Fin & Fury: 2026 BMW Bluefin M4 Review

Quick Take

BMW's Bluefin M4 is equal parts familiar M aggression and aquatic cosplay: a twin-turbo inline-six hybrid system, sharper chassis tuning, and subtle styling cues that lean into the 'bluefin' motif without becoming a theme-park ride. It accelerates with the grin of a shark and brakes like it's already planning its next trick. If you like your sports sedans with a mechanical backbone and a splash of oceanic personality, this is worth a test loop.

The Numbers That Make You Smile

Here are the headline specs you actually care about.

• Powertrain: 3.0L twin-turbo inline-6 + 48V mild-hybrid + 109 hp electric boost (peak combined figures).
• Output: 590 hp, 590 lb-ft torque (overboost available for 10 seconds).
• Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch, rear-biased with drift mode.
• Drive: Rear-wheel drive default, configurable AWD with rapid torque-vectoring front clutch.
• 0-60 mph: 3.1 seconds.
• Top speed: 190 mph (limited).
• Weight: 3,750 lbs (carbon roof, aluminum subframes).
• Economy: EPA-equivalent combined ~27 mpg with light-foot urban recovery.

Chassis, Suspension & Brakes

BMW tuned the Bluefin's adaptive dampers for a firm-but-forgiving ride. In Comfort it soaks up highway irregularities better than you'd expect from a near-600-hp car; in Sport and Track modes it flattens weight transfer with surgical precision. The rear subframe is braced, roll stiffness is up, and the steering map is more direct than last year's M4. Brembo six-piston front calipers bite into ventilated, optionally carbon-ceramic rotors — the pedal is linear and confidence-inspiring, with very little fade under repeated heavy use.

Powertrain Personality

The hybrid system is not there to make the car eco-virtuous so much as to give it usable midrange shove. Hit the accelerator in Sport mode and the electric motor smooths the turbo's low-end lag into a broad, muscular surge. The inline-six has that classic BMW rasp under heavy load, now married to an electric torque assist that makes overtakes nervy-fast. Transmission shifts are lightning-quick in manual mode and suitably lazy when you just want an easier commute.

Driving Impressions

On canyon roads the Bluefin is a revelation: the rear end settles into arcs with a rear-biased traction system that encourages controlled slides if you're hungry for them. The configurable rear diff, steering weight, and throttle response let you tune the temperament from gentlemanly to mischief-ready. In traffic it behaves, in anger it barks, and on a long sweep it hums like a predator enjoying its hunt.

It doesn't just promise to bite — it politely asks for permission, then takes the corner anyway.

Design & Interior

The exterior tweaks are tasteful: a dorsal-inspired crease on the roofline, blue-accented vents, and a subtly reworked grille that reads more purposeful than gimmicky. Inside, BMW continues its pattern of function-first luxury: supportive sport seats, a driver-focused dash, and high-quality materials across the cabin. The infotainment is the latest iDrive, fast and logically laid out, with tactile controls for climate and driving modes so you don't need to dig through menus mid-corner.

Practicality & Everyday Use

Trunk space is competitive for the class, and rear legroom is acceptable for adults on shorter trips. The hybrid components are packaged neatly; you lose very little cargo volume. Visibility is decent, though the sloping rear window and sporty roofline narrow the rear sightlines — the surround-view camera is welcome. NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) is controlled well in town, but give the Bluefin fuel and it reminds you it's a performance machine.

Fish Smell & Other Oddities

Yes, I checked the pressed question: the Bluefin does not, under normal delivery conditions, smell like fish. The optional 'Coastal Leather' package has a faint marine-brightness to its leather finish — think of a seaside resort rather than a tackle box. Owners who track the car hard may report a fleeting 'ozone-and-coolant' scent after extended sessions, but nothing aquatic or offensive. If your Bluefin smells like last week's catch, you either have a very dedicated pet or someone left their bait in the trunk.

Tech, Safety & Driver Aids

Standard driver assists include lane-keeping, adaptive cruise with stop-and-go, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The Bluefin adds configurable track assists — launch control, drift stabilization, and circuit telemetry — which are genuinely useful for those who will use them. Over-the-air updates keep the map and firmware fresh, and BMW's concierge services are present and polished.

Ownership, Cost & Competition

Pricing starts in the mid-$90k range with options pushing into the six-figure territory quickly. Running costs tilt toward premium fuel and occasional track-maintenance if you exploit the car's potential. Competitors include the Audi Angler RS7 (if you want aquatic badge cousins), Porsche's 911-derived GT variants for purists, and Mercedes' performance coupes for those seeking more opulence. The Bluefin sits between them: more visceral than the Merc, more usable than the 911 for daily driving, and hungrier than most for the twisties.

The Verdict

The 2026 BMW Bluefin M4 is for the driver who wants a performance car that still has civility for the school run. It's fast, well-sorted, and clever where it needs to be. The hybrid system adds useful torque without neutering the soundtrack, the chassis is tuned for engagement, and the fish-themed details are mostly tasteful rather than tacky. If you're looking for a sports sedan that gives you the option of theatrical slides or quiet refinement depending on your mood, the Bluefin is a compelling choice.

Final score: it bites with purpose, not personality — and that's exactly the point.