The last 180km have been laced with a pleasingly decadent lethargy. Contrary to its loud golden hue and its sporty coupé profile, the M4 has been quietly and comfortably cruising down the highway. The adjustable suspension is cushy and the cabin is quiet. The M4’s 425bhp drivetrain is sleep-walking this bit with the gearbox in seventh gear, the engine hovering under 2000rpm and the speedo needle well within the sensible range. But soon, we will step off the highway. Then, once we have sauntered past a couple of villages, it will be time for the straight-six engine ensconced in the steel-aluminium-carbonfibre creation and its gleeful driver to be on full alert for the road to Yelagiri.
Heaven and Hell
The additional perk of holidaying at a hill station is the drive up. In a good car, the festivities can begin even before you get to the top. But, if the road is good enough, then the drive up can be reason enough for a holiday, and this promises to be the case in this pairing for Great Car Great Road. Although after just a few minutes in BMW’s M4 driving up the Yelagiri hill, a question arises — do you like a spot of adrenaline in your me-time? In XL-size doses, maybe? If yes, then driving to Yelagiri in the M4 is a fantastic idea. If not, the lip smacking flavour that the bends, crests and hairpins dish out will never be realised fully.
The M4 and I are ready to taste what Yelagiri has to offer and sweep past the boom that marks the start of the climb. We are taking some time to get a feel for the new surroundings. It is a good thing too because as it turns out, the road is a nail-biting cross between Pikes Peak (because of the rapid change in elevation) and Isle of Man (because of the unforgiving nature of it). Taut hairpins, slithering straights and a rock wall that lines it all, got all our attention.
Once acclimatised, I toggle the switches to prepare the M4. Engine setting goes from Efficient to Sport+, full power is good. Suspension moves from Comfort to Sport. No, Sport+ would be too stiff for this road. Steering stays in Comfort, as the other modes only add weight. ESP stays on. And, we are ready. Go!
