The Formidable New BMW 4 Series
Presence and Power: The new BMW 4 Series Coupe.
The fourth generation of BMW’s sporty mid-size is larger in width and wheelbase than the BMW 3 Series Coupe, and it rides lower to the road.
BMW’s short overhangs, an extended hood, the signature double-kidney grille, twin circular headlights, a large upfront air intake, drag-reducing air breathers and a lowered rear: All provide ties to the previous Coupe generation while affirming the uniqueness of the new.
Moving Forward
The two-door will be available with a high-performance six-cylinder in-line for the BMW 435i Coupe; a four-cylinder in the BMW 428i Coupe; and the four-cylinder diesel powering the BMW 420d Coupe.
The diesel produces a maximum 184 horses at 4,000 rpm with torque peaking at 280 lb-ft between 1,750 and 2,750 rpm. In just 7-plus seconds, the car accelerates from 0 to 60 and on up to 149 mph at the top end.
The 2-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine generates up to 245 hp at 5,000– 6,500 rpm and peak torque of 258 lb-ft as early as 1,250 and up to 4,800 rpm. Acceleration, 0–60, is in the flat-6-second range, and the electronically limited top speed is 155 mph.
With direct injection and Valvetronic fully variable valve control, the 3-liter aluminum crankcase engine develops 306 horses between 5,800 and 6,000 rpm; the peak torque of 295 lb-ft is available as low as 1,200 rpm and remains in place until 5,000 rpm, making responsiveness immediate and consistent through the power spectrum. Acceleration is in the 5-second range with an electronically limited 155 mph top speed.
Combined with the car’s lightweight construction and improved driving dynamics, all of the engines provide the BMW 4 Series Coupe better acceleration and lower fuel consumption. Later this year, BMW plans to offer additional gas-powered and diesel engines.
Select from a standard six-speed manual gearbox or eight-speed sports automatic, the latter allowing the driver to gear manually with shift paddles on the steering wheel.
Using the Driving Experience Control switch, drivers can choose between normal and sport modes.
The engines can be connected with the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system. With this, improved handling is apparent in areas such as steering accuracy, precision and agility. Sophisticated chassis technology, torque steer-free Electric Power Steering, 50:50 weight distribution, and a lower suspension, significantly reducing the center of gravity, help make the BMW 4 Series Coupe one of the carmaker’s sportiest series-produced cars ever.
The Inside Story
Fusing sportiness and exclusivity, the new car offers an interior in which controls are ergonomically placed for maximum accessibility to all functions.
In the rear, contoured seats are both comfortable and stylish — in line with the overall concept. Recessed head restraints and side supports make them appear as two seats rather than a traditional bench.
For the exterior, The Sport, Modern and Luxury Line packages allow for individualization, and an M Sport package provides additional alternatives to the standard model.
The Sport Line adds extra depth with exterior body features in high-gloss black. Upfront, for instance, are nine black kidney grille slats in a chrome-colored surround, and three black air intakes and breathers highlight the car’s aerodynamic features. In the rear is black trim strip and black exhaust tailpipes. And, inside are contrasted black and red accents, such as the red trim rings in the inner circle of the instrument dials and red stitching on the sports steering wheel.
The Luxury Line provides high-gloss chrome touches such as 11 grille slats with matt black sides, two high-gloss double bridges in the front apron’s outer air intakes and chrome-colored air breathers. In the rear is a high-gloss chrome strip in the apron and chrome exhaust embellishers. The interior features a chrome surround for the audio and air conditioning system and high-gloss wood strips.
Matte chrome elements characterize the Modern Line, with the kidney grille featuring 11 slats in matt chrome, satinated aluminum air breathers and trim strip in the rear apron. Inside, the light-colored dashboard is available with a steering wheel in dark oyster or black; leather upholstery or cloth-leather combinations can also be ordered in oyster or black.
The M Sport package includes various aerodynamical components as well as Estoril Blue metallic paint, an M leather steering wheel and an M driver’s footrest, hexagon/Avlcantara sports seats with M piping and royal blue contrast stitching. Technical features include M Sport suspension and optional M Sport brakes in blue paint finish.
Fuel Saving, Pumped-up Sportiness
Outstanding economy complements sporting performance and ride through the BMW EfficientDynamics development strategy, lightweight construction and aerodynamics through components such as air curtains and air breathers. Other technological features also improve fuel consumption and lower emissions, such as the Auto Start Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration and the Optimum Shift Indicator. BMW says the ECO PRO mode can cut fuel use, in fact, by as much as 20 per cent.
Also promoting energy efficiency, the BMW 4 Series Coupe now also features, with the optional automatic transmission, a coasting mode. Another innovation is the Proactive Driving Assistant.
Driver assistance systems and mobility components, standard or under the optional BMW ConnectedDrive, provide safety, comfort and infotainment services. These include the new Navigation System Professional, with better capability, sharper graphics and 3D elements for map display; the Driving Assistant Plus, which warns the driver of a potential collision with a pedestrian; the LED High Beam Assistant, Active Protection with Attentiveness Assistant; and the latest Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function.
Interface technology enables smartphones integration and Bluetooth functions, such as a dictation function with full speech recognition.
The many stress-relieving options include Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI), which uses the mobile phone network and a SIM card built into the vehicle to calculate routes and possible diversions, precisely and reliably. RTTI covers streets and highways, both rural and urban, with real-time information input from local traffic management systems and colored road markings indicating traffic flow, minute to minute.
BMW 4 Series, www.bmwusa.com