Friday, April 26, 2024
ADVT 
Reviews

2018 BMW 440i

By Benjamin Yong, 22 Nov, 2017 03:25 PM

    The 2018 model year brings with it a big refresh including numerous updates to the exterior. 

     
     

    If you’re looking for a summary to this review, it is this: the BMW 440i Convertible is fun, plain and simple. The drop-top version of this sporty two-door adds to the appeal, provided it’s sunny of course, as does the M Performance Power & Sound Kit that was equipped to DARPAN’s test vehicle for the week. 

    The 2018 model year brings with it a big refresh including numerous updates to the exterior. The headlamps are now full bi-LED as standard. The front bumper features larger, boxier air intakes similar to those found throughout the modern M lineup, and the rear diffuser has been given more definition and size to match. The light strips inside the taillights are connected rather than separate, and the indicator function is moved to the trunk section of the housing. 
     
     
    “The arrival of the first BMW 4 Series (back in 2013) marked the beginning of a new era for BMW. The Coupe, Convertible and later the Gran Coupe signposted their ‘extra portion’ of dynamism, elegance and exclusiveness over the BMW 3 Series with their own designation. The model update distinguishes the 4 Series cars even more clearly from their sister model series and ensures that this ‘extra portion’ makes its presence felt both inside and out,” says head of design Karim Habib.
     
    Speaking of the interior, our presser was covered in the gorgeous new Ivory Dakota leather upholstery option. Being October, it can get nippy with the top down, but the 440i had all the bases covered boasting a steering wheel heater, heated seats, and even vents in the neck area of the front seatbacks to blow warm air when the cockpit is exposed to the elements. Retracting the roof is easy albeit slow, taking nearly half a minute to complete the process. 
     
     
    The rear seats are usable, which is nice, but forget about trunk space. It’s bad enough under normal conditions, but if the top is stowed, you’d be hard-pressed to fit in a couple small bags of groceries. 
     
    These concerns will be a thing of the past when you set the Driving Dynamic Control Switch to Sport or Sport+ mode, however. Baffles in the exhaust open up electronically creating an essentially free-flowing exhaust that pops and backfires like no other car I can remember driving. 
     
    It’s not all show and no go – modified engine management takes full advantage of the increased flow and ups the output of the 3.0-litre TwinPower Turbo inline six engine from 320 horsepower to 355, and torque from 330 lb-ft to 369. Handling is sharper on the latest 440i as well due to a stiffer suspension, the result of engineers tweaking the dampening setup as well as electronically assisted steering. 
     
    Aside from the convertible, the 440i can also be had in standard coupe as well as Gran Coupe form. Prices start at $70,550.
     

    Highlights (As Tested)

    Motor: 3.0-litre bi-turbo inline six cylinder  
    Horsepower: 320 @ 5,500 rpm   
    Torque (lb-ft): 330 @ 1,380 rpm   
    Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic    
    Layout: Front engine, all-wheel drive   
    Fuel economy: 18.6 L/100 km mixed city/highway (observed)

    MORE Reviews ARTICLES

    Fraserway RV Named Blue Ribbon Top 50 RV Dealer in North America

    Fraserway RV Named Blue Ribbon Top 50 RV Dealer in North America
    BLUE RIBBON RECIPIENT CELEBRATES INDUSTRY HONOUR 

    Fraserway RV Named Blue Ribbon Top 50 RV Dealer in North America

    2017 Chrysler Pacifica: Upping the minivan ante

    2017 Chrysler Pacifica: Upping the minivan ante
    A bold claim for sure, but the Town and Country replacement does boast over 100 available safety features, a rear seat theatre, hands-free doors and liftgate, and a segment-first hybrid model. Let’s take a closer look at all the changes and innovations.

    2017 Chrysler Pacifica: Upping the minivan ante

    2016 BMW M2: Return to true form

    2016 BMW M2: Return to true form
    Once you fire up the motor, you won’t remember, or care, how the inside looks. Side note: a friend of mine who owns an M4 came along for a ride and pointed out a neat detail of how the start button is angled towards the driver, which reinforces the driver-focused nature of the car.

    2016 BMW M2: Return to true form

    2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC: Goodbye GLK, hello GLC

    2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC: Goodbye GLK, hello GLC
    This turbocharged crossover hits the ground running poised to compete with current heavy hitters in the segment that include the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Lexus NX, Range Rover Evoque and Lincoln MKC, to name a few.

    2016 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 4MATIC: Goodbye GLK, hello GLC

    2016 Acura TLX: Some sport, some luxury

    2016 Acura TLX: Some sport, some luxury
    The TLX is pulling double duty, filling the shoes of both the former TSX and TL after Acura decided to trim some of the fat from its four door offerings. In terms of appearance, the vehicle looks more like a shrunken-down TL, measuring nearly 100 millimetres shorter in comparison, than an evolution of the TSX.

    2016 Acura TLX: Some sport, some luxury

    2016 Lexus CT 200h

    2016 Lexus CT 200h

    If the Lexus portfolio of vehicles were to take a class photo, the CT 200h would be the shy smart...

    2016 Lexus CT 200h