Car Test BMW M440i xDrive Coupe 3.0i and MINI Countryman Cooper S E Exclusive LCI
To say we were excited at the thought of testing the BMW G22 M440i xDrive Coupe B58 3.0i would be an understatement. It’s the latest version of the 4 Series and another fabulous offering from one of Germany’s leading car manufacturers.
Slick would be our first adjective to describe the exterior - the etched contours add a real depth to the outer design. Streamlined the second adjective - It’s a great looking car, with a front and sloping back that make it very easy on the eye.
We were fortunate enough to test the hybrid version - the M440i. It’s nimble on the roads to say the least and if you’re looking to put it through its paces on a track day, then the 3.0L B58 Turbo I6 engine will get you well on your way to doing so 0-60 in around 5 seconds and on to a top speed way way beyond the UK limits and handling which is crisp clean and precise virtually
second to none for a saloon of this class. Yet it is well-suited to everyday roads too, as we experienced when taking it for a spin around a slightly deserted central London. It’s a soft ride thanks to the adaptive M Sport suspension, a feature which can be adjusted for all type of driving that provides exceptional comfort even at motorway speeds.
Inside, the WiFi hotspot preparation was a very welcome addition. Connect via the heads-up-display and that’s it - free WiFi wherever you are. Add to that wireless charging and surround sound, and it’s safe to say the technological offerings in the M440i really are second-to-none. It makes for a lovely driving experience and showcases the pioneering nature of BMW once more.
For those wanting a state-of-the-art BMW, we’d highly suggest the M440i. The BMW 4 series starts at £36,500. Please visit
www.bmw.co.uk
We love MINI’s here at Car Test. The revamped design first landed on our roads in 2001, where it’s remained a firm fixture ever since. On this occasion, we had the pleasure of getting to know the F60 MINI Countryman Cooper S E Exclusive LCI.
Little needs to be said about the exterior. The Countryman looks fantastic - cute, well-built but with that signature MINI feel. It’s the beefed up incarnation of the standard MINI design, a car that retains the chic and stylish exterior of old - with the hardwearing nature of a 4x4.
If you’re looking to head off-road then you’re in good hands with the Countryman. We took it down several bumpy Somerset lanes and it wasn’t phased in the slightest (quite the opposite in fact). This is to be expected after all - it wouldn’t be called the Countryman if it wasn’t built for country surroundings.
90
The boot space is sizable, with more than enough room for muddy wellies, rucksacks and wet waterproofs (as we soon found out). It was great around town too - comfortable to drive and the rear view camera made parking particularly manageable. Couple that with the cruise control function that allows you to set a fixed speed on the motorway, and it’s easy to see why the Countryman has a legion of fans all over the UK.
Simply put - it’s a 4x4 in the style of a MINI with a wealth of features that make it ripe for all driving demographics. Consider all boxes ticked.
Mini Countryman prices begin at £23,200. Do visit
www.mini.co.uk to spec up your own versions
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MONTHLY 2021
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92
