With the bold design of a 4 Series coupe up front, but a more versatile cabin at the rear, is the new BMW M440i Gran Coupe the ideal all-rounder? Greg Kable finds out.
- Great traction and grip provided by all-wheel drive system
- Engagingly direct and responsive dynamic traits
- Sporting driving position, overall cabin ambiance
- Firm ride and excessive tyre roar on coarser road surfaces
- Rear seat compromised by sloping roof and transmission tunnel
- Pricey next to other new 4 Series Gran Coupe models
The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe was originally conceived as a sporting four-door niche model intended to play a supporting role to the more practical 3 Series saloon.
But there is nothing at all niche about its sales performance since its introduction to the BMW line-up in 2015.
Predictably, the second-generation model sticks with the same design formula as its successful predecessor. It shares its front end styling with the latest 4 Series Coupe and Cabriolet, including its bold vertical kidney grille. Further back, there are frameless doors and an angled tailgate that opens high to reveal a reasonably sized boot.
The appearance will be familiar to anyone who keeps a keen eye on developments at BMW, having already been revealed on the electric-powered i4, alongside which the 4 Series Gran Coupe is produced at the German car maker’s factory in Munich.
At 4783mm, the second-generation 4 Series Gran Coupe is 143mm longer than the first generation model. It is also 27mm wider and 53mm taller than before at 1852mm and 1442mm respectively. By comparison, the current 3 Series saloon stretches to 4713mm in length, 1827mm in width and 1440mm in height.
| Key details | 2021 BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupe |
| Price (MSRP) | $115,900 plus on-road costs |
| Colour of test car | Adventurine Red |
| Options | Prestige paint – $3850 |
| Rivals | Audi S5 Sportback | Mercedes-Benz CLA |
Inside, it again draws heavily on the recently introduced second-generation 4 Series Coupe and Cabriolet, with which the new four-door shares much of its interior architecture, including the dashboard, which in Australia will feature standard 10.25 BMW Live Cockpit Professional digital instrument display and 12.3-in touch screen infotainment display. It is all pleasingly upmarket, and it operates via a seventh-generation of BMW’s Intelligent Drive operating system.
The Australian spec 4 Series is highly equipped with features such as an M-Sport styling package with 19-inch wheels, M-Sport suspension, LED headlamps, Sport seats with electronic adjustment, a head up display, wireless smartphone charging and digital radio as standard from the base model onwards. There are also a number of standard driving assistant functions, including a parking assistant with an integrated reversing assistant.
It’s the European version we’re in here, though.
Befitting the new BMW’s positioning, the driving position is quite sporting, though the 4 Series Gran Coupe lacks the overall accommodation of the 3 Series saloon, particularly in the rear where its more heavily sloping roof line restricts headroom despite a low set seat. The increase in dimensions, meanwhile, brings an additional 39-litres of boot space at 470-litres – 10 litres less than its more upright four-door sibling but 30 litres more than the 4 Series Coupe.
| 2021 BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupe | |
| Seats | Five |
| Boot volume | 470L seats up / 1290L seats folded |
| Length | 4783 mm |
| Width | 1852 mm |
| Height | 1442 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2856 mm |
The new 4 Series Gran Coupe line-up initially extends to three models for the Australian market, with the petrol-powered 135kW 420i, 190kW 430i and 285kW M440i xDrive driven here all planned from the outset of Australian sales.
The M440i Gran Coupe is clearly the headliner. It receives the latest incarnation of BMW’s twin-scroll turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol engine – the same unit seen in the M340i saloon and Touring as well as the M440i coupe and cabriolet among other models.
Power climbs by 45kW over the older spec powerplant used by the earlier 440i Gran Coupe. Torque is also up by 50Nm to 500Nm, developed on a band of revs between 1900 and 5000rpm. This gives the new M440i Gran Coupe some 25kW and same torque loading as its prime rival, the Audi S5 Sportback, which runs a turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine.
It is a terrifically well-balanced engine offering great driveability and unmistakable BMW like qualities; it is very linear with little discernible lag and loads of low rev flexibility combined with a pleasantly smooth and rev friendly demeanour higher up the range.
The standard eight-speed torque converter equipped automatic gearbox is quick to react and mostly smooth in action, whether left to swap ratios itself or when you take control yourself via the steering wheel mounted shift paddles. The four-wheel drive system is tuned with a rear bias, and comes as standard with an electronic M Sport locking rear differential, providing the new BMW with outstanding traction.
This all provides the latest M Performance model with brisk qualities. BMW claims a 0-100km/h time of 4.7sec, some 0.3sec inside the time quoted for the old 440i Gran Coupe, in Sport Plus mode. It feels quicker still in a straight line, with determined qualities with excellent longitudinal stability.
As with its coupe and cabriolet siblings, the new 4 Series Gran Coupe is based on BMW’s CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform. The wheelbase has been increased by 46mm to 2856mm, with the tracks on the M440i model up by 35mm at the front and 14mm at the rear over the old 440i Gran Coupe.
| 2021 BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupe | |
| ANCAP rating | Five stars (tested 2019 as BMW 3 Series) |
| Safety report | Link to ANCAP |
| At a glance | 2021 BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupe |
| Warranty | Three years / unlimited km |
| Service intervals | 12 months / 12,000km |
| Servicing costs | $1,750 (5 years Service Inclusive) |
| Fuel cons. (claimed) | 8.2L/100km |
| Fuel type | 98 octane petrol |
| Fuel tank size | 59L |
There’s an appealing litheness to the new M440i Gran Coupe that belies its 1825kg kerb weight. It is a very satisfying car to thread down a winding back road in Sport mode. The steering is not exactly overflowing with feel but in typical BMW M fashion the electro-mechanical system is quite heavily weighted and is engagingly responsive off-centre. Rapid changes of direction reveal impressive agility with well-checked body movements.
With a standard M-Sport suspension, the ride is a little on the firm side, though the M Adaptive dampers which will be standard on the M440i bound for Australia, ensure road shock remains quite well isolated on rough sections of bitumen in Sport. For everyday driving it is always best to dial-up Comfort mode for more compliant and calmer properties.
The new M440i Gran Coupe represents quite an advance. Although larger and heavier than before, its sharp performance and engaging dynamics lifts it well above the old 440i Gran Coupe for overall ability and driving security. With larger dimensions, it is also a good deal roomier and, with greater luggage carrying ability, more versatile than before, too.
| Key details | 2021 BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupe |
| Engine | 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo petrol |
| Power | 285kW @ 6500rpm |
| Torque | 500Nm @ 1900-5000rpm |
| Drive type | All-wheel drive |
| Transmission | Eight-speed torque convertor automatic |
| Power to weight ratio | 156.2 kW/t |
| Weight (kerb) | 1825kg |
| Tow rating | 1800kg braked, 750kg unbraked |
| Turning circle | 12.0m |
At $115,900, you’ll need to dig deep. But as an everyday proposition, its attraction cannot be denied. The smart buy, however, could well come from further down the range with either the rear-wheel drive 420i or 430i, both of which offer similar levels of style if not the same urgent performance properties at a respective $75,900 and $83,900.
The post 2021 BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupe review: International first drive appeared first on Drive.