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BMW, Coupe, Motor reviews, Sports and coupe

BMW Coupe a showstopper

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BMW M440i

By Bill McCarthy

THERE is no doubt that BMW builds some striking looking cars, with this head-turning coupe arguably the sleekest and most stylish of the lot.

Recently revised, it combines the brutal power of the straight six petrol engine with mild hybrid technology, plus specially tailored design features.

It’s a showstopper, shod with 20-inch black alloys, encasing huge red brake callipers and sporting a feline-like silhouette, it never failed to attract attention whether parked on the drive or out on the road.

The stiffer chassis builds on technology from the latest 3 series and it also features a high quality interior with a raft of driver assistance technologies, cutting edge infotainment and a comprehensive package of safety features.

Longer and wider than the car it replaces, it has narrower A pillars, frameless windows and huge doors, with extreme care needed when opening in relatively confined spaces.

What does mark it out from other BMWs however is the reworked grille. The firm describes it as a ‘vertical kidney grille’ and says harks back to a previous generation of cars. It is much, much deeper, is split by the number plate, and barely resembles the iconic kidney shape and seems much more in tune with the deep grille seen on Audis.

‘The interior is a typical BMW masterclass, with high quality materials and subtle ambient lighting’

Flanked by slim LED light clusters and deep airscoops, it is a controversial move for BMW purists, a couple of whom registered their disapproval with me. Less so with non-BMW owners, who admired the look.

 The rear end styling is also striking and incorporates slim, darkened full-LED rear lights, dual exhausts and a subtle M Sport spoiler.

Power comes from the three litre turbo-charged six-cylinder engine, which is now mated with a 48-volt mild hybrid system which adds a further 11bhp of on-demand power. 

Here recuperated energy can be supplied to supplement the 12V electrical system, like the stop/start, or used for generating additional drive power when fed back to the 48V starter-generator. When the car is accelerating, the generator is also able to offer the driver an electric boost effect.

Not that it particularly needs that 11bhp in acceleration terms, as the car rockets to 60mph in just 4.5 seconds, accompanied by the six-cylinder roar, much amplified by the twin tailpipes.

It generates 374bhp and a huge maximum torque of 500Nm. Brutal performance while still returning average fuel consumption of around 40mpg, truly impressive for such a powerful beast.

It is an engaging driving experience, either in full auto or using the shifter paddles behind the steering wheel to race though the eight-speed box. The six-pot burble is always in the background, even when just depressing the starter button, a reminder of the power under the bonnet.

The interior is a masterclass, a four-seater, although the rear two are cramped in 2+2 style, with limited headroom. It offers high quality materials and subtle ambient lighting.

M Sport models also include specific sport pedals, driver’s footrest and the powered red leather seats match contrasting dark soft touch finish, thick carpets and anthracite headlining.

This model also has multi-function M leather steering wheel and 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster display bearing the M logo and digital radio. Options included enhanced Bluetooth with wireless charging, drive recorder and gesture control.

Central is the 10.3 touchscreen in the middle of the dash, with the central rotary iDrive on the console controlling infotainment, sat nav and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, 

In addition the BMW Connected Package Professional adds remote services and real time traffic information. 

On the road, the car is stunningly quick, throwing you back in your seat, but all that power requires the technology to keep it on the road and safe. It delivers this in spades, with the xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system sending power to the wheels as required, while the stiffened body structure and suspension mountings give greater stability. The handling is peerless with the slip differential, adaptive suspension and active chassis keeping the car firmly planted while sweeing through tight bends and the beautifully weighted steering is direct and responsive.

Practicality is good with a large boot which has a capacity of 444 litres which is supplemented by a 40:20:40 split backrest, and a large central oddments bin.

Safety kit is comprehensive, with a full complement of airbags, including steering wheel bag, traction and stability control plus, plus lane change warning, crossing traffic warning, rear-end collision warning and speed limit information.

Te downside is that on BMWs you can spend a small fortune on optional extras that come as standard on some competitors. This model included eight grand’s worth of enhanced, safety, communication and extra comfort features, whacking the total price to nearly £62k. Question is, do you need them?

Factile

BMW M440i xDrive Coupe

Price: £52,100

Mechanical: 374bhp, 2,998, six cylinder petrol engine driving all wheels via eight speed Steptronic auto gearbox

Max speed: 155mph

0-62mph: 4.5 seconds

Combined mpg: 39.8-41.5 

Insurance group: 40

CO2 emissions: 155-163g/km

BiK rating: 36%

Warranty: 3yrs/unlimited miles

Citroen, First drive

Slick Citroen a smooth operator

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Citroen C4 – First drive

I had to do a double take when first seeing the new Citroen C4  in the flesh, or the metal, if you like.

I have to admit that one of my favourite looking motors on the market is the Mazda CX, hence the double take at the latest version of the hatchback from Citroen, which looks just as stylish, but still unmistakably a Citroen.

It makes a statement in many ways, taking on such formidable rivals as the Golf, Focus and Astra, not to mention its own stablemate the Peugeot 308. With a choice of petrol, diesel and pure electric versions it is also a vehicle very much designed for comfort.

It has bold styling and a range of power units that include the all-electric ë-C4, which offers a range of 200 miles-plus between charges. It also puts the emphasis on comfort with the firm’s specially padded seats with hydraulic cushions, a softish, but comfortable ride and high quality fixtures and fittings.

“The stylish new C4 has thrown down the gauntlet to the market leaders”

The new model also offers 20 driver assistance features, including Highway Driving Assist and a level-two semi-autonomous system that incorporates adaptive cruise control and lane keeping.

 Designers have combined hatchback practicality with the bold, muscular styling of a crossover/SUV and swooping, coupe-like sleekness. Add to this stylish, slim LEDs as part of the lighting cluster, together with chunky wheel arches and side cladding and you have a very stylish vehicle.

 To the rear it has a sloping rear window and spoiler, which the firm says draws its inspiration from the 2004 C4 Coupé with its original two-piece rear window topped by an aerodynamic spoiler.

 Inside too, it offers bold, yet simplistic styling, with the focus being on comfort. The centre point is the familiar 10-inch touchscreen which controls the major functions of the car like infotainment, connectivity and navigation.

The infotainment features Citroen’s navigation system and connectivity is compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. A full HD camera, which can take photos or video stored on a 16GB memory card, is built into the rear-view mirror.

Controls are supplemented by the flat-bottomed, multi-function steering wheel.

The clever tablet holder in front of the passenger seat in the new Citroen C4

The cars driven here offer important choices for buyers. The three-cylinder 1.2 litre petrol engine, available in 100, 130 and 155PS power ranges, are gutsy units that give brisk acceleration and good economy, with up to 50mpg claimed while delivering the throaty rasp associated with three pot engines.

The 100kW (136bhp) electric unit also driven here offers typical electric vehicle electric pace, hitting 60mph in just nine seconds, while at the same time offering big savings on fuel costs and both road and benefit in kind tax savings through zero tailpipe emissions, only offset by the still cheap electric charging costs. It has a WLTP range of 217 miles and in common with the EV trend, only slightly different blue flashes and badging distinguishes it from the combustion engine sibling.

In addition, diesel, long associated with the French brand, has not been abandoned either with a 102PS 1.5 litre option offering typical turbo diesel punch and high levels of torque and economy, aimed at those clocking up high mileage.   A six-speed manual or eight-speed auto gearbox is offered on combustion models.

 Despite its sporty profile, comfort is very much a key factor from the comfortable seats, wide wraparound effect dash and soft touch finish to doors and dash and ambient lighting giving it an upmarket feel. 

  The comfort of the ride and seating arrangement and uprated sound deadening technology make the car feel refined, with only the rasp of the three pot engine under heavy acceleration. The electric vehicle is virtually silent with only a hint of road noise intruding on poorer road surfaces.

As a hatchback it is practical with a 380 litre boot, where capacity can be increased by folding the rear seats. An additional 16 storage compartments offer an extra 39 litres of space and unique to the C4 and a neat touch, is a retractable system designed to hold a tablet computer, built  directly built into the dashboard.

In addition to the entry level Sense petrol starting at £21,000, there are Sense Plus, Shine and Shine Plus. The EV version will cost a smidge under £30k.

Stylish, economical and with an electric variant, the new C4 has thrown down the gauntlet to the market leaders.