BMW M440i xDrive Coupe (2020 - )

Take a rather lovely BMW 4 Series Coupe and sprinkle some magic M dust into the mix and the result is the mighty six-cylinder M440i with its blisteringly quick pace and confident, dynamic handling.

BMW refreshed both the Coupe and Convertible 4 Series models earlier this year with new headlights, upgraded software, along with new-look interior features.

And while there are 4 Series models that are slightly tamer and a lot more friendly on the pocket, we wanted to explore the Coupe version in its most powerful guise, and that’s what the M440i xDrive Coupe delivers with its 0-62mph sprint time of just 4.5 seconds.

With a price-tag of £58,735, before any options are factored in, it’s not a cheap Coupe by any means, but this beemer boasts explosive acceleration and a cabin that is packed to bursting with all the latest techno treats.

The BMW M440i xDrive Coupe looks dynamic when viewed from any angle. As always that massive front kidney grille does divide opinion, but it certainly makes a statement one way or the other. It’s a two-door coupe with sleek curves, slim LED headlights, large front air intakes, a sculpted bonnet, rear privacy glass, a muscular rear end with twin tailpipes and plenty of M badging. 

Making their debut in a volume-produced car for the first time are three-dimensional rear Laser lights that give the units an intricate light graphic, and the exterior design is completed by 19-inch bicolour alloy wheels with red brake calipers.

Moving inside this four-seater, there are black leather sports seats that offer excellent support, along with a newly designed flat-bottomed, multi-function steering wheel. The large BMW curved display features an infotainment screen that merges seamlessly into the digital driver display  - both of which boast crystal clear graphics. There’s also a head-up display showing the speed and other vital driving information.

On-board technology is comprehensive and the car features BMW’s latest Operating System 8.5 with plenty of ways to personalise the screens. Features include sat nav, full smartphone connectivity, DAB radio, a pitch perfect Harman Kardon sound system and lots more besides. There is a simple dial to help navigate the touchscreen, along with quick access buttons to certain features, such as the media, navigation, telephone and maps.

Special mention to the stylish black, blue and red seatbelts too that leave you in little doubt this car is a little bit special.

The entry-level BMW 420i Coupe has rear wheel drive and is powered by a 184hp, 300Nm engine and it can complete the 0-62mph sprint in a very respectable 7.5 seconds with a top speed of 149mph. Our all-wheel drive test car, with its six-cylinder 3.0-litre engine boasted 374hp and a whopping 500Nm of torque and that saw the 0-62mph time drop to just 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 155mph.

The acceleration is certainly swift through the automatic gearbox with paddle shifters to change gears manually. We stuck mainly to B roads with lots of twists and turns and that’s where this vehicle really shines with confident balance through tight bends and exceptional grip.

The steering is perfectly weighted with ample driver feedback and there are drive modes to calm or sharpen up responses even further. These are called Eco Pro, Comfort and Sport – no prizes for guessing which is the most rewarding mode for any driving purists out there.

The ride is quite firm so you can expect to feel the occasional bump and dip along the way but it’s possible to adjust the suspension quite simply for a more cushioned experience when required.

You will notice an increase in wind and tyre noise at higher speeds, but generally the cabin is beautifully refined.

The compromise of coupe styling is a reduction in driver visibility. This is due to the tapering roof design, narrow rear screen and wide pillars. However there are all manner of sensors, parking aids and a camera to assist when reversing.

The BMW M440i Coupe is a two-door car that boasts distinctive styling and a strong road presence. It stretches 4,770mm in length, is 2,081mm wide (including mirrors) and is just 1,393mm tall. Those dimensions are a clue to the car’s low-slung, sporty proportions.

However, the interior is deceptively spacious with bundles of room for a couple of six-footers up front and all the powered seat adjustment needed to find a perfect driving position.

While coupe cars are rarely purchased with practicality in mind, the 4 Series does offer room in the back for two more passengers. The rear legroom is actually quite generous, although the same can’t be said for head space due to the tapering roofline design of the car. And anyone attempting to get in and out of the back seats will need a certain amount of agility to clamber over the folded front seats.

Storage space is pretty good too with a boot that can swallow 440 litres of kit and the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats allow you to transport longer items. In addition, there are numerous storage options scattered throughout the car, including a lockable glovebox, central cubby, door pockets with space for a bottle, front cup holders and a wireless charging pad.

BMW’s 4 Series is quite extensive with Coupe, Convertible and Gran Coupe body styles to choose from, the latter of which offers five-door practicality. The Coupe and Convertible are both two-door models.

We concentrated on the 4 Series Coupe for our test drive. This line-up starts from £44,195 for the M Sport version, but we took things up a notch or two with the M440i which brings more racing technology to the mix. This car cost £58,735, but the optional extras saw the final price-tag climb to £71,764.

Options on our test car included M Adaptive suspension, an M Sport Package Pro that added M Sport brakes with red calipers, sportier lights and M Sport seat belts. There was also a luxury instrument panel, adaptive LED headlights with Laser tail lights and a Harman Kardon surround sound system.

A Technology Pack included driving and parking assistant along with a head up display, while the Comfort Pack introduced an electric boot lid, comfort access, front lumbar support and storage for wireless charging.

The day-to-day running costs align perfectly with a car possessing so much firepower with a WLTP-combined 32.8 to 36.2mpg and carbon emissions of 190g/km.

That CO2 emissions figure would result in a Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax) charge of £1,095 dropping to the standard annual fee of £190 after 12 months. But as the vehicle costs in excess of £40k owners will have to pay an expensive car supplement which will add a further £410 to the annual bill from years two to six.

There’s not much relief for anyone lucky enough to be offered the BMW M440i xDrive as a business car either as the Benefit in Kind tax rating is set at 37 per cent, which is the highest level.

The BMW M440i xDrive Coupe is a high-performance luxury car that blends a striking design with powerful engineering and handling. Admittedly it’s not cheap, especially with all the options factored in, but it is the complete package for anyone looking for a thrilling driving experience whilst still enjoying many of life’s little comforts along the way.

The interior is top class with easy-to-use technology, it features a wealth of comprehensive safety features and driver assistance aids, and the performance is as thrilling as you want it to be with the assurance of all-wheel drive for enhanced traction.