BMW 4-Series’ New Flavour

Undoubtedly something that will will take some getting used to, the BWW 4-Series sports the Bavarian automakers ever-larger and now much taller double kidney grille as its signature design element. Translated into production with more grace than BMW’s Concept 4 and Concept i4 show cars, and with better integrated into the overall design than the big grilles questionably deployed for the 7-series, X7 and abominable 2018 BMW Vision iNext concept, the 4-Series’ vertically-inclined grille even vaguely hints at some of BMW’s best ever 1970’s designs.

From rear and side views, the 4-Series has plenty of geometric angles, sharp edges and muscular surfacing elements, resembles the larger 8-Series coupe. An attractive if not beautiful or inspired looking car from side, rear and interior views, the 4-Series is naturally positioned to compete with the more elegant Audi A5 and the Mercedes C-Class Coupe with its more rounded design. Built on a front engine and rear drive platform with 50:50 weight distribution and optional four-wheel-drive the 4-Series however loses the availability of a manual gearbox, and instead features standard 8-speed automatic across the board.

Offered with a variety of turbocharged petrol and diesel 4- and 6-cylinder engines, the 4-Series also gains a mild 48V hybrid system for improved efficiency, and plenty of tech updates in the form of connectivity and infotainment, to extensive driver assistance and safety systems. But how it drives and whether it is coldly effective or has elements of the soulfully visceral feel that BMWs of not too long ago, only a test drive will tell.

Press Release

The all-new BMW 4 Series Coupé

2 June 2020 – The new BMW 4 Series Coupé is ready for launch. The latest generation of the sporty two-door model for the premium midsize segment underscores its distinctive character profile with both a vehicle concept focused squarely on delivering dynamic driving pleasure and the clear differentiation of the coupé from the new BMW 3 Series. This is the next chapter in a coupé tradition shaped by numerous legendary BMW models. Market launch from October 2020.

• The new BMW 4 Series Coupé is ready for launch. The latest generation of the sporty two-door model for the premium midsize segment underscores its distinctive character profile with both a vehicle concept focused squarely on delivering dynamic driving pleasure and the clear differentiation of the coupé from the new BMW 3 Series. This is the next chapter in a coupé tradition shaped by numerous legendary BMW models. Market launch from October 2020.
• Sales begin with five model variants; the BMW M440i xDrive Coupé (fuel consumption combined 7.1 – 6.8 l/100 km [39.8 – 41.5 mpg imp]; CO₂emissions combined: 163 – 155 g/km) makes its debut at the top of the range. The sporting flagship is powered by a 275 kW/374 hp six-cylinder in-line petrol engine. Range also includes two four-cylinder petrol engines and a four-cylinder diesel unit. Two six-cylinder in-line diesel engines will join the line-up in March 2021.
• Mild hybrid technology for the six-cylinder in-line-petrol engine and all diesel engines sharpens their responses and optimises efficiency. 48V starter-generator boosts the combustion engine with an extra 8 kW/11 hp. All diesel engines now have two-stage turbocharging.
• All model variants now with standard eight-speed Steptronic transmission. Optional eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission with new Sprint function for instantaneous and dynamic acceleration manoeuvres. BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive available for two model variants from launch and four variants from March 2021.
• New BMW 4 Series Coupé has a sharper character than its predecessor. Precisely optimised body structure and chassis technology ensure characteristic performance attributes. Bespoke package of bracing elements increases body rigidity. Centre of gravity 21 millimetres lower, rear-axle track 23 millimetres wider than on the latest BMW 3 Series Sedan. Weight-minimised body and chassis construction. Finely balanced 50 : 50 weight distribution. Targeted optimisation of aerodynamics and reduction in lift at the rear axle.

• Lift-related dampers with bespoke tuning fitted as standard. Optional M Sport suspension with even firmer set-up for dampers, mounts and anti-roll bars, plus additional body struts and variable sport steering. Also available as options: Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers, M Sport brakes with a choice of blue or red brake callipers, M Sport differential with fully variable locking function in the rear differential.
• Standalone body design clearly differentiated from the new BMW 3 Series with clean surfacing, a striking front end and signature coupé proportions. Prominent, vertical BMW kidney grille follows the tradition of legendary BMW coupés and reflects the engine’s high cooling air requirement. Stretched side window graphic, powerfully sculpted shoulders and flowing roofline exude athleticism and sporting elegance.
• Standard LED headlights with extremely slim contours. Adaptive LED Headlights with BMW Laserlight available as an option. Stylishly darkened LED rear lights with eye-catching L-shaped light bars.
• Design and equipment lines with clear focus on driving dynamics. M Sport model available as alternative to standard specification. Also available: M Sport package Pro including eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, 19-inch M light-alloy wheels and sporty soundtrack for the interior. Extensive selection of M Performance Parts available from the launch of the new BMW 4 Series Coupé.
• New interior design centred on sporty driving experience. Driver-focused cockpit design, new display grouping with up to 10.25-inch Control Display and optional, fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster. Control panel with high-quality design on the centre console, new sports leather steering wheel and newly developed sports seats as standard, knee pads on the centre console optional. Two seats in the rear with defined individual-seat character.
• Significantly enhanced acoustic and thermal comfort compared to predecessor model. Windscreen with acoustic glass and new three-zone automatic climate control fitted as standard; tilting/sliding glass roof with transparent surface extended by 24 millimetres in length; ambient lighting with Welcome Light Carpet, Hi-Fi loudspeaker system and auxiliary heating controlled by smartphone or BMW Display Key available as options.

• Significantly wider range of driver assistance systems than for the predecessor model. Front collision warning with brake input and Lane Departure Warning with lane return by means of steering assistance are now standard, likewise Speed Limit Info. Optional Driving Assistant Professional includes features such as Steering and Lane Control Assistant with new Active Navigation and the automatic formation of emergency lane function.
• New generation of BMW Head-Up Display offers 70 per cent larger projection surface. Innovative 3D visualisation of the surrounding area in the digital instrument cluster shows the driver the vehicle and its surroundings, as well as the activated assistance systems and the functions they can offer.
• Park Distance Control with front and rear sensors as standard. Optional Parking Assistant for automated entry into and exit from parking spaces now includes reversing assistant. Parking Assistant Plus also comes with Park View, Panorama View, 3D Top View and Remote 3D View. BMW Drive Recorder creates video up to 40 seconds in length of the car’s surroundings.
• BMW Operating System 7 enables individual and personalised screens on the Control Display and instrument cluster, plus use of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. Optimised interaction between vehicle occupants and the digital companion via new graphic on the Control Display. Intuitive, multimodal operation using the Control Display (touch control), iDrive Controller, steering wheel buttons, voice control and gesture control.
• New, cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system included as standard. Fast and precise calculation of routes and arrival times, updating of real-time traffic data at frequent intervals, free choice of words for selecting navigation destinations.
• Standard smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and now also Android Auto, wireless connectivity via WiFi; information can be viewed in Control Display, in the instrument cluster and in the optional Head-Up Display. Remote Software Upgrade enables over-the-air integration of improved vehicle functions and new digital services into the car.