Mercedes-Benz may have invented the “four-door coupe” in the mid-2000s with the CLS, but in my opinion, BMW perfected it with their 4 and 6 Series Gran Coupe models. These sloping-roofed sedans not only took sales from BMW’s standard sedans, but also inspired the silhouettes of mainstream cars like the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata. Today, even though SUVs and “SUV coupes” may be all the rage, BMW continues to stick to their guns with the 2024 BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupe Legacy Edition.
You may be surprised to learn that until now, the only way to get a 4 Series with a gas engine in Canada is the two-door model. Not that we don’t like the all-electric i4; it is certainly one of the more engaging EVs out there. But for 2024, BMW’s signature inline-six returns to the 4 Series Gran Coupe with this Canada-exclusive Legacy Edition model, limited to 300 units.
The M440i Gran Coupe’s look follows the two-door rather closely. The front end is nearly identical; the supersized kidney grille is still a lot to take in, but the rest of the car is actually quite attractive. I love the razor-sharp headlights, and the sculpted bumper and hood create an imposing presence. They flow well with the rest of the car’s sleek lines and aerodynamic design. Unsuspecting observers might not realize the M440i Gran Coupe is a sedan, and I think there is a lot of appeal for this sort of design in this SUV-dominated market.
EVs today are more than capable of delivering on performance, especially if horsepower numbers and sheer acceleration are the only units of measurement. In order for internal-combustion engines to compete, they need to deliver on more than just speed, and BMW has just the right powertrain for that — its 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six, codenamed the B58. The numbers are respectable, with 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque on tap, propelling the M440i Gran Coupe from zero to 100 km/h in a brisk 4.5 seconds.
But the way the B58 exhilarates goes beyond just figures on a stopwatch. You actually feel connected to this powertrain; engine response is near-instantaneous, the eight-speed automatic practically predicts your next move, and the way the turbocharger builds power and helps shove you into the seat will bring a smile to anyone remotely into cars. For maximum theatrics, be sure to tick the option box for the M Performance Exhaust.
The M440i Gran Coupe also handles pretty well. The steering is typical of a modern BMW; devoid of much road feel, but incredibly accurate and the weight in the default drive mode is bang-on. The chassis feels rigid, enabling the M440i to turn on a dime, and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive adds a sense of sure-footedness year-round — and not to mention, good traction during corner exits. The upgraded M Performance brakes offer a solid bite and above-average pedal feel.
Neither BMW nor Natural Resources Canada have exact fuel economy numbers for the gas-powered 4 Series Gran Coupe. However, the two-door M440i coupe is rated at 10.7 L/100 kilometres in the city, 7.5 highway, and 9.3 combined, which is not far off from the 9.4 L/100 km I observed over mixed commuting. BMW recommends premium gasoline, but it can accept a minimum of 89-octane.
Like most other BMWs, the M440i Gran Coupe’s interior is a nice place to spend time in. There is plenty of room up front, and the well-bolstered seats did not feel as constrictive as the buckets in something like an M4 CSL. Materials feel premium to the touch, and BMW’s iDrive infotainment has evolved into one of the better knob-based systems out there. You can input commands through the rotary dial, the touchscreen, or voice controls, and the intuitive layout overall is perfect for quick navigation without taking your eyes off the road for too long. The Harman Kardon audio system is excellent, but my only complaint is the wireless charging pad. It is a tad small considering how big smartphones are these days.
Along with the powertrain, what makes the Legacy Edition special is that BMW is offering a handful of unique colour combinations. Our tester, finished in Brooklyn Grey over a red interior, is one of three “standard” colour combinations — the other two being Black Sapphire and Mineral White, both on black leather — priced at $81,750 as-tested, and offered in 75 units apiece . The remaining three combinations are unique BMW Individual hues — Violet Blue on white leather, Dark Emerald over tan, and Imola Red on black — plus the M Performance Exhaust to spice things up, for $89,750, though each will be limited to 25 units. Given its exclusivity as the only model with this colour combination, powertrain, and two extra rear doors, there’s solid value in the M440i Gran Coupe Legacy Edition. A standard M440i with two fewer doors in a similar spec easily exceeds $82,000.
Seeing how well the 2024 BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupe Legacy Edition accommodated my family without sacrificing styling or driving dynamics proved that four-door coupes still works. We may not often see BMW’s Gran Coupe models on the road, but it is reassuring that BMW has not given up on this idea yet. Best of all, they know they still carry massive appeal especially with one of the best powertrains in the industry under the hood, and we have no doubt they will quickly sell every single example out of the 300-unit production run.
