The BMW M440i xDrive is the hottest 4 Series you can get before the full-fat M4, but does it make us aspire to a faster M car?
verdict
Looking at the 4 Series Gran Coupe in isolation, it's hard to see how BMW could nail it louder. In the M440i xDrive format of the top specs, it offers powerful performance as well as excellent riding and handling; it's built to great quality and great technology. The only real doubt comes from the brand's own scope. The BMW M340i xDrive has all the same features, but at nearly four times less cost.
On the surface, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe appears to be a niche in the already broad BMW family lineup, but as we'll see, there's plenty of reason why people might be drawn to its less traditional compact executive formula.
Despite having the "4" prefix, Gran Coupe is conceptually closer to 3 Series Saloon than the 4 Series Coupe. It has a 4 Series eye-catching toothed grille, as well as slimmer LED headlights, but there are two extra doors here, just like the 3 Series sedan. However, the handle itself is flush with the inside of the door. They look cleaner, even if they are less thick to use.
The biggest changes appear in the rear, especially the boots. The Gran Coupe is not a sedan tailgate, but a hatchback. While the total volume of 470 litres is actually 10 litres less than the 3 Series, the larger opening combined with the collapsible rear seat bench makes the available space more flexible.
Walking in, it's all typical 4 Series. The driving position can be set on the floor for a sense of sportiness, while the cockpit is slightly tilted towards the driver. At the rear, the swooping roof line means it's not as comfortable as the 3 Series (13mm less head space), but only the tallest rear-seat passengers have reason to complain.
With no plans to build this special body-style full-fat M variant, the M440i xDrive we're driving here is as powerful as this striking fast-back model.
The engine is an amazing unit. The twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine delivers 369 hp and its 500 Nm torque ranges from 1,900 rpm to 5,000 rpm. Combined with its four-wheel drive, the M440i will jump from rest and reach 62 mph in 4.7 seconds. Just 10 years ago, M3 needed perfect conditions to reach this benchmark.
Impressive is not only the speed, but also the refinement. There's a pleasant but unobtrusive roar as you accelerate, but when you want to settle down, the eight-speed automatic gearbox shifts seamlessly and the car settles down for a wonderfully relaxing cruise. Wind noise and road noise are well suppressed, and the stability is rock solid under the restrictions of UK motorways. There's even mild hybrid technology that takes full advantage of engine shutdown coasting to save a little fuel.
Few cars of this size have achieved such a comprehensive balance between comfort and composure. Drivers can use the robustness of the M440i's standard adaptive shock absorbers, but we found that body controls are still precise enough to keep them in the most relaxed state most of the time. Still, even in sport mode, the more rugged setup doesn't feel harsh or heartless.
Looking for a more tortuous path, it will soon be discovered that manipulation is still an area where BMW's CLAR platform offers one of the sharpest drives in this segment.
The entire range benefits from the widespread use of lightweight aluminium, which is made of engine side beams, spring struts, hoods and front fenders. This helps to provide an impressive weight distribution.
The M440i doesn't feel as light as the four-cylinder rear-wheel-drive 420i Gran Coupe, as the larger engine and four-wheel drive technology add hundreds of kilograms more than the entry-level option, but it still darts sharply and aggressively bogged down.
The stable traction and stability of the M Sport differential is enough to compensate for its flexibility relative to lower models. The electronic control unit is able to fully lock in certain conditions, and driving with enthusiasm allows it to achieve pleasant small slides. If we're picky, the steering weights of other compact executive models like the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Jaguar XE are more pleasant, but other than that, the 4 Series Gran Coupe is a very attractive driving car.
But that's just a minor complaint, so what's there to get the 4 Series Gran Coupe back from its five-star rating? Well, only two points.
First, Gran Coupe's all-electric version of the i4 has a larger, prettier, faster-loading infotainment system and digital driver display than the setup installed here. The second is that if you can use a hatchback, the mechanically identical M340i can be £3,810 cheaper. That's a big premium for extra styling and a more versatile boot arrangement.
Still, the M440i' top-of-the-line specifications are highly equipped. 19-inch alloy wheels, upgraded M Sport brakes, LED headlights, heated front seats and online service for infotainment settings are all included. Our cars come with the best of the £10,000 option, the largest of which is the £3,650 Technology Plus package. This adds steering assistance for highway driving, head-up displays, Harman/Kardon sound systems, wireless smartphone charging and gesture control for infotainment.