Photo: BMW
BMW is milking the M Performance cow for all she's got with the all-new X4 M40i model, the hottest version yet of its smaller Sports Activity Coupe (SAC). Even though it's not a true M car, like the X5 M, we still think the flagship X4 will be able to set your pants on fire.
When we wanted to review the X4 for the first time, BMW sent us the xDrive35i model. There was nothing wrong with its pulling power, as the 306 PS 3-liter turbo made short work of the 1.8-ton SAC. But more power never hurt anybody, so the M40i goes one-up with a better version of the firm’s celebrated 3.0 liter straight-six turbo. This time, the output is 360 PS or 355-hp for the US models.
Couple that with the 465 Nm (343 lb-ft) of torque and you begin to understand how the X4 now manages to get from 0 to 100 km/h in only 4.8 seconds and easily reach 250 km/h (155 mph). For the record, that's a 0.6-second improvement over the xDrive35i.
Visually speaking, not a lot differs between the M40i and a regular M Sport package. At the front, we notice extra chromed louvers right below the fog lights, while new mirror caps in Ferric Grey and 20-inch M double-spoke wheels finish off the profile.
But the easiest way to tell the M40i apart from the other models is the exhaust system, which features Chrome Black tailpipes on both sides of the rear bumper, just like the M235i. Daddy likes!
The same small but good tweaks are seen inside, where BMW installed an M leather steering wheel, M gear shift lever, sports seats and door sills. There are more M badges than we can count, but no BMW fanatic will be put off by that.
The M40i is still equipped with the 8-speed automatic transmission from ZF. M-specific sports suspension brings stronger springs and stabilizers. The xDrive system has also been tweaked a little, but it's not going to be in the same league as the Macan Turbo.
According to BMW USA, the new X4 M40i will hit the market in February 2016. Pricing is yet to be announced, but we should see it rise to about $54,000.
Couple that with the 465 Nm (343 lb-ft) of torque and you begin to understand how the X4 now manages to get from 0 to 100 km/h in only 4.8 seconds and easily reach 250 km/h (155 mph). For the record, that's a 0.6-second improvement over the xDrive35i.
Visually speaking, not a lot differs between the M40i and a regular M Sport package. At the front, we notice extra chromed louvers right below the fog lights, while new mirror caps in Ferric Grey and 20-inch M double-spoke wheels finish off the profile.
But the easiest way to tell the M40i apart from the other models is the exhaust system, which features Chrome Black tailpipes on both sides of the rear bumper, just like the M235i. Daddy likes!
The same small but good tweaks are seen inside, where BMW installed an M leather steering wheel, M gear shift lever, sports seats and door sills. There are more M badges than we can count, but no BMW fanatic will be put off by that.
The M40i is still equipped with the 8-speed automatic transmission from ZF. M-specific sports suspension brings stronger springs and stabilizers. The xDrive system has also been tweaked a little, but it's not going to be in the same league as the Macan Turbo.
According to BMW USA, the new X4 M40i will hit the market in February 2016. Pricing is yet to be announced, but we should see it rise to about $54,000.
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