Want a 2021 BMW 4 Series coupe with rear-wheel drive? Then take a look at the four-cylinder 430i model. Had your eye on the more powerful six-cylinder engine option? Well, the M440i will do the trick. But—hear us out—let’s say you want a 2021 BMW 4 Series coupe with rear-wheel-drive AND a six-cylinder engine? Then tough luck . . . for now. Like some other M Performance models in the BMW lineup, the M440i will only be sold with xDrive all-wheel drive, at least initially.
Even though BMW initially announced the new 4 Series coupe strictly in rear-wheel-drive 430i and all-wheel-drive 430i xDrive and M440i xDrive guises, Bimmer’s vice president of driving dynamics, Jos van As, and 4 Series product manager, Andreas Ederer, confirmed in a recent online interview with multiple publications, including MotorTrend, that a solely rear-drive M440i will arrive at a later date. That’s good news for those looking to use the turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine’s 382 horsepower to rip apart the new 4’s meaty rear rubber.
Considering the M440i’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system is capable of sending all of the engine’s power rearward, the upcoming rear-drive model’s most noteworthy feature won’t be its ability to engage in tail-out antics, but its likely lower starting price. Expect the model to sticker for about $2,000 less than that of its $59,945 all-wheel-drive counterpart, à la the difference between rear- and all-wheel-drive 430i models.
Alas, don’t get too excited for a gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain to join the 4 Series lineup. For better or worse, the two BMW representatives confirmed the 4 Series’ four-door sibling, the 3 Series, will not donate the 288-hp plug-in hybrid running gear from the 2021 BMW 330e model to the 4. Instead, those in search of electric efficiency with 4 Series-like-styling will have to wait until the all-electric i4 hits showrooms.
The post A Rear-Drive BMW M440i Coupe Will Drift Onto the Scene Soon appeared first on MotorTrend.
