Approaching the car is a breathtaking process. The sleek lines that run on either side of the bonnet to the tailgate create a striking and imposing presence. Immediately the car's muscular stance and aggressive face makes you excited to find out what lies beneath the bonnet. A quick glance at the chunky, aerodynamically shaped mirrors hint that this is no ordinary BMW. The gaping air intakes and curvaceous flared fenders give the car an immensely powerful look just sitting there. The way the lines of the car flow forward and connect at the nose creating a pronounced snout upon which the blue and white propeller rests gives you the sense that the car is focussed single-mindedly on performance.
Opening the door, the illuminated M badges on the seats catch your attention first. As you settle into the seat, you notice how supportive the soft leather is, wrapping around you snugly but never uncomfortably. With a racing heart full of expectancy you push the start button and the inline 6 comes to life with a loud, low growl. The floating centre screen and buttons in the centre console all light up showing the familiar BMW driver centric layout. Everything is where you need it to be, no fuss, no drama and certainly no artistry there but it gets the job done just as well with the usual high quality you'd expect of BMW.
One hand on the chunky M steering wheel, the other hand pushing the DCT stick to the right into drive and you're off to find out what this sleek machine can do. As you set off, the first thing that hits you is the noise. Unlike its lesser brethren, the car's engine noise is always audible. The low hum of the inline 6 never lets you forget you have 431 horses to command but it is never intrusive enough to disrupt a conversation. Push M1 on the steering wheel and the car goes into all out sport plus, steering, throttle and suspension. Floor the throttle and you finally understand why movies show warp speed the way they do. The rear of the car wiggles left and right struggling for grip initially but quickly straightens out and sends you to speeds were you worry about your license. Turbo lag from the new twin turbo engine? Not one bit.
When you finally calmed down and decided to keep your license you realise you can fit a family of 4 and your groceries nicely in the big boot. Truly the best of both worlds then, performance and practicality.
BMW M Series M4 Coupe
