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Hand most enthusiasts a free 4 Series and they will point straight at the M4 CS. The BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupe rarely earns the first vote. That is a mistake. This four-door blends real pace, long-haul comfort and genuine practicality. It may well be the cleverest pick in the whole range.
The Gran Coupe plays a smart game. It is neither pure saloon nor strict coupe. That swooping rear roofline hides a proper hatchback tailgate. The entire rear glass and boot lid lift as one. Fold the seats and cargo space balloons to an SUV-baiting 1,291 litres. Everyday hauling suddenly feels effortless.
The heart of the car is BMW’s B58 straight-six. It measures 3.0 litres and breathes through a single twin-scroll turbocharger. Output lands at 386 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic and xDrive channel it all to the road. Nought to 100 km/h takes just 4.6 seconds. Better still, the shove arrives almost everywhere, flat and generous right across the rev range.
On the move, the M440i shrugs off its 1,940 kilograms. The optional M Adaptive suspension keeps it tidy through the bends. In Sport mode it feels alert and eager. The steering, sadly, is the weak link. It is short on feel, and that chunky rim does it no favours. Ease into Comfort mode, though, and the car simply relaxes. The long wheelbase soothes the ride and hushes the motorway.
That breadth is the whole point. Over a long road trip, the Gran Coupe devours miles with ease. The twin dashboard screens look sharp, even if the menus chase style over clarity. The M4 grabs the posters and the headlines. Yet for the daily grind, and for the drive to the good roads, the M440i is the one you actually want. It surrenders remarkably little for all that comfort and space.
