Motoring
TRENDY BMW M440i COUPE, GRAN COUPE ARE ENJOYABLE RIDES!
OK, so the immense and vertically prominent kidney grill with mesh air intakes conveys a love-it-or-hate-it moment! But once you are agreed upon the front looks either way, there is only love … and more love … for this incredibly energetic ride. The second-gen 2022 BMW 4 Series coupe (two-door) and xDrive Gran Coupe (four-door) get an overall redo that will leave you flabbergasted. Both get a boost in width, length, wheelbase with the coupe and Gran Coupe reaching 0 to 60 in 4.3 and 4.5 seconds respectively.
Under the hood of the impressive cars resides a 3.0-liter twin-power turbo inline-6 cylinder gas engine blasting off 382 horsepower @ 6500 rpm and 369 pounds-feet of torque @ 5000 rpm. It is mated to a standard and flawless 8-speed auto gearbox, which is even more fun with moves via the steering paddle shifters. Suspension is handled proficiently via a two-joint spring strut front and a 5-link rear system. However, the standard adaptive M suspension is specially tuned to enhance nimbleness and poise when pushing pedal to the metal. And the electric power steering with variable sport has a solid and communicative feel, keeping both the coupes straight and watchful at sharp turns and curves.
Slim L-shaped LED headlights flank the noticeable grille while M sport brakes, blue calipers and the M logo are sure to grab any bystander’s attention. Walk to the rear and you will notice black edges around the L-shaped tail lamps and trapezoidal tail pipe finishers assimilated into the lower bumper area. As soon as we stepped into the airy and well-appointed cabin, our eyes fell on the massive 12.3-inch digital instrument display and the 10.5-inch infotainment touch screen. Further adding to the rich ambiance were touches of aluminum tetragon trim on the dashboard. Trunk volume is a cool 16.6 cubic feet. Other niceties include dual auto a/c, power moon roof, Anthracite headliner, power front sport seats, sport leather steering wheel, 20/40/20 rear seat, and more.
Dual front and side airbags, front knee and side curtain airbags are standard along with dynamic stability and traction control, four-wheel antilock brakes, electronic brake distribution and brake assist, rearview camera, front/rear park distance control, active braking assist (lane departure warning, blind spot monitor/detect, rear-cross traffic alert, city collision mitigation), daytime running lights and tire pressure monitoring are standard.
Looking for style, performance, sophistication as well as more space in a sport car than usual? Then the four-door Gran Coupe fits the bill. Or if you like the traditional coupe style, then opt for its sibling (base priced at $56,700). Either way, you will be content with German engineering. It’s on the finest display in these two outstanding rides!
BMW M440i xDRIVE GRAN COUPE
Tires: P245/40R19 front, 255/40R19 rear
Wheelbase: 112.4 inches
Length: 188.5 inches
Width: 72.9 inches
Height: 56.8 inches
Fuel capacity: 15.6 gallons
Mileage: 22 city, 29 highway
Weight: 4,169 pounds
Base price: $58,000
Web site: www.bmw.com
GIVE ALL-NEW KIA CARNIVAL SERIOUS CONSIDERATION!
Let’s rattle off some minivan names: Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Chrysler Pacifica. And now let’s add another all-new ride to the list – Kia Carnival, a fine and fitting replacement for the Sedona. No kidding! Annual sales of the Korean automaker’s former minivan had been dismal but we expect the seven- or eight-passenger Carnival to shake up the otherwise monotonous segment.
A 3.3-liter gasoline-direct injection power train pumps out 290 horsepower @ 6400 rpm and 262 pounds-feet of torque @ 5000 rpm while mated to an 8-speed auto gear box. The drive mode selector allows the driver to pick normal, smart, sport and eco. Looking to haul a small boat? With a tow capacity of 3,500 pounds for the front-wheel-drive ride, it’s game on!
You would rarely hear anyone call a minivan good looking but the boxy and SUV-like Carnival is just that. Perhaps, it is now the most attractive minivan on the road. Dual LED headlights flank a massive matte-chromed, tiger-nose grille to portray a handsome presence. You just cannot miss the fresh KIA emblem on the sculpted hood. The cabin is spacious and functional with a tri-zone auto a/c, eight-way power front leather seats, dual glove box, power tilt/slide moonroof, heated/cooled front- and second-row seats, mammoth 12.3-inch display screens for digital instrument cluster and infotainment controls, Bose 12-speaker audio system and power tailgate. There also is a dual-screen entertainment to keep the tiny tots in the second row occupied. The power-sliding doors open up to lounge seats with footrests for second-row passengers with slide, recline and leg extenders. So, you are basically riding as though a member of the royal family. The third-row 60/40 split seats folds into the floor. With both rear seats folded, you get an impressive 145.1 cubic feet of space.
Standard safety amenities include dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag for all three rows, driver knee airbag, electronic stability, traction and hill-start assist controls, four-wheel antilock brakes with electronic brake distribution, lane keep/follow assists, blind spot/parking and rear-cross traffic collision avoidance, remote keyless entry, daytime running lights and tire pressure monitoring system.
For far too long in the past, its predecessor Sedona was the black sheep of the minivan family. This all-new replacement should put rivals on notice. With a solid powertrain, spacious passenger- and cargo-hauling capabilities and decent fuel economy, the Carnival has arrived. Let the festivities begin!
CARNIVAL (SX PRESTIGE)
Tires: 235/55R19
Wheelbase: 121.7 inches
Length: 203 inches
Width: 89.2 inches
Height: 69.9 inches
Weight: 4,727 pounds
Suspension: MacPherson strut front; multilink
Steering: motor-driver power
Fuel capacity: 19 gallons
City: 19 mpg
Highway: 26 mpg
Base price: $46,300
Web site: www.kiausa.com
2022 CADDY XT4 IS An ENGAGING LUXURY crossover
Debuting just two years ago, it sits on a car-like framework but with all the bells and whistles you would find among competitors such as the Audi Q3 or the Volvo XC40. The 2022 Cadillac XT4 is packed with ample power, oodles of it, and luxury that only a Cadillac can deliver.
Under the hood resides a 2.0-liter inline-4 cylinder engine that cranks out 235 horsepower @ 5000 rpm and 258 pounds-feet of torque @ 4000 rpm. The front-wheel-drive SUV is mated to a seamless 9-speed auto gearbox. A MacPherson strut front and a five-link independent rear work well to absorb unpleasant road bumps or curves. Steering response with the electric power rack-and-pinion is swift and accurate. Tow capacity is a satisfactory 3,500 pounds. And you can pick tour, sport and snow/ice drive modes.
Bright Galvano accents on the front grille, satin-aluminum window moldings and chromed door handles lend the compact XT4 a classy appearance. Vertical L-shaped LED headlights and tail lamps further enhance the bold look. The crossover boasts an upscale and luxurious interior with exceptional fit and finish, gloss levels and materials. An 8-inch color touchscreen in the center stack includes capactive controls, haptic feedback, gestures and voice recognition (yes, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are now standard). The rotary dial controller with a jog function is easy to operate. There is plenty of room – 48.9 cubic feet with rear seat folded; and total passenger volume is a worthy 100.6 cubic feet. Standard goodies are dual auto a/c, eight-way power driver and six-way front-passenger heated seats, manual tilt/telescopic three-spoke steering wheel ambient lights, piano black accents on the gear shifter, satin aluminum roof rails, 7-speaker Bose audio, remote start, 60/40 rear seat and hands-free lift gate.
Dual front and side airbags, side curtain airbag, four-wheel antilock brakes, forward-collision alert, front/rear park assist, stability and traction control, rearview camera, auto emergency brakes, tire pressure monitoring system and daytime running lights are standard. We suggest going for the $200 safety alert package for its lane change/side blind zone/rear-cross traffic alerts for that extra protection.
Accommodating five people in luxury, the XT4 is difficult to beat if you consider performance, significant cargo capacity, notable fuel economy and a fair price. Rivals in the crossover segment should be watchful of this highly competent and pleasant ride.
XT4 PREMIUM LUXURY (AWD)
Tires: P235/60R18 all-season
Wheelbase: 109.4 inches
Length: 181.1 inches
Width: 83.5 inches
Height: 64.1 inches
Fuel capacity: 16.3 gallons
City: 22 mpg
Highway: 29 mpg
Weight: 3,691 pounds
Base price: $42,095
Price as tested: $55,470
Web site: www.cadillac.com