver will deactivate Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) by holding the DSC button for three seconds. They will select the M Drift Analyzer in the central information display. On the right side of the screen is the option to activate and deactivate the feature, to change the M Traction Control level (covered in the next section), and to switch between “Drift Session” and “Single Drift” displays.
Once the session begins, the system evaluates drifts in real-time. It then shows the analysis on the central information screen and the head-up display. Different parameters depend on whether the car is in “Single Drift” or “Drift Session” mode. When the driver deactivates the M Drift Analyzer, it automatically re-engages DSC.
M Drive Professional helps enthusiasts better enjoy the full potential of their M3 or M4 with a 10-stage M Traction Control system. Here, DSC remains off. This functionality allows the driver to set the desired level of intervention thresholds for wheel slip, resulting in a track experience that is highly customizable in 10 individual steps. In other words, the driver can choose the degree of control system inputs based on their desired driving style on the track.
The driver can configure the traction control in 10 steps to the point of having no stability intervention whatsoever. In steps 10 through six, the driver manages the traction part of the M Traction Control system. They can configure their traction control on the racetrack depending on weather conditions, tire temperature, and ambient temperature.
The second part of M Traction Control ranges from step five through one, which contains the so-called drift control. Here, the system consciously allows drifts to take place to slow the vehicle reaction and limit the side-slip angle. That translates to small drifts in step five and potentially large drifts in step one. With each reduced step, the yaw rate—the rate of change in a vehicle’s horizontal movement from left to right—increases.
M Traction Control helps drivers find the ideal balance of racing performance and directional stability for a given situation and personal preferences. Essentially, it lets the driver reach their limits by personally choosing them.
The defining feature of M Drive is the M modes. There are typically two M mode settings from which to choose: Road and Sport. M Drive Professional adds a third mode: Track.
Road mode is the default setting. All advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are available, and the major safety systems are active. The instrument cluster offers two different gauges: one for the current speed and one for the engine rpm. BMW reserves the middle section for displaying the active ADAS features and the navigation system. In addition, the head-up display shows the current speed, navigation, and ADAS alerts.
The second M mode is Sport. M Mode Sport focuses more on self-driving by deactivating the active ADAS, and all safety systems change to the ‘Individual’ setting. The instrument cluster changes to a sportier design display with a widget area on the left and right side for such things as tire data, engine data, g-meter, and temperature gauge, among other items. The RPM meter becomes synchronized in the middle of the display. If the driver reactivates an ADAS system while in Sport, M Mode will automatically change back to Road Mode.
Only available with M Drive Professional, Track Mode is intended only for closed-circuit use or in areas suitable for track-style driving. Drivers can enable this setting by holding the M Mode button for three seconds and confirming a Track Mode pop-up on the central infotainment screen. Track Mode automatically deactivates the vehicle’s electronic safety systems. In addition, the central information display turns dark, the audio system mutes, and all displays show only track-focused information. Furthermore, Track Mode deactivates and locks all ADAS, so you cannot turn them on—even by an accidental button press. Now, the vehicle is in true competition mode from a stability intervention and comfort standpoint.
Developed specifically for track driving, M Drive Professional is a new performance package to help enthusiasts enjoy the full potential of their M3 or M4 with key features that allow drivers to optimize their racetrack experience.
Jessica Shea Choksey is an experienced writer in the automotive field. In addition to JDPower.com, she was a correspondent for PBS’s MotorWeek. Her work has also appeared in AutoTrader.
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