Sunday ride: BMW X4 M40i

BMW X4 M40i
Base price: $ 126,500
Powertrain and Performance: Turbo 6-cylinder 3.0-liter petrol with 265kW / 500Nm, 8-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive, combined economy of 9.2 liters per 100km, 0-100kmh 4.8 seconds.
Vital statistics: 4752mm in length, 1621mm in height, 2864mm wheelbase, luggage capacity of 525-1430 liters, 21-inch alloy wheels.
We like: Dynamic confident, intelligent specification.
We do not like: Coupe commits.

With so many sports utilities gearing up to put family function in the first place, it is really invigorating to drive one that fits first to the driver's involvement.

This is not "first" forever. The BMW X4 with M-bad in the test is a kind of warm-up for the X4M, which should come out after June. Even so, this X4 M40i is certainly a good idea and a good example of what M Performance offers. You can go far.

Coupe-type SUVs are considered quirky creatures at best, and the enhanced look of BMW still looks particularly divisive, earning more & quot; uurghs & quot; of what aahs & # 39; of my companions, but those capable of seeing beyond the visual will discover this second generation is as impressive as the last X3.

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The dimensional increases – it's a bit longer, wider and lower than it used to be, and the wheelbase is significantly larger (up to 54mm) – it helps to improve on its predecessor in relation to space, and also contributes to obtaining a better appearance and posture. BMW also attests to improved aerodynamic efficiency with a drag coefficient of only 0.30 which could surprise how the latest nose style is great at bluffing.

Even those who feel dissatisfied with style can, however, be inspired by the cut of their driving attitude: it is a heavy hitter in terms of performance, at the same time that it benefits of 50kg of weight, it is still a vehicle of 1700kg. the equivalent of an SUV for the Mazda MX-5.

And yet, for all this, it seems really flexible and really tuned to the demand of drivers. Dialing M at this level means accessing a rear differential and a signed suspension. In combination with fat tires and tightly woven four-wheel drive, grip, traction and excellent grip are never in doubt.

What is beyond is more exciting. There is exquisite delicacy in the way it surrounds any good path. As it fits perfectly and does not seem to care to be taken through curves at a pace where you would reasonably expect that most SUVs squirm is impressive. Then there is the feeling of braking and steering; time after time, each of them adapts perfectly to the moment. Impressive.

No need to attack. The Comfort mode is relaxed and the Eco-Pro, which has a moderate hybrid brake energy recovery, inertia stop function and a very smart, even more annoying, idle stop in the interest of the environmental good. However, it is likely that, given the badge, avid drivers will rarely if ever there. Instead, they will cut all dials directly into Sport, in full dedication to athletics and performance.

In a good way, resisting the temptation to let loose reins is futile. The energy delivery is so intense and the note of exhaustion too, presenting itself as a persistent howl, with the usual pops in overdrive. The engine reaches the full range of the red line and the ZF box provides sharper gear shifting with the option of manually moving through blades to those inclined.

The further you pull away, the more the chassis stands still. The tour is also proportional, to the point of becoming restless. However, you will endure this because it delivers so well in all other respects.

I liked that enough to start getting used to the style approach, but really the best I can say is that it's better run than before. The end is good, the face a little less.

Yes, I agree that it's cool to break with the boxy tradition, and at least now the headroom on the back is not totally ruined by the sloping ceiling down, though it's not ideal for basketball, for sure. The boot is bigger too; but the fact is that you sacrifice so much for style. As a tall person, I found it necessary to lower the seat down, not only to an ideal position but also because the sunroof decreases the available height).

This is not to say that the interior is ruined. The layout of the cockpit and the ambiance are immensely impressive; just play the right note for sports luxury. Again, obviously there's a lot in common with X3, and there's nothing wrong with that. The updated iDrive infotainment system, using a wide, wide screen, is easy to find. The Apple CarPlay interaction is perfect and I love being the only one available to rule out the need for a connection (and also provides inductive charging for phones that allow this). I also called the BMW application, to allow remote start and unlock, light activation and air conditioning and so on.

All in all, this derivative is still an invented choice; in the final analysis, much to my liking. I would have an X3 on that. So again, if I was thinking really logically, I would have a Touring 3-Series with xDrive on top of that. Best value again in all aspects.

The problem is that in this age obsessed SUV, the most obvious and logical choice is no longer seen as the best option. Which explains why X4 does not exist just in the first place, but it was designed to be enjoyable even for those of us who can not understand it.