BMW X4 M40i OFFICIALLY revealed – gets 335bhp and does 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds

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The BMW X4 M40i – a sportier X4 fettled by BMW’s M Division – has been revealed with a 335bhp 3.0 litre turbo. Does 62mph in 4.9 seconds.

The BMW X4 may not be the best looking sporty Coupe SUV with its ‘X6 on a boil wash’ looks, but it is a very able car, surprisingly wieldy and lots of fun – especially in top-end diesel guise in the X4 35d wher it combines big lumps of torque with surprising economy.

But now we get an M version of the X4 – not an X4 M. but in the BMW X4 M40i – which is a bit quicker than the 35d (it gets to 62mph in 4.9 seconds – 0.3s quicker) and will offer a proper challenge to the Porsche Macan Turbo.

BMW hasn’t just bolted a more powerful, 335bhp petrol turbo in to the M40i, they have also managed to tweak its underpinning too, with sportier springs and damper rates, a sports exhaust and an xDrive 4WD system that has rear-bias for a more engaging drive.

You’ll have to be intimately acquainted with BMW’s X4 range to spot the cosmetic changes for the M40i, but it does get some slight tweaks to the bumpers, grey mirrors, 20″ M alloys, chrome tailpipes, sports seats, M steering wheel and gear lever and door sills with X4 M40i lettering.

It’s an appealing package, but there’s some doubt about whether BMW will bother adding the M40i to its UK offerings – currently an all-diesel line-up – although, if the VW Defeat Device scam starts to change buyers’ attitudes in the petrol vs diesel debate, it could happen.

The new BMW X40i goes on sale in Europe early 2016.