M Performance for BMW 4 Series

BMW has confirmed its M Performance kit for the new 4 Series coupe, launched this week in Australia, will be available here next year.

Due to be officially released locally around March next year, the M Performance Power Kit for the new 435i coupe will cost around $2000 and lifts the car’s performance outputs by 25kW and 50Nm -- from 225kW/400Nm to 250Nm/450Nm.

The same Power Kit already available for the 320d and 520d four-cylinder diesel models is also expected to be available (but is not yet confirmed), increasing the 420d diesel coupe’s power output from 135kW to 147kW and its torque peak from 380Nm to 420Nm. A 20kW/40Nm Power Kit is also available overseas for the six-cylinder 430d, which won’t be sold here.

While the software-based Power Kits -- which in the 435i’s case brings revised mapping for the engine’s twin-scroll turbocharger, direct fuel-injection and variable valve timing and lift system -- are the headline acts of the M Performance Automobiles upgrades, they won’t be the only retro-fit go-faster parts available for the 4 Series.

Also due for local release around March will be a host of mechanical and cosmetic M Performance parts for the 4 Series, probably including a mechanical limited-slip differential, sportier suspension tune, bigger brakes, 20-inch wheels and a body kit comprising a carbon-fibre front splitter and small boot lip spoiler, while a higher-performance exhaust system should also be offered for both the 435i and 428i.

An M Power Kit will not be offered for the latter, given the turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol-engined 428i already delivers 180kW and 350Nm and is only 0.7 seconds slower to 100km/h and just 0.3 seconds slower from 80-120km/h than the heavier 435i, which produces 45kW/50Nm more but costs an extra $28,000.

BMW has not released acceleration figured for its Power Kitted 4 Series models, but says they will offer better performance at all engine speeds and a higher top speed, despite unchanged maximum engine speeds.

Officially, it also claims the 435i’s combined fuel consumption figure remains unchanged at 7.2L/100km, but insiders admit real-world fuel economy will be higher – a key reason for the Power Kit to be offered only as a retro-fit factory accessory.

BMW launched the new 4 Series coupe in Australia this week. The line-up comprises the entry-level 420i, which opens the range at $69,500 plus on-road costs and is powered by a 135kW/270Nm turbocharged four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol engine that consumes 6.3L/100km and accelerates it to 7.3 seconds.

The mid-range 420d costs $71,800 plus ORCs and is powered by a 135kW/380Nm 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine that consumes just 4.6L/100km and can accelerate the oil-burning coupe to 100km/h in the same 7.3 seconds, while the 428i costs $80,500 plus ORCs and packs a turbocharged 180kW/350Nm 2.0-litre petrol four that consumes 6.4L/100km and offers 0-100km/h in 5.8 seconds.

The top-shelf 435i – until the all-new turbo-six M4 super-coupe arrives next year – costs $108,500 plus ORCs and is powered by BMW’s twin-scroll turbo 3.0-litre inline six, delivering 225kW/400Nm, consuming 7.4L/100km and accelerating to 100km/h in 5.1 seconds.

All models come standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission (a six-speed manual will by special-order only), while both the 428i and 435i come standard with an M Sport kit comprising 19-inch alloys and M adaptive suspension.