Cheaper, more powerful, less thirsty, and with different names.
BMW Australia has introduced a newer version of the 4 Series in all body styles: Coupe, Gran Coupe, and Convertible. They’ve got some improvements under the bonnet, reductions in price and even some shuffling in terms of model designations.
At the entry-level, the 4 Series starts with the familiar 420i and 420d, but where previously the next step up would be the 428i and the 435i, BMW has introduced a new but more logical naming scheme that have resulted in them now being called the 430i and 440i, respectively.
420i and 420d
The base 420i Coupe and Gran Coupe variants are now $2,200 cheaper than before, starting at $68,900 while the Convertible benefits from a $2,500 price reduction to $85,900. Additionally, all 420i spec 4 Series cars now have Adaptive M Suspension, Heads-up display, Lane Change Warning, and Surround View (first seen on the current 7 Series) as standard.
The 135kW/270Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol has been revised to offer better fuel efficiency that BMW claims can dip to as low as 5.8-litres/100km. However, those looking for even longer range can opt for the 420d, whose 2.0-litre turbodiesel has also been given an efficiency boost to yield a claimed 4.3-litres/100km.
430i and 440i
Previously known as the 428i, the 430i is now sporting a reduced price tag by $2,500 but also BMW have extracted a further 5kW of power from the 2.0-litre TwinPower turbocharged four-cylinder to produce 185kW and 350Nm while fuel consumption has dipped to a claimed maximum 5.8-litres/100km depending on body style.
A set of 19-inch wheels set the mid-tier 4 Series apart from the 420, and while the M Sport Package is offered on the 420d/420i as an option, it comes standard on the new 430i. Extra luxury can be had too with the BMW Individual Leather Dashboard, available as a no-cost option.
The 440i sits at the top of the standard 4 Series range, succeeding the 435i’s nameplate. Starting at $99,000, the top range 4 is a whole $10,000 less expensive than the car it replaces.
Just like the previous models, the 3.0-litre TwinPower turbocharged straight-six engine also gains some efficiency plusses with consumption reduced to a claimed 6.8-litres/100km. Still, BMW has also managed to eek out more oomph (15kW, 50Nm) from the powerplant, raising the output to 240kW and 450Nm, allowing the 440i Coupe to sprint to 100km/h from standstill in 5.0 seconds, a 0.1 second improvement.
For more on BMW vehicles, including prices and specifications, check out our Showroom.
