Consumers considering a high-performance sports coupe have complex demands. On weekends, they want to lap a circuit or cruise the outskirts and savor explosive performance, yet on weekdays, they need a comfortable and economical daily driver. The most powerful M Performance model in the BMW 4 Series, the "new M440i xDrive Coupe," aims to satisfy it all. I recently test-drove this online-only model, traveling between Seoul and Gangwon Province.
The body measures 4,770 mm long, 1,845 mm wide, and 1,395 mm tall. Overall, the body sits low to the ground. Up front, a large kidney grille spans from the bottom of the body to the hood line.
The split headlamps have darkened internals for a sharper look. The large air intakes at both ends of the lower bumper use black high-gloss material that highlights a dynamic impression.
From the side, the front wheels are pulled as far forward as possible, giving the impression it could sprint off at any moment. With the A-pillar, the pillar between the windshield and the front window, set back, the hood is relatively long.
The rear lamps stretch horizontally almost to the license plate in the center, giving a sleek feel. The black rear diffuser under the rear bumper, which generates downforce at high speeds, also has a strong presence.
The body is low, and the racing car-style bucket seat that holds you firmly on both sides is deep, so getting in and out is not exactly easy. But it does show those around you that this is no ordinary car.
This shows throughout the interior as well. The "M" logo of BMW's high-performance brand is embossed on the headrest area of the seat, and the same logo sits on the D-cut steering wheel. The seat belt also features the M-exclusive tricolor stripe.
Below the curved display that combines a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display is carbon-fiber interior trim. It feels sporty, which I personally found satisfying. The center console houses the start button, shift toggle, drive modes, and various other buttons.
Set to Sport mode and press the accelerator, and it surges smoothly and quickly to the desired speed. The car's governed top speed is 250 kph, and it takes 4.4 seconds to reach 100 kph from a standstill.
It is powered by a 3.0L TwinPower Turbo inline-six gasoline engine with 48V mild-hybrid technology, delivering a maximum output of 392 horsepower and peak torque of 55.1 kg·m. It fully showcased the advantages of all-wheel drive, climbing very steep roads with ease.
You hear a dynamic exhaust note as you slow down or speed up. However, the exhaust sound is not so loud that the driver can feel the vibration through the body.
The steering wheel, damping, and other settings automatically switch to those optimized for Sport mode, making the steering much more agile and the body feel stiffer. Sensitivity can also be set to the driver's preference. It remains stable even when taking sharp curves without slowing down.
The new M440i xDrive Coupe supports Eco mode for economical driving in the city. The instrument cluster shows how much driving range you have gained on the battery, and below 100 kph it seemed to use the battery as much as possible. Thanks to that, the available range does not drop quickly.
The car's combined fuel economy is 11.4 km per liter. In Eco mode, if you press the accelerator deeply, it is not as smooth as in Sport mode and feels like it pauses before picking up speed.
I drove five hours one way in this car, and for a high-performance model, fatigue on a long drive was not high. Comfort mode minimized impacts to the body.
Active cruise control was also highly useful. However, compared with other models, operation was not entirely intuitive. It does not change lanes even with the turn signal on, and on curves, a warning chime can suddenly sound and deactivate active cruise control.
There are two doors, but there is a rear seat. For an adult 170 cm tall, knee room to the front seat was generous. But if you sit with your back straight, your head touches the ceiling, so it seems difficult for an adult to take a long trip in the back.
The trunk can hold two golf bags, which is generous for a sports coupe. The price is 93.3 million won.