BMW M440i: still got it? Hell yeah
Straight-six engine, coupe body, sharp steering – BMW’s not surrendering quietly
The ban on sales of new petrol- and dieselengined cars keeps getting closer, but BMW is making hay while it can. The new M Performance version of the Mk2 4-series coupe ticks almost all the Ultimate Driving Machine boxes: extensive reinforcement, a 55kg drop in weight over the old model, sharper adaptive suspension, an electronically-controlled M Sport differential and perfect 50:50 weight distribution. The roof is 57mm lower, the car sits 10mm closer to the ground, it’s wider and it’s aerodynamically more ecient. And it will be joined by a six-cylinder diesel M440d next year, not to mention the M4.
The turbocharged petrol straight-six is now paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that brings up to 11bhp of extra power, but which also permits earlier and more prolonged coasting. Along with changes to the fuel injection and particulate filters, this energy-recapturing system makes it cleaner, more economical and more powerful; 0-62mph drops by 0.4 to 4.5sec.
The M440i challenges the driver with sharp steering that’s almost too direct and nervous around the straight-ahead position. Especially at high speed, the tiniest inputs can have a disproportionate effect. But most of the time, the steering scans the road and transmits the result to your palms with exactly the right amount of transparency and power assistance.
The brakes are strong and relentless but could do with more instant bite, particularly given the speed on tap. The eight-speed transmission is even faster now, giving a real kick in the butt during full-throttle shifts. Operating in tandem, xDrive and the M Sport diff support a dedicated rear handling bias for brisker turn-in and a lower power-oversteer threshold.
The adaptive dampers are reasonably compliant in Comfort mode, but Sport prioritises rigidity and firmness, and Sport Plus is tauter still. It feels firmly tied down, with body movements kept on a short leash.
And it introduces a new ‘Sprint’ feature. Pull the left paddle, and brace yourself as the black box selects Sport, dials in the lowest available ratio, speeds up the throttle response and releases all the e-boost it can muster. There’s nothing mild about this use of mild-hybrid tech.