BMW 4 Series Coupe from $69,500

BMW has released its new 4 Series Coupe range in Australia, comprising four model variants and priced from $69,500 plus on-road costs -- almost $5000 higher than the E92 3 Series Coupe it replaces.

That price applies to the new entry-level 420i, which will arrive in January and replaces the 320d (previously priced from $64,900) at base level, while the 420d costs $71,800 -- $1400 less than the price announced by BMW Australia in early August.

Pricing for the 428i has been reduced by an even bigger amount, its $80,500 pricetag being $6000 less than originally announced, while the range-topping 435i (until the M4 super-coupe arrives next year) remains unchanged at $108,500 – almost $9000 more than the 335i.

Unlike the 3 Series Coupe, an eight-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters will be standard across the 4 Series line-up, with a six-speed manual available by special request for the same price.

Including the auto and other additional standard equipment, BMW says both 420 models offer about $7000 of extra value over the 320d, while the 428i represents $8000 better value than the outgoing six-cylinder i and the 435i brings $6000 of added value over the previous 335i.

BMW says the 4 Series stacks up well against its chief rivals, with the base 420i priced halfway between Mercedes-Benz’s (1.6-litre) C 180 Coupe ($59,900) and (2.0-litre) E 200 Coupe at $79,900, although Audi’s A5 1.8 TFSI Coupe ($66,900) is $2600 cheaper.

In diesel terms, the 420d is $3100 more expensive than the A5 2.0 TDI ($68,700), while at $71,900 the C 250 CDI is just $100 pricier and the E 250 CDI is some $27,100 costlier at $98,900.

The 428i, meantime, is about $10,000 more expensive than the C 250 ($70,400) but $400 more affordable than the A5 2.0 TFSI quattro ($80,900), while the 435i is almost $9000 steeper than the C 350 ($99,545) and $8200 upstream of the A5 3.0 TFSI quattro ($100,300).

Apart from their engines, the entry-level 420i and 420d come with the same standard equipment, including 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate-control, automatically adjusting bi-xenon headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a self-dimming rear-view mirror, fully electric front sports seats with memory functions, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, satellite-navigation, six-speaker audio, Dakota leather upholstery and a 60/40-split folding rear seatback.

Standard safety technologies across the range include six airbags, a host of dynamic stability controls, reversing camera and front and rear parking sensors. New (but optional) safety technologies include adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning.

In addition, the mid-range 428i offers 19-inch alloys, power-adjustable front lumbar support, a nine-speaker stereo, auto-dimming exterior mirrors and Professional navigation with larger 8.8-inch infotainment screen, DVD drive and 20GB hard disc.

To this, the top-shelf 435i adds an M Sport package as standard, including 19-inch 'M' double-spoke alloy wheels, variable sport steering, M adaptive suspension, beefed-up four-piston M Sport front brake calipers, an M leather steering wheel, Comfort Access, a 600-Watt 16-speaker harman/kardon surround sound system and an M Sport body kit.

Sport Line or Luxury Line trim packages can be requested at no extra cost, the Sport pack adding gloss black exterior highlights, a black chromes exhaust tip, chromed pearl grey interior highlights, a sport leather steering wheel and two leather colour options.

The Luxury pack comprises chrome exterior trim and a choice of Saddle brown, Veneto beige or black leather upholstery, while different alloy wheel designs are also included. Interior designs are similar to the 3 Series sedan but with a body colour-matched trim strip across the dash and doors.

The extensive options list is led by adaptive LED headlights with automatic high-beam, adding further aggression to the 4 Series Coupe’s armoury and costing between $2539 and $3300, depending on whether the total vehicle cost exceeds the $75,000 luxury car tax threshold.

Adaptive suspension damping ($1692-$2200) and Sport steering ($400-$520) can also be optioned in the 420i and 420d, while the 435i’s M Sport kit -- including adaptive suspension – costs $3231-$4200 on the 420i and 420d, and $1538-$2000 on the 428i.

Available across the range is a sunroof ($2246-$2920), driving assistant (including lane departure warning – $692-$900), active cruise control ($1231-$1600), surround view camera ($1000-$1300), automatic parking ($519-$675), head-up display ($1308-$1700), a digital radio tuner ($385-$500) and metallic paint ($1840).

The 4 Series Coupe is based on the same platform (and 50mm-longer 2810mm) wheelbase as last year’s new 3 Series sedan, but brings an 80mm wider rear wheel track.

That makes the rear wheel-arches the widest part of the 4 Series – a first for any BMW – and although it retains its sleek, long-bonnet, narrow-glasshouse design, it’s 26mm longer than the 3 Series Coupe at 4638mm, as well as 43mm wider at 1825mm and 16mm lower at 1362mm.

BMW says most aero work has occurred underneath the 4 Series, resulting in an aerodynamic drag factor of 0.28Cd and reducing lift levels to that of the outgoing M3 Coupe, while the centre of gravity is also lower at less than 500mm.

Front and rear overhangs are also a respective 13 and 11mm shorter, giving BMW’s fourth-generation mid-size coupe even sportier proportions, while LED tail-lights and a trademark Hoffmeister kink blend modernity with classic BMW coupe cues.

Naturally, 50/50 front/rear weight distribution continues, while the front axle is positioned 10mm further forward for greater stability and torsional body rigidity is improved by no less than 60 per cent.

Apart from the wider wheel tracks, there are new springs, dampers and suspension kinematics, plus extra front subframe struts and electric power steering.

Adaptive M suspension is standard in the 428i and 435i, lowering the car's ride height by 10mm and including switchable and adaptive damping.

Unique new design features include a more upright ‘shark nose’ grille, plus ‘air curtains’ either side of the front bumper and ‘air breathers’ on both front quarter panels, both designed to draw air in and over the front wheels.

Along with the eight-speed auto, fuel-saving measures include EfficientDynamics technologies including on-demand ancillary systems, an automatic idle-stop system, brake energy regeneration and an EcoPRO driving mode that’s said to reduce fuel consumption by up to 25 per cent by retarding the engine, suspension and steering systems and decoupling drive during coasting at speeds between 50 and 160km/h.

BMW says the result is class-leading efficiency and engine options mirror those of the 3 Series sedan range. The 420i is powered by a 135kW270Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. It can hit 100km/h in a claimed 7.3 seconds and consumes 6.3L/100km.

The 420d comes with a 135kW/380Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, claimed 0-100km/h acceleration in the same 7.3 seconds and fuel consumption of just 4.6L/100km.

The 428i offers a 180kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, accelerating it to 100km/h in a claimed 5.8 seconds and consuming 6.4L/100km, while the 435i’s 225kW/400Nm 3.0-litre inline turbo six consumes 7.4L/100km and accelerates the car to 100km/h in 5.1 seconds.

BMW 4 Series Coupe pricing (plus ORCs):
420i -- $69,500
420d -- $71,800
428i – $80,500
435i -- $108,500

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