BMW 440i Coupe driven
Updated 4 Series Coupe’s minor tweaks make major difference
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Your support makes all the difference.The recent press conference for the revised BMW 4 Series Coupe initially seemed to rather labour on about new lights, bumpers and leather-trim colour options, which made us rather dubious about what lay in store for our test drive. Where were the big changes we’d anticipated – the things that would address some of the dynamic issues of the previous model?
Thankfully, the BMW media presentation finally got onto the car’s mechanical modifications, and we were relieved to find out these included a sportier suspension set-up, revised geometry, plus much-improved steering. Now we really were looking forward to our first drive of the newcomer.
Our initial taster of the 430i Convertible didn’t do much to convince us, as its raucous four-cylinder engine, so-so steering and indecisive auto box which left us longing for the standard six-speed manual alternative hardly impressed. But once we’d climbed behind the wheel of the 440i Coupe, we rapidly revised our opinion.
That touted improved steering is more than apparent, with more positive and accurate turn-in than we’ve seen on its predecessors, natural weighting at any speed and a much more natural and fluid set-up.
It all further enhances the improvements to the 4 Series’ suspension, which make the car feel very stable and well keyed in to the road surface by minimising body roll without ruining the ride. The BMW’s smooth cruise is complemented by the growl and muscle of the glorious engine.
With its huge spread of power, the six-cylinder ranks up among the best turbos on the market, and is perfectly teamed with our test car’s eight-speed automatic. In this application, however, the box was much more intuitive and satisfying to use than in the convertible.
Winter tyres fitted to combat the snowy conditions of our German test drive mean we ultimately couldn’t go all-out, but we learned enough to confirm that the 440i Coupe is now a much-improved proposition, even if its 430i Convertible stablemate remains a disappointment.
Those new bumpers and lights actually make little visual difference, but the changes beneath the surface have transformed a good car into a great one. We can’t wait for it to arrive in the UK.
BMW 440i Coupe auto
Price £45,120
Engine 6cyl, 2998cc, turbo, petrol
Power 322bhp at 5000rpm
Torque 332lb ft at 1380-5000rpm
Gearbox 8spd automatic
Kerbweight 1630kg
Top speed 155mph
0-62mph 5.0sec
Economy 41.5mpg (combined)
CO2/tax band 159g/km/30%
Rivals Mercedes-AMG C 43 4Matic, Audi S5
Sarah Bradley is a writer for AutoCar.
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