BMW M440i Convertible Launched: A Proper Open-Top Sports Car For Rs 1.09 Crore
BMW has launched the M440i xDrive Convertible in India at Rs 1.09 crore ex-showroom. It comes in as a completely built-up import and sits in the gap between the regular sporty BMW range and the full M cars. In simple terms, this is the version for someone who wants a serious engine, open-top driving and everyday usability without stepping into a harder-edged M4.
The mechanical package is the main attraction. The car uses BMW’s 3.0-litre inline-six turbo-petrol engine, producing 374 Bhp and 500 Nm. Power goes to all four wheels through xDrive and an eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic.
BMW claims 0-100kph in 4.9 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250 Kmph. Those numbers are strong enough to make the M440i quick by any standard, not just quick for a convertible.
What makes this car more interesting than a typical luxury drop-top is the engine choice. A six-cylinder petrol convertible is becoming rarer, especially in a market where many cars at this price are either SUVs or heavily focused on badge value over powertrain character.
The B58 engine is already familiar from several BMW performance-oriented models and has a strong reputation for refinement and usable performance.
BMW has also added a 48V mild-hybrid system, which helps both response and efficiency. More importantly, the hardware below the skin is not basic. The M440i gets Adaptive M suspension, M Sport brakes and an M Sport differential, which puts it closer to a true driver-focused car than a regular luxury cruiser.
The fabric roof is another important detail. It opens or closes in 18 seconds and can be operated at up to 50kph. BMW says the panel-bow soft-top combines the cleaner silhouette of a classic convertible with some of the refinement benefits usually associated with more solid roof systems.
Inside, the car gets BMW’s curved display setup with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch touchscreen, plus the latest Operating System 8.5.
Other key features include a head-up display, 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio, powered sports seats, 360-degree camera, wireless smartphone integration and digital key functions. Safety equipment includes six airbags and the usual stability, traction and parking assistance systems.
At Rs 1.09 crore, the M440i Convertible is a niche product, but that is also the point. It is not trying to be the most practical car in this bracket. It is for someone who wants a proper open-top BMW with a six-cylinder petrol engine, four seats and enough performance to justify the badge.
In that sense, it is a very specific car, and probably a more interesting one for it. Also, it's a far more practical car than the BMW Z4, which is meant only for two people. The four seat layout of the M440i means one can enjoy open air sporty driving with the family in tow.