BMW sharpens up 4 Series

Less than a year after BMW Australia released an upgraded 4 Series Coupe, Gran Coupe and Convertible range (in May 2016) with new engines, more equipment and lower prices, the Bavarian car-maker has now revealed a midlife makeover for its mid-size sports car family.

Due on sale in Australia in July, the 4 Series facelift applies to the four-door Gran Coupe and the two-door Convertible and Coupe – including the top-shelf M4.

All 4 Series models will now come with restyled bi-LED headlights (with the option of adaptive LEDs) instead of the xenon units on current models, plus LED fog lights, LED tail-lights, modified air-intakes and a revised front apron for Sport and Luxury lines.

The adaptive full-LED headlights will be standard on the upgraded M4 Coupe and Convertible, which are also blessed with redesigned full-LED rear lights again freshen up appearances and inject technical appeal.

Inside, there is new electroplated detailing, a high-gloss black centre console, a double-stitched instrument panel, three new upholstery colours, three new interior trim strips and an upgraded sport steering wheel.

The optional Professional navigation system has been upgraded via  new interface with large tile-style control pad that BMW says are easier to use, can be arranged as desired and display a constantly updated version of the linked menu content, making operation even more intuitive for users.

Another new option across the 4 Series line-up is Multifunctional Instrument Display, which gives drivers the choice of different visual options for all displays depending on the driving experience mode selected.

Once again, M4 models score a few extra interior upgrades, including the updated Professional nav system and other ConnectedDrive features.

All this is wrapped in two new exterior paint colours exclusive to the 4 Series – Sunset Orange and Snapper Rocks Blue, named after the famous Gold Coast surf break.

There are also new wheel designs specific to each 4 Series model grade – Advantage, Sport Line, Luxury Line and M Sport – but mechanical changes are limited to "a stiffer suspension set-up delivering even sportier handling without any loss of ride comfort".

Fitted only to the 4 Series Coupe and Gran Coupe, the firmer suspension applies to both the standard, M Sport and Adaptive tunes, which BMW says improves both the lateral and longitudinal dynamics regardless of load on board.

All 2017 4 Series models are claimed to offer improved straight-line stability and more communicative steering, and high-performance tyres will be available as a factory-fitted option for all models from the 430d and 430i upwards.

Engine options including the three petrol mills in the 420i, 430i and 440i and the three diesel powerplants in the 420d, 430d and 435d xDrive remain unchanged.

BMW has sold almost 400,000 4 Series models globally since 2013, when the coupe was released. It was followed a year later by the 4 Series Convertible, which was also previously called a 3 Series, while the all-new 4 Series Gran Coupe sedan also hit showrooms in 2014.

Stand by for full Australian pricing and specifications ahead of the revised 4 Series family's local release within six months.