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AUTO                                                                                                   AUTO
 REVIEW                                                                                                REVIEW



           As we march inexorably towards a plug-in automotive future, it’s
        worth pausing here and there to recognize notable internal combustion
        engines.
           In fact, it’s worth taking a moment to recognize internal combus-
        tion engines in general. Somehow these amazing contraptions work by
        injecting mixtures of gasoline and air into three, four, six, eight or more
        combustion chambers under high pressure, ignite those mixtures caus-
        ing a series of explosions, then use the energy released by those explo-
        sions to move a 4000lbs vehicle forward at speeds that can comfortably
        exceed 100MPH. And these engines do this so safely and with so much
        reliability that we never give what they’re doing a thought. As internal
        combustion engines begin to fade away, I hope we appreciate how much
        they’ve given us over the 100 years or so that we’ve had them.
 BMW M440i Gran Coupe, European Model shown
           The notable engine I’d like to highlight in this review is the BMW
 2023 BMW M440i  in-line six-cylinder engine. While BMW’s straight sixes didn’t really reg-
        ister in this country until the introduction of the first generation 5-series
 By Stephen Schutz, MD  sedan in the USA in 1975, the venerable Bavarian company actually
        introduced its first in-line six in 1933.
           Still, it was the classic late ‘70s 530i sedan that catapulted BMW
        into the U.S. luxury car market mainstream, and the classic 3.0L in-line
        six with its otherworldly smoothness and unique sound was the main
        reason why. 
           Fast forward 49 years and the BMW straight-six engine still rules,   have been criticized for being too Avant guard for their customers, but
        in this case boosted by turbocharging and sitting in the 2023 M440i   that’s not a problem for the 4-series. It’s a good-looking car.
        coupe. Amazingly, the much-evolved version of BMW’s classic motor   Unless you don’t like the “beaver teeth” grille. I like it, especially on
        now produces 382HP, thanks not just to twin turbochargers but also   the very handsome M3 sedan, but some observers don’t, so make sure
        to a 48-volt mild hybrid assistance system. Plus, all that now gets you   you take a good look before you click on “buy it now.” It’s not an under-
        impressive fuel economy of 22MPG City and 31MPG Highway. Lest   stated design element.
        you think that’s no big deal, allow me to remind you that the 1975 530i   The M440i’s interior is standard BMW fare, which is to say excel-
        was able to muster just 174HP with discouraging fuel economy figures   lent. Everything is right where you left it the last time you were in anoth-
        of 16MPG City and 18MPG Highway. And of course, all 1970s engines   er BMW, and I like that. Keeping things familiar is to be applauded and,
        polluted much more than modern versions do.            let’s be honest, BMW has solved the problem of putting things that need
           Not surprisingly, the M440i coupe is fast, as evidenced by a 5.2   to be in the touchscreen menus there, and keeping things that should be
        second zero-to-sixty MPH time, and it handles and brakes well, too. I   buttons and knobs there. Thank you, BMW. And thank you Audi, too,
        once owned a 2018 M3, and the “not a real M-car” M440i felt almost as   for convincing BMW that gauges should have black backgrounds, white
        fast as that wonderful car in all circumstances. I guess I’d say that unless   numbers and red needles. That also works.
        an extra five to 10 percent of performance and a few M-emblems are   The BMW M440i is a fast, stylish coupe, which I am happy to rec-
        important to you, save the additional $16,000 or so that the M4 costs   ommend enthusiastically. The fact that it features one of the last classic
        and get the M440i.                                     BMW in-line six-cylinder internal combustion engines is just a bonus
           One amusing side note: in the 1970s, racing BMWs sported a   (I would say, a big bonus). No electric vehicle can ever have that “Riz.”
        bespoke BMW M-badge that told the world that this was a “true” M-car   As always, BCMS’ Phil Hornbeak will help you get the best deal on
        that raced. Over the years many very special BMW M-cars for the street   any new car or truck you want. Call him at 210-301-4367.
        have come and gone, but none ever got to wear that badge, including the
        two M3s I owned. My test M440i car had it, and I wish it didn’t. Sigh…  Stephen Schutz, MD, is board-certified gastroenterologist
           The M440i’s exterior design is very good. The folded, almost origa-  who lived in San Antonio in the 1990s when he was stationed
        mi, sheet metal looks muscular, and the front- and tail-light modules are   here in the U.S. Air Force. He has been writing auto reviews
        as contemporary as anything for sale today. BMW’s iX and XM SUVs   for San Antonio Medicine magazine since 1995.



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