BMW South Africa has added the new 4 Series Convertible to its online configurator, revealing local pricing in the process.
Interestingly, the local range looks set to comprise just two derivatives at launch, with the 420i Convertible priced from R957 466 (a R161 028 premium over the coupé equivalent) and the M440i xDrive Convertible starting at R1 392 634 (some R150 580 more than the M Performance coupé version).
The 420i Convertible employs a turbocharged 2,0-litre, four-cylinder petrol unit offering 135 kW and 300 N.m to the rear axle via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Munich-based firm says that’s enough for an 8,2-second sprint to 100 km/h. For the record, specifying the M Sport package pushes the price to R1 014 166.
The M440i xDrive Convertible, meanwhile, makes use of BMW’s turbocharged 3,0-litre inline-six petrol mill, which delivers 275 kW and 500 N.m to all four wheels via the same gearbox as above. For this M Performance variant, the automaker claims a 0-100 km/h time of 4,9 seconds.
Of course, various options are available, such as the R83 600 M Carbon exterior package, an array of larger alloy wheels, an anthracite silver finish for the softtop (costing R11 000 to upgrade from the standard black item), BMW Laserlights (R16 500), adaptive M suspension (R16 900 on the 420i and R10 900 on the M440i) and a head-up display (R18 700).
Revealed in September 2020, the new 4 Series Convertible ditches the previous-generation model’s folding hardtop arrangement in favour of a fabric roof. Described by the Munich-based firm as a “panel bow softtop”, BMW says the new roof construction combines the “strengths of a retractable hardtop and the puristic appeal of a fabric roof”.
The roof is powered by an electric motor that enables it to open or close in 18 seconds, including at speeds up to 50 km/h. The softtop compartment, meanwhile, allows luggage capacity to be increased from a claimed 300 to 385 litres when the roof is closed.
Measuring 4 768 mm from nose to tail, the new topless four-seater model is some 128 mm longer than its predecessor, while width has increased by 27 mm to 1 852 mm. The wheelbase is up 41 mm to 2 851 mm, while the track widths have been increased 28 mm at the front and 18 mm at the rear.
Engines that South Africa looks set to miss out on (at launch, at least) include the 190 kW/400 N.m 430i, the 140 kW/400 N.m 420d, the 210 kW/650 N.m 430d and the 250 kW/700 N.m M440d xDrive.
