BMW M440i

BMW has launched the M440i in India as a convertible for enthusiasts. It packs the same engine as the M340i, but has the ability to drop its top for a more fun drive experience.

After the Z4, the M440i is the only drop-top model in BMW’s India lineup, and it rivals the Mercedes-Benz CLE Cabriolet. But while the Cabriolet is the more sedate option for cruising, the M440i’s entire vibe suits someone who likes to have a bit of fun with their car. Why is that and what do you get with it? Let’s find out.

The nose of the BMW M440i is properly sporty. It looks very similar to the full performance-oriented M4 with the huge kidney grille making up most of its face. The bumper is sculpted with aggressive air dams and there are a lot of slats and openings which help channel air for cooling and aerodynamics. The sleek LED headlights get dual LED DRL elements and feature dynamic light functions.

As part of the M package, the grille is finished in a high gloss black shade, and the same treatment is on the inserts all around. You also get an M badge on the top half of the grille.

In profile, the M440i looks clean and sporty, especially with the roof down. The stance is low, the lines are smooth, and it feels like it is stretched towards the rear three quarters. The 19-inch dual-tone alloy wheels with red brake calipers and a staggered tyre setup (where the rear wheels are wider than the front) hint at its sporty credentials. Once again, there are M badges on the fenders, and while the car might have four seats, there are only two doors.

With the roof up, you get a conventional sedan-like look with a black finish for the fabric roof that folds away entirely into the boot. You can open or close it either stationary, or when the car is driving at speeds of up to 50kmph.

The styling at the rear looks equally sharp and sporty. The 3D detailing with the sleek LED strips in the tail lights stands out at night. It looks properly intricate and adds to the visual appeal. Then there is the bumper itself – it looks chunky and the gloss black diffused and exhaust tips further add some contrast and sportyness. In fact, the exhaust is a 4-pipe titanium muffler with titanium tips, which sound as good as they look.

BMW offers the M440i in 7 colour options: Fire Red, Brooklyn Grey, Mineral White, Cape York Green, Portimao Blue, Black Sapphire and Arctic Race Blue.

Unlike the exterior of the BMW M440i which feels unique in some ways, the interior is very familiar with similarities with a standard 3 series. 

It gets an all-black theme for the dashboard with the infotainment system and central console tilted towards the driver that give a cockpit-like feel. The three-spoke M leather steering wheel looks thick and gets some contrasting silver elements, which can be found on the AC vents and door trims. 

For the seat upholstery, there are three options to choose from: Black, Tacora Red, and Cognac. There is some ambient lighting around the cabin, but more importantly, being a convertible, BMW has fitted it with wind deflectors behind the front seats which help reduce wind noise and improve aerodynamics.

You do get four seats, but reaching the rear seats won’t be the easiest, considering you’ve to access them by folding down the co-driver’s seat. 

Features

The BMW M440i packs features like electrically adjustable front seats with memory and lumbar support, a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, heads-up display, wireless smartphone charger, cruise control, dual-zone climate control and adaptive LED headlamps.

For driver’s information and navigation, there is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with multiple layouts and themes, while media can be controlled via the 14.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is wireless, and it also gets connected car technology.

In terms of the safety equipment, the BMW M440i features 6 airbags, electronic stability control, dynamic traction control, electronic parking brake with auto-hold, front and rear parking sensors, 360-degree camera, tyre pressure monitoring system and all-wheel disc brakes.

The BMW M440i Convertible is powered by a 3-litre six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine which is paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. It puts down that power to the ground using all its four wheels, thanks to BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system. This powertrain also gets a small mild-hybrid aid. 

Fun fact: The BMW M440i gets adaptive suspension, so you can toggle between comfortable cushioned rides on bad roads and switch to the sport mode that will tighten things up so that you can hustle the car around a corner without it feeling floaty. Adding to its dynamic prowess and driving feels are features like the M sport differential and variable sport steering wheel. The car also has 50:50 weight distribution.

As far as convertibles go, there aren’t a lot of options in the country, which is understandable given our tropical environment. But on the right day and right road, a convertible just amplifies the joy you get from behind the wheel. With the M440i, BMW ensures that the feeling of joy is not just purely from the wind in your hair, but also the sensations that you feel through the seats and steering wheel, and hear through your ears. 

Ultimately, it isn’t the most feature-loaded or the most comfortable practical car at its price point, but as far the combination of attraction and performance is concerned, there’s nothing quite like the M440i.