Quote:
Originally Posted by SedateMe
I really hope they do a 440i variant with a new power plant. Hopefully the price won't be going up too much...
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I don't think there will be a 440i, simply because you have to reach the 6 Series or above to get the -40i/d designation, as the 5 Series sticks to 535i/d (though the rule doesn't apply to the X5 35i/40d). It would make sense to keep the 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Series with -35i/d in order to make the high-end 6 and 7 Series stand out as more upscale marketing-wise (even if it's only different designations for the same engines). A 440i is not impossible but it would imply renaming the 535i 540i, again not impossible with the upcoming F10 LCI but BMW seems to be wanting to stick to 535i/d so far, which also means 435i/d. Although the 435i will definitely get the new petrol inline 6, it doesn't mean that the designation will change from -35i to -40i.
An M Performance version dubbed M440i would make sense though, in order to appear as clearly more upmarket than the 435i and also to be perceived as upscale enough in the marketing battle against the Audi S5 competitor.