[UPDATE: South Africa will receive the 420i, 420d and M440i xDrive at launch in the final quarter of 2020]
After a handful of images leaked early, the new BMW 4 Series coupé has now been officially revealed, sporting a grille Domagoj Dukec, the firm’s head of design, describes as “daring”.
The fresh-faced coupé will launch in initial markets from October 2020 and be built at Dingolfing. At launch (depending on the market, of course), the second-generation 4 Series range will comprise five variants, including an M Performance model.
The new BMW M440i xDrive employs a turbocharged 3,0-litre straight-six offering 275 kW and 500 N.m to all four wheels (plus an additional 8 kW for short bursts courtesy of a 48 V mild-hybrid system). That’s enough, says the Munich-based firm, for a sprint from zero to 100 km/h in 4,5 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h.
The line-up will also include two four-cylinder petrol engines and a four-cylinder diesel unit, with a pair of six-cylinder inline diesel engines set join the range from March 2021. All variants will ship standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
The 420i uses a turbocharged 2,0-litre four-cylinder petrol mill sending 135 kW and 300 N.m to the rear wheels, while the 430i ups those figures to 190 kW and 400 N.m.
And the diesel options? Well, the 420d features a four-cylinder turbodiesel unut with 48 V mild-hybrid technology, generating 140 kW and 400 N.m. This derivative will also be offered in xDrive guise, with identical outputs. The 430d xDrive, meanwhile, combines an oil-burning 3,0-litre straight-six with a 48 V mild-hybrid system, delivering 210 kW and 650 N.m.
BMW says the G22-generation 4 Series boasts a centre of gravity some 21 mm lower than that of the related 3 Series sedan, while its rear-axle track is 23 mm wider. Measuring 4 768 mm nose to tail, the new 4 Series is 128 mm longer than the original, and 27 mm wider, too. Its wheelbase, meanwhile, has grown 41 mm to 2 851 mm. BMW claims a luggage capacity of 440 litres, an increase of around 30 litres.
While the new 4 Series is fitted with “lift-related” dampers featuring bespoke tuning fitted as standard, a firmer M Sport suspension (as well as adaptive M suspension) set-up will be offered. M Sport brakes (with a choice of blue or red callipers) will also find their way onto the list of extras.
Inside, BMW’s latest coupé borrows bits from the 3 Series, including a 10,25-inch display and a fully digital 12,3-inch instrument cluster. There are also newly developed sports seats.
