▪ Ground clearance – 127 mm
▪ Kerb weight – 1,600 kg
▪ Cargo volume – 440 litre
▪ Engine – 2.0-litre (1,998 cc), 4-cylinder in-line, turbo petrol
▪ Max output – 184 hp (135 kW) at 5,000-6,500 rpm
▪ Max torque – 300 Nm at 1,350-4,000 rpm
▪ Transmission – 8-speed automatic, RWD
▪ 0-100 km/h – 7.5 seconds
▪ Top speed – 240 km/h
▪ Fuel consumption – 5.3-5.8 l/100km combined
BMW 430i Coupe Specifications: ▪ Length/width/height/wheelbase – 4,768/1,852/1,383/2,851 mm
▪ Ground clearance – 127 mm
▪ Kerb weight – 1,620 kg
▪ Cargo volume – 440 litre
▪ Engine – 2.0-litre (1,998 cc), 4-cylinder in-line, turbo petrol
▪ Max output – 258 hp (190 kW) at 5,000-6,500 rpm
▪ Max torque – 400 Nm at 1,550-4,400 rpm
▪ Transmission – 8-speed automatic, RWD
▪ 0-100 km/h – 5.8 seconds
▪ Top speed – 250 km/h
▪ Fuel consumption – 5.7-6.1 l/100km combined
There is a well-traveled rumor that the 2021 BMW 4 Series exterior design team has been reassigned to styling door handles and seat belt mountings for the rest of their careers. OK, maybe that's fake news. But it does prove that Germans have a sense of humor. Regardless, buying a BMW 4 Series for its dynamic thrills is going to result in people asking you lots of questions, starting not with, "How does it drive?" but rather, "When was your last eye exam?"
But first, we must discuss design. BMW's signature kidney grilles are suffering from hydronephrosis. Maybe the design team wasn't allowed bathroom breaks on deadline, and this was their way of symbolically fighting back. As it stands, the ridiculously out-of-scale grille mars what would otherwise be a flashy front clip. (There are already much better renderings circulating on the Internet.) Unfortunately, the side view isn't all that stunning as means of compensation. From one perspective, it's what happens when you ask Infiniti designers to pen the next Mustang.
With that onerous topic out of the way, features editor Christian Seabaugh moved on to better news. "I'm happy to report it drives better than it looks," he said. "Its turbo I-6 is impeccably smooth, and it encourages the driver to wring every last ounce of power out of it. Chassis is pretty nice—balanced and neutral, even with the addition of AWD. Rides far nicer than most M-badged BMWs I've driven this year. It appears like someone at M hasn't forgotten how to tune a sports car with a compliant yet firm ride." Testing director (and figure-eight specialist) Kim Reynolds added: "Nice, quick paddle shifts. Steering response is a highlight. A very powerful car that's propelled fast to the next corner with a modest tail-out drift exiting. Moderate understeer that you can modulate with small throttle changes. Brakes are strong, but there's some decay of front tire grip."
IMFO
We recently got a chance to test drive the 2021 BMW M440i. Part of the review, we decided to first take a closer look at its exterior and interior design. Before we touch on the driving dynamics, let’s first address the elephant in the room – the new grille. With more people loathing than loving it, the question is whether BMW made a good decision on the design direction of the car. Clearly, the new kidney grille are more “lung”-sized than “kidneys”. On top of this, the “redesign” of the Hofmeister kink in the C-pillar has been widely discussed in the last few months. Being a key feature of the overall design language of the new 4-Series, the revamped kink has fueled a massive debate. But let's take a closer look at the new 4 Series and its design.
Phew. At least BMW engineers weren't clowning. And here's the cool thing: This isn't even the M4, as senior features editor Jonny Lieberman noted: "A few years ago, this would've been M3/M4 power levels. The transmission is absolutely great. The ride quality is quite good. We are so spoiled." However, once you stop driving it like a rally car, one might notice fairly significant low-frequency booming in the cabin, and the brakes that are oh-so-confident trail-braking into a decreasing-radius hairpin become choppy at parking lot speeds. But when you buy the M440i instead of the base 430i, you know that you're getting M Sport brakes when you sign on the dotted line. Wish we'd asked for a standard-spec version to compare against, though. Interior design follows traditional BMW styling points, which means it's either brand-confident or tired and repetitive, depending on your level of cynicism. "It's a nice interior, but when you're starting a brand-new generation and have the opportunity to start from a clean sheet, you should take advantage of that,"MotorTrend en Español's Miguel Cortina said. Viewing outward, the large B-pillar, small rear quarter window, and high side sills make for massive blind spots—but BMW drivers don't look for what's behind them anyway, so it's a moot point. Joking, joking.
And although BMW has refined its iDrive infotainment system into a logical, smooth-running user interface, it relentlessly pushes its "gesture control" technology, which allows drivers to perform basic tasks like reducing audio volume or changing the radio station without actually touching buttons or screens. But it works only sporadically, triggering Seabaugh to respond with a more universally recognized gesture. Dynamically improved, yes. Design? Atrocious. Interior? Feels carryover. So much right but so much crucially wrong.
Power, precision and pure aesthetics. The heart of the BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé is a M TwinPower 6-cylinder inline petrol engine. Interacting with the perfectly tuned M-specific suspension components, it produces sporty driving dynamics that raise the status of the BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé to that of a principle – and visually as well thanks to the progressively designed exterior with M-specific design elements and the sporty and modern interior with its generous amounts of space. Overall, the five-door Gran Coupé offers a fascinating merger of performance, comfort and a high level of everyday practicality.
BMW M440i xDRIVE GRAN COUPÉ – PRODUCT HIGHLIGHTS.
Driving dynamics and design features of the BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé. Sporting flair down to the finest detail: the impressive performance of the BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé is based on a set of highly developed drivetrain technologies and a suspension specifically tuned for this model. A powerful and free-revving M TwinPower Turbo engine, direct steering characteristics and precise handling define the driving sensation typical of M. The M-specific design features in Cerium Grey and sporty interior highlights further underline the athletic character of the vehicle.
DRIVER`S COCKPIT & TECHNOLOGIES.
Operating concept, digital services and driver assistance systems of the BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé. Clarity, comfort and safety at a supreme level: numerous innovative technologies support you in a variety of ways during your journey. Focus on the essential – the sheer sports driving pleasure in your BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé.
Traditionalists will say the new 4-series maintains only a passing resemblance to a BMW, like an unlicensed rendering in a video game. They'll also note the attention-snaring vertically oriented grille. But what's most disappointing is that it's not as good to drive as we'd expect a sporty BMW coupe to be. The 4's redesign catches it up to the current G20-generation 3-series. Although the two cars share a 112.2-inch wheelbase, the coupe is an inch or two longer, wider, and lower and has a wider rear track. That growth brings a larger rear seat that's tolerable for average-size adults. In profile, the 4 looks almost like a scaled-down 8-series, yet unlike the 8, it doesn't look quite so much like a Ford Mustang.
The update adds to the 4's curb weight. It's now basically a two-ton car in the top M440i xDrive trim, with our test car placing a substantial 53.8 percent of that mass on its front wheels. Even with 19-inch Michelin Pilot Sport 4S summer tires (18s with all-seasons are standard), it managed only 0.91 g of skidpad grip, and understeer dominates. We've recorded more stick from the newest 3-series and even some family sedans, although our car did stop from 70 mph in a short 149 feet. The M440i's variable-ratio steering is short on tactility and has an almost rubbery buildup of force as you turn off-center. The rack's rather quick ratio only amplifies its artificial feel. Factor in the compliant ride from the adaptive dampers and the 4 has veered into grand-touring territory. It'll still happily hustle down a challenging road, but the experience isn't as satisfying as it used to be.
The M440i xDrive is still quick—3.8 seconds to 60 mph—thanks to the 382 horsepower from BMW's awesome turbo 3.0-liter inline-six. A new 48-volt motor-generator adds some pounds yet contributes up to 11 horses to assist the engine before the turbo wakes up. Lag is nicely mitigated as proven by the fleet 4.6-second time in our launch-free five-to-60-mph test. Sadly, a manual is no longer offered, but ZF's ubiquitous eight-speed automatic swaps gears as sweetly as ever. This being our first turn with the new 4, we're hoping other versions offer a closer connection. Our hope is the four-cylinder 430i model, which comes standard with non-variable steering and passive dampers, will carry the BMW dynamics torch of yore. It is currently the only 4-series available with rear-wheel drive, though a rear-drive six-cylinder model will be added later. The fiery performance of the latest M3 and M4, both of which adopt similar vertical grilles, should help us acclimate to the controversial design. But the softer character of the M440i xDrive makes it tough to overlook the 4's new face.
COMMENTES
Thank You, Jack. Been waiting for this one! And yes please to M4 Competition convertible. Imagine the soundtrack! Like the Z4, this must rate as one of, if not the best designed soft tops currently available. Looks stunning, roof up or down. Personally the 'coupe' 4 for the UK but a close run thing!
Doers this car come with a boot as well? Cause we haven't seen one. Are those rear seats real or are they just filling up the space between the front seats and the boot, which as it seems, there isn't one? Why do some car review channels, albeit few, thrive in the crowded car review journalism? Because they do a lot of homework and they study the car thoroughly before they stick those cameras on the windshield and get them rolling.
Awful review. Awful camera shots, poor sound quality and the presenter is trying to hard. Doesn't come across as natural at all.
Excellent review, I have ordered the M440i xDrive in Tanzanite Blue Metallic with black grill and it looks stunning. You have to see the car to appreciate the looks. This is my 15th BMW so you could say I'm core BMW, cannot wait till March '21 handover. This will be a total winner for BMW Manchester England
Nice review, i'm torn between this and the M340i, I've test driven both and they're basically the same, although I feel I sit up a bit higher in the M340i, but I like the visibility from the M440i with its longer doors and longer windows... such a tough one!
So my neighbor just got a white 430i with M Sport and the shadowline and I have to say that it doesn't look nearly as good as this one in Tanzanite. I think darker shades with a lot of reflectivity are going to suit this car better.
Great review! Very thorough explanations for both people that understand what BMW really is, and for people that aren't as savvy on the matter. I've watched just about every review on this car that Youtube has to offer, but yours grabbed my attention the most. Picking up my M440i within less than a week and I cannot wait, thank you for putting out such a quality video!
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