When the new BMW 4 Series (G22) was unveiled there was one topic that monopolized all the talk: the huge front grille with an imposing double kidney. Now, with the arrival of the new 4 Series Convertible (G23), attention has turned to another controversial element, at least for some: the hood, which is now made of canvas.
And this is really the main novelty of this new generation, which abandoned the metallic hood solution of the predecessor (and the last 3 Series Convertible) and adopted a more traditional and, in my opinion, more elegant canvas hood.
Longer, wider and taller (and heavier, even having lost its metallic hood…), the new BMW 4 Series Convertible is more “Grand Tourer” than ever, but does that “pinch” this model's sporting credentials on M440i xDrive Convertible version?
In terms of power, only the new BMW M4 Cabrio (and the M4 Competition Cabrio) outperforms this BMW M440i xDrive Cabrio in the Munich brand's range of 4 Series convertibles. The "blame" is the supercharged gasoline-powered 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder that produces 374 hp and 500 Nm.
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And it's right here that my “enchantment” for this M440i xDrive Convertible begins, or if the inline six-cylinder engines were part of the Munich brand's history.
I know they were associated with rear-wheel-drive systems and this BMW M440i xDrive Convertible features — as the name suggests — all-wheel drive, but that's something we quickly forget when we hear the “singing” of this six-cylinder block, which it has the personality to “give and sell”.
This version also has the aid of a mild-hybrid 48 V system that "offers", momentarily, 11 hp more power.
The cabin of the BMW M440i xDrive Convertible is a great place to be…
All of this is managed by an eight-speed Steptronic Sport gearbox (with an unprecedented Sprint function for even more intense accelerations) that allows us to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9s and reach a maximum speed of 250 km/h ( limited). These are impressive records for a “non-M”.
A sports car or a GT?
Straight this M440i xDrive Convertible is monstrous. The ease with which power is placed on the asphalt is remarkable and this translates into a “bank collar” far more impressive than the 374 hp of power allows us to foresee.
And it is precisely on straight lines that this convertible most likes to “live”. In corners, there is a slight tendency to understeer, although in general the M Sport differential (standard) and the adaptive suspension (optional 504 euros) do a good job controlling the 1,965 kg of the set.
It's very easy to go fast with this M440i xDrive Convertible and on a curvy road it's possible to follow proposals with much higher sporting responsibilities, almost always because of the traction we have available and which lets us “crush” the accelerator pedal when we pass the middle of the curve without “fearing” that the rear will take on a life of its own.
But if that's what allows you to be so fast on a mountain road, it's also what keeps you from being perfect. I would like it to be slightly more agile and the rear to be a little more lively. But here we are “forced” to go back to the beginning of this essay and talk, again, about the “box” where we can “fix” this convertible.
And I have no doubt that it should be seen — and enjoyed! — like a touring GT, even though in this version the 387 hp — and the sound! — of the six-cylinder in-line make us want to see it as a sportier model.
The perfect “weapon” for a weekend getaway
It's with the hood down, in the “taste” of the wind, that this M440i xDrive Convertible makes the most sense. Not so much as an “adrenaline generator”, but more as something that helps us to calm down our spirits and enjoy the time, the road and the company.
And we can do it even with mild temperatures, as we have “perks” such as the wind deflector, heated seats (and steering wheel) and the Air Collar system, which consists of holes in the headrest through which hot air comes out ( adjustable in three levels) aimed at the back of our neck.
Rear seats are still a bit "shy"…
The luggage compartment, with a capacity of 385 liters (or 300 liters with the top retracted), is far from generous but is the perfect size for a “weekend getaway”, which is, as they say, two medium-sized suitcases. Compared to its predecessor, the gains are significant: it offered only 220 liters with the roof open and 370 liters with the roof closed.
The rear seats, on the other hand, are still a bit “shy”: with the driver's seat adjusted to my driving position — I'm 1.83 m — there isn't much room for the legs of those traveling in the back.
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But when they get fed up with walking “in the open”, the good news is that the electric drive hood takes just 18s to open or close, in a process that can be done at speeds of up to 50 km/h. And here, there is again a remarkable evolution compared to the 4 Series Convertible of the previous generation, which took 32s to complete the process and couldn't be more than 15 km/h.
Continuing with the “theme” of the hood, it is necessary to highlight the work that BMW has done in terms of acoustic and thermal insulation.
The fact that this is not a traditional canvas hood contributes a lot to this, since under the fabric (available in two tones, black and anthracite silver) rigid panels are “hidden”, a solution that, says BMW, allows the best of both worlds: the strength of the metal roof with the visual appeal of the canvas roof.
What about consumptions?
At a “walking” pace, the six-cylinder in-line of this M440i xDrive Convertible manages to “control itself” and lets us make averages around 8.5 l/100 km on the motorway, a record that rises to close to 9.5 l /100 km in city.
When we pick up the pace, consumption follows the “trip”, of course: it is very easy to make peaks of 14.5 or 15 l/100 km. At the end of this test it recorded an average of 11.6 l/100 km.
Is it the right car for you?
The BMW M440i xDrive Convertible is a flashy convertible, but it also knows how to be stylish. And if this serves to describe the exterior image, it also makes sense when the subject is engine and mechanics.
It is true that the “imprint” of the BMW M adds sporting responsibilities, even more so because under our right foot are 374 hp ready to be woken up at any time. But this M440i xDrive Convertible is much more than a car to go fast or to drift from the rear.
It is, more than ever, a GT touring, which seeks to offer a complete driving experience that touches many different points.
Of course the six-cylinder in-line, its “musical note” and the “power and fire” — namely straight — are a very important part of that experience, but there is much more: the long hood, the canvas hood (especially when is folded back), the M seats that “hug us”, the fantastic Harman/Kardon surround sound system…
For all that, I end up as I started, writing what it said in the title: this BMW M440i xDrive Convertible has the right dose of everything. It convinces us when we want to pick up the pace on a mountain road and we explore the 374 hp of this fantastic engine. week.
It's far from cheap, it has some options that could (and should!) be available as standard and doesn't offer a lot of space in the rear seats and luggage compartment.
But for those looking for a proposal of this type there are not much superior options on the market. And that alone helps justify the price BMW is asking for it.