Just weeks after Mercedes-Benz released its all-new C-Class Coupe range priced from $65,900 and with an all-new Audi A5 Coupe coming, BMW Australia has ushered in an upgraded 4 Series Coupe, Gran Coupe and Convertible range with price cuts of up to $10,100.
Available from late May priced from $68,900 plus on-road costs -- $2200 less than before – the revised 4 Series line-up also brings upgraded petrol engines and more standard equipment.
The two-door 4 Series Coupe and four-door Gran Coupe remain identically priced, with the entry-level 420i petrol and 420d diesel coupes both now $2200 cheaper than before (the latter from $71,200).
Meanwhile, the newly named 430i coupes are $2500 cheaper than the 428i models they replace, at $79,900 plus ORCs, and the range-topping six-cylinder 440i coupes – which replace the 435i – are a huge $10,000 more affordable than the models they replaces, at $99,900 plus ORCs.
It's a similar story for the 4 Series Convertible. At $85,900 plus ORCs, the base 420i Convertible is also $2500 cheaper than before, as is the 420d Convertible ($88,200) and the rebadged 430i Convertible ($96,900), while the newly named 440i Convertible is now $117,900 -- a $10,100 reduction.
The 420i and 420d shares the same improved specification level, which now includes Adaptive M Suspension, Head-Up Display, Exterior Mirrors with Fold-in Function, Lane Change Warning, Driving Assistant and Surround View with Top and Side Views as standard.
This is in addition to carryover features including 18-inch alloy wheels, eight-speed sports automatic transmission, reversing camera, electric Dakota sports leather seats with memory function, bi-xenon headlights, front/rear Park Distance Control, Navigation System Professional with RTTI, BMW ConnectedDrive Emergency call and TeleServices, BMW ConnectedDrive Lifestyle package, Extended smartphone connectivity and DAB+ digital radio.
Sport or Luxury lines are available for the 420i at no additional cost, while the M Sport Package is optional.
Under the bonnet, the 135kW/270Nm TwinPower 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine is now more efficient at 5.8L/100km for both the Coupe and Gran Coupe (down from 6.1 and 6.3L/10km respectively) and 6.2L/100km for the Convertible (down from 6.4L/100km).
Producing 140kW/400Nm from its 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, 420d variants now consume 4.3L/100km (Coupe and Gran Coupe) and 4.7L/100km (Convertible).
The 430i models, meantime, are now 5kW more powerful, with the old 428's 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four now delivering 185kW/350Nm. Despite this, fuel consumption reduces to 5.8L/100km (down 0.6L/100km) in the coupes and 6.3L/100km (down 0.4L/100km) in the 430i Convertible.
Standard specifications now include the M Sport Package as standard, while the Luxury line, which includes the BMW Individual Leather Dashboard, remains available as a no-cost option.
In addition to the 420i, the 430i also 19-inch alloy wheels, Comfort Access, electric lumbar support to driver and passenger seats, nine-speaker HiFi sound and the M Sport Package as a no-cost option.
Finally, 440i models deliver an extra 15kW (now 240kW) and 50Nm (now 450Nm) from an upgraded version of the 435's turbo-petrol 3.0-litre six. That makes the 440i Coupe one-tenth quicker to 100km/h, at five seconds flat.
Despite this, fuel consumption is reduced to 6.8L/100km (down 0.6L/100km) for the 440i Coupe and Gran Coupe, which now qualify for a reduced rate of Luxury Car Tax, and to 7.2L/100km (down 0.5L/100km) for the 440i Convertible. T
The BMW 440i also gains the following in addition to the 430i: Variable sport steering, Harman/Kardon surround sound system with 16 speakers, BMW Individual leather instrument panel (with M Sport Package), heated front seats
Parking Assistant, Active Cruise Control, Adaptive LED Headlights, Concierge Services, Internet and Air collar (440i Convertible).
2016 BMW 4 Series pricing (plus ORCs):
420i Coupe -- $68,900
420d Coupe -- $71,200
428i Coupe -- $79,900
440i Coupe -- $99,900
420i Convertible -- $85,900
420d Convertible -- $88,200
430i Convertible -- $96,900
440i Convertible -- $117,900