The BMW 4 Series Coupé is the latest in a line of BMW mid-sized sports coupés that stretches back to the E36 3 Series of the 90s. Incidentally, the earlier E21 and E30 3 Series generations were also available in a two-door configuration, but they weren’t strictly coupes as the A-pillar or roofline were no different from the four-door equivalent.
In its latest incarnation, BMW say the coupé has come of age, prompting the company to give the new F32 model its own ’4 Series’ title under which its new design, technology and resulting driving dynamics, can be distinguished from the four-door 3 Series. In terms of BMW’s naming convention, the new 4 Series range ties in with those of the 6-, 8- and upcoming 2 Series two-door ranges.
Based primarily on the F30 3 Series sedan, as it always has been, the 4 Series shares the majority of its technical features as well as the sedan’s overall styling. The 4 Series is, however, characterised by a low roofline, long bonnet and set-back passenger area, together with short overhangs on each end, which make for a definitive coupé silhouette. The 4 Series has grown slightly over that of its E92 3 Series predecessor. A longer body (26 mm), lower roof (16 mm), longer wheelbase (50 mm), as well as wider front and rear tracks (45 and 80 mm), give the 4 Series a more athletic appearance than before.
The coupé’s visual proportions are further defined by flat and narrow headlights that reach along as far as the BMW kidney grille, together with a large air intake in the front apron that accentuates the car’s width. New additions to the profile are the ‘Air Breathers’ located just behind the front wheels. These are designed to reduce drag around the wheel arches as they channel and manage airflow down the sides of the car. The rear wheel arches are the car’s widest point, in an effort to assert its rear-wheel drive and sporty stance, while the sharply angled rear window has a lowering effect on the car’s tail, which is finished off with L-shaped rear lights.
The new 4 Series Coupé can be had in as many as five different specification levels, namely: Standard; Modern; Luxury; Sport; M Sport. In addition, there are a myriad of options that can be chosen to further enhance and tailor the 4 Series to individual preference, some of which include: 19-inch alloy wheels; adaptive suspension; park assist package; BMW Connect system; sports seats; adaptive headlights, and much more.
The interior is almost the same as in the 3 Series except for the 2+2 seating configuration. The overall layout of the interior is a driver-oriented one, as is the BMW trademark, while the blend of horizontal lines makes for a far more entertaining interior than that of the previous 3 Coupé. Familiar features include the widescreen centre display mounted on top of the dashboard, which works in conjunction with the slickest iteration of BMW’s iDrive system to-date. A ‘belt butler’ automatically feeds the seatbelts to the front passengers to save them the effort of reaching, while other practicalities include the 40:20:40 split configuration of the rear bench seat, as well as the optional ‘Smart Opener’ feature for the boot that raises the tailgate following a brief movement of the foot under the centre of the rear bumper.
The new BMW 4 Series is available with a choice of two petrol engines initially. These include the 180 kW / 350 Nm, turbocharged, 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder found in the 428i and the familiar 225 kW / 400 Nm, 3.0-litre, turbocharged, 6-cylinder engine installed in the 435i. The more modest 420i will arrive in early 2014, which will offer 135 kW / 270 Nm from a less powerful version of the same 2.0-litre unit found in the 428i. In addition, a diesel-powered 420d is also under consideration for 2014.
All models can be had with an 8-speed automatic transmission, which is a recommended option by virtue of its smooth and very quick operation. In addition, BMW’s stop/start engine, engine coasting function and brake energy regeneration technology are standard, while the ‘Eco-Pro’ driving mode encourages frugal driving practices and also turns off unnecessary ancillary devices. In the 420i these measures make for a claimed average fuel consumption figure of 6.0 l/100km and 7.2 l/100km in the more powerful 435i.
On the local launch in the Western Cape we sampled the 428i and 435i models, The 4-cylinder engine beneath the bonnet of the 428i replaces the 6-cylinder unit found in the previous 325i model. The 428i’s 4-cylinder turbo doesn’t sound as good as the old inline six, but BMW have still managed to give it an appealing note. The engine is refined, as one would expect from BMW, and power output is impressive from a 2.0-litre engine. Peak power of 180 kW is available between 5 000 and 6 500 r/min, meaning the engine enjoys revving, but between 1 250 and 4 000 r/min, 350 Nm of torque is available, helping to achieve the car’s 5.8 second 0 – 100 km/h sprint time with the 8-speed auto transmission.
The 435i offers plenty of pace, even if the car’s refinement masks it a little at times: a slightly more vocal exhaust would add to the enjoyment. Acceleration is delivered on the back of an impressive torque curve that is flat between 1 200 and 5 000 r/min, and the silky smooth straight-six revs all the way to 7 000 r/min.
The 4 Series shares the suspension compliance introduced with the F30 3 Series sedan, which has had the ‘edge’ taken off and is now more forgiving than before, yet no less competent in terms of handling. With a 500 mm lower centre of gravity than the E92 3 Series it replaces and a 50:50 weight distribution, the new 4 Series is superbly balanced. Lateral grip around the Cape’s mountain passes was impressive and not to mention fun. BMW’s DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) allows the driver to enjoy the rear-wheel drive power characteristics while steering clear of any heart-stopping surprises. The Electric Power Steering (EPS) steering is accurate and well weighted at all but higher speeds, where a little less assistance and a heavier feel would be welcome.
The new 4 Series Coupé fills the role of comfortable grand tourer and entertaining sports car in equal parts. Despite having grown slightly longer and wider, the BMW 4 Series is also up to 25 kg lighter and 60 per cent stiffer than the 3 Series it replaces. Together with re-tuned suspension and chassis configuration, it drives with more alacrity, finesse and efficiency than ever before.
| Pricing | (incl. VAT) |
| BMW 420i M/T | R448 000 |
| BMW 420i A/T | R466 000 | BMW 428i M/T | R517 500 |
| BMW 428i A/T | R535 500 |
| BMW 435i A/T | R686 500 |
Pricing includes a 5-year / 100 000 km maintenance plan and 24-hour roadside assistance.
