BMW 4 Series M440i 2020 review

It is the inherent smoothness and willingness to rev that mark out the M440i’s engine. However, its low-speed pick-up in taller gears and strapping mid-range flexibility are equally as impressive. The new junior M car may not deliver the same pin-your-shoulders-back accelerative intent as a full-blown six-cylinder M car, but with 369lb ft at 1900- 5000rpm, it is both wonderfully rounded and engaging, delivering strong in-gear urge together with truly relaxed part-throttle cruising.

The praise continues with the gearbox. Whether casually swapping ratios at low revs or performing shifts close to the 6800rpm ignition cut-out in manual Steptronic mode via the steering wheel paddles, it is always smooth and fast.

There are three main driving modes: Eco-Pro, Comfort and Sport. A fourth Adaptive mode that combines all three depending on the driving conditions can also be called on. New to the 4 Series is an additional Sprint mode, which switches the car into the Sport setting using one of the shift paddles.

The six-cylinder’s muscular growl and enthusiastic exhaust note, which are enhanced synthetically over the cabin speakers, are never quite as dominating or melodious as those of the petrol units used in full-fat M cars. Nevertheless, its subtle purposefulness at part-throttle and more meaningful acoustic intent under full load help to underline the M440i’s performance capabilities.

The suspension retains the same design as the 3 Series’, with an aluminium-intensive MacPherson strut layout up front and a five-link arrangement at the rear, although it has its own unique kinematic properties, and the 4 Series also gets greater camber on the front wheels. Another key development is the adoption of BMW’s lift-related dampers, which feature main and auxiliary springs as well as hydraulic bump stops to progressively increase pressure within the damper under compression while progressively adjusting the rebound properties.

However, the M440i receives uniquely tuned M Sport suspension with electronically controlled adaptive dampers. The standard wheels start at 17in in diameter and increase to 19in in combination with an optional M Sport Package Pro, which also brings the 225/40- and 255/35-profile Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres fitted to our test car.

Despite its larger dimensions, the 4 Series is easy to place on the road. Fully befitting its sporting brief, it is engagingly fleet-footed and quite incisive in its actions. The variable-rate sport steering of the M440i is direct off centre, too, giving the new BMW urgent turn-in. It’s also more feelsome than that of the old model. The way the weighting and overall responsiveness increase with lock are key to delivering a sense of all-round confidence in the well-balanced chassis as you thread the 4 Series down a challenging back road in Sport mode.

Body control, meanwhile, is excellent. BMW’s efforts to lower the centre of gravity can be felt in the way the 4 Series scythes through corners with greater enthusiasm and a higher degree of calmness than its predecessor. There’s a heightened sense of overall dynamic prowess that’s not only rooted in its firmer damping, but also its inherent balance, which is quite outstanding.

The new 4 Series Coupé has clearly taken on a more sporting role in the BMW line-up. It is now further differentiated from the 3 Series, on which it is largely based, in terms of its driving experience, being more incisive and generally more alert in its actions.

The M440i sets a high standard of performance, although ultimately it will be the milder versions on which the 4 Series’ sales success will hinge. It’s not the prettiest car BMW has ever produced, but it is one whose clear purpose and heightened dynamic abilities make it a very convincing and entertaining contender.