The BMW X4 M40i was launched earlier this year and yet as the top model in the X4 family. The X4 M40i is a niche model which will cater to a specific demographic looking for more oomph and sportier feeling in the midsize Sports Activity Coupes. To see what the car is made of, this owner took his X4 M40i a drag race against the more powerful X5 M.
The two are not comparable by any means. While the M40i is just an M Performance model, the X5 M is a full-on M car that uses the most powerful engine ever made by the M division – we’re not including the V12 from the M760Li here because that isn’t an M-developed engine but one that was slightly tuned by the Motorsport division.
Furthermore, the X4 is smaller and a Sports Activity Coupe, whereas the X5 is a bigger Sports Activity Vehicle, with a bigger focus on practicality rather than style. However, the biggest difference comes under the hood, where the M40i model is down two cylinders and a turbo. It uses a de-tuned version of the M2’s N55 engine, making 355 HP and 343 lb-ft (465 Nm) of torque. On the other hand, the X5 M uses a revamped version of the S63 4.4-liter V8 twin-turbo mill that is now capable of 567 HP and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque. Despite the lower weight it has to carry around, the X4 M40i is still down some 200 horses and that’s quite a big difference to make up for.
According to BMW, the M40i should accelerate to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds which makes it the best model in its class from this point of view. However, the X5 M is nearly a full second faster thanks to its massive torque. Even so, on the drag strip, the X4 held its own and posted a 13.189-second 1/4 mile run which is decent considering you can then go shopping in it or drive it on a long road trip in comfort. The X5, on the other hand, posted a 12.2-second run.
