[ĐÁNH GIÁ XE] BMW M440i Convertible 2021 - A great compromise between performance and style

With a smooth 6-cylinder turbocharged engine, solid feel and powerful yet sophisticated driving dynamics, the 2021 BMW M440i Convertible is worthy of being a great convertible sports car for driving enthusiasts.

The history of open-top sports cars dates back to the early days of BMW. The BMW 326 launched in 1936 was the first convertible model with a roof that could be opened/closed at will by the car manufacturer based in Munich (Germany). At that time, customers were soon fascinated by the fresh air from nature and the warm rays of sunlight on their skin every time they drove a BMW convertible. Over the decades, it is this wonderful feeling and the desire for freedom that has helped BMW sell more than 900,000 convertible cars in the mid-size sports segment. But in the past few years, what customers are looking for is not only a little fresh air in the cabin but also a confident demeanor and the ability to express themselves when driving a stylish convertible sports car. And the 2021 BMW 4-Series Convertible is definitely a car that meets those desires.

First of all, let’s not mention the design language of the 2021 BMW 4-Series, which has been causing a lot of controversy recently – mainly due to the giant grille that is compared to two “nostrils” that look quite rough. In terms of design, like other models in the new 4-Series product line, the 2021 BMW 440i Convertible is also “upsized” compared to its predecessor. Specifically, the new convertible version is 132mm longer, 25mm wider, 2.5mm taller and 40mm longer wheelbase.

The BMW M440i Convertible is equipped with a 3.0L 6-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces a maximum capacity of 382 horsepower and maximum torque of 500 Nm at the rpm range of 1,800 – 5,000 rpm. Comes with an 8-speed automatic transmission and standard M Sport rear anti-slip differential. All convertible versions of the 2021 4-Series use a new soft fabric roof, replacing the hard top of the previous generation. The last time BMW used this type of soft roof in the same product segment was on the 2006 E46 3-Series model.

The use of a soft roof not only helps reduce vehicle weight but also significantly improves luggage space (increased by 34 liters, reaching 255 liters) and ensures a lower center of gravity, supporting the performance and handling of the 4-Series Convertible. This soft top includes multiple layers of insulation, finished in standard black fabric with a $150 Moonlight Black option (~ 3.4 million VND) for a beautiful metallic effect when exposed to sunlight. The 2021 BMW 4-Series Convertible is capable of opening/closing the roof in 18 seconds at a maximum speed of 50 km/h, 2 seconds faster than its predecessor using a hard top. An interesting detail is that the soft fabric roof also shows everyone that this 4-Series is a convertible version, true to the maxim of luxury car design “Don’t hide the thing that costs extra to own”, roughly translated as “Don’t hide the things that cost extra money to own”.

Changing from a hard top to a soft top brings about a key factor that many customers are concerned about – quiet inside the cabin. Through actual testing, at a speed of 70 mph (~ 112 km/h), with the hood closed, the BMW M440i Convertible cockpit recorded a sound intensity level of 70 dB. To put it into perspective, a quiet office or hotel lobby has a sound intensity of about 60 dB, while a level of 70 dB is equivalent to a normal conversation. When opening the hood, the powerful and attractive roar from the 6-cylinder turbocharged engine under the hood is easily transmitted to the driver’s ears, including the puffing sound from the intake and the aggressive sound from the exhaust. The 2021 BMW M440i Convertible only takes about 4.1 seconds to reach a speed of 100 km/h from the starting line, with the maximum speed electronically limited to 250 km/h.

Compared to the Coupe version, the 2021 BMW M440i Convertible is about 150 kg heavier – something that is not too surprising in convertible versions due to the materials and complex roof opening/closing mechanism. Of course, an increase in weight means reduced performance, easily felt in turns or with each sudden acceleration. Although it does not possess the delicate balance of its Coupe brother, it is impossible not to praise the M440i Convertible for its excellent traction control and solid body. Overall, nothing has changed as the 4-Series Coupe is still a version for driving enthusiasts, while the M440i Convertible is aimed at a somewhat gentler and more relaxing experience.

The top version of the M440i Convertible is even more superior thanks to the 48V electrical system that can immediately shut off the engine when the vehicle speed is below 15 km/h, helping the driver stop the car in the quietest and most quiet way. In addition, the 2021 BMW M440i Convertible also receives M Sport disc brakes and M Sport adaptive suspension as standard equipment with stiffer springs and anti-roll bars. Only when sitting behind the wheel of the M440i Convertible can the driver feel how meaningful these upgrades are – increased traction, improved stability, precise and agile handling, from smooth ride quality to exciting sporty feel.

Returning to the design, although the new grille of the 2021 4-Series is causing mixed opinions, this is most likely the beginning of a new era. This change is gradually shaping a new future for the German car company’s product line, although not all fans are really satisfied with it. However, the 4-Series needs to become different from the 3-Series and must follow its own path. The significant increase in the size of this grille is said to meet the need for engine cooling, while also creating a premise for adding distance sensors and a front camera to assist with parking.

In addition to the main kidney-shaped grille in the middle of the car’s front, sharp and slim headlights contribute to the new look of the 2021 BMW M440i Convertible. Standard full-LED headlight system, comes with optional adaptive headlights (Adaptive LED) with Laser lights. With the standard M Sport Package, the M440i body area becomes even stronger and fiercer thanks to the 19-inch M light-alloy wheels. At the rear, the rear of the car stands out with a sharp and meticulously cut L-shaped taillight cluster graphic. The trunk lid has been significantly shrunk, giving the car a neater and more agile design, integrated with a sturdy and powerful spoiler. Unlike lower versions, the M440i is supplemented with a diffuser located just below the rear bumper, neatly located on both sides are a pair of trapezoidal exhaust pipes that look very sporty.

Inside, the cabin of the 2021 BMW M440i Convertible has an identical design to the Coupe version, with the same excellent infotainment system, good finish quality and sporty driving position. The cockpit layout is no different from the 3-Series, except that some physical buttons have been added for the hood opening/closing function and the neck heating system – very useful and practical features for a convertible version. The front seats are comfortable and convenient enough with electronic adjustment features according to the driver’s needs, while the rear seats provide relatively spacious legroom, meeting quite well what passengers need.

In the US market, the M440i Coupe version has a listed price of 58,500 USD (~ 1.34 billion VND), while the M440i Convertible version pushes the starting price to 64,000 USD (~ 1.47 billion VND), not including 995 USD (~ 23 million VND) shipping fee. As planned, this year, BMW will officially launch the M4 Competition Convertible xDrive, taking the leading position of the M440i Convertible and becoming the most powerful version with an estimated power of more than 500 horsepower.

Returning to the 4-Series Convertible, at the end of July, some images of the new generation BMW 430i Convertible with the M Sport equipment package were posted along with information expected to arrive in the Vietnamese market in August 2021. This version inherits the 2.0L I4 turbocharged engine from the 330i M Sport, producing a maximum capacity of 255 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. In the US market, the 2021 BMW 430i Convertible is listed at a price of 53,100 USD (~ 1.22 billion VND), while the expected price of the 430i Convertible version with M Sport package when it arrives in the Vietnamese market is about 3.3 billion VND.

Quang Hung (Tuoitrethudo)

According to: Motor1