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• The new BMW 4 Series Coupé has been officially launched in South Africa.
• Three models will make up the lineup, led by the M440i xDrive.
• Two gasoline and one diesel engines will power the car.
• For more motorsports stories, visit www.Wheels24.co.za
BMW South Africa officially launched its new 4 Series Coupé in the country. The new car, based on the 3 Series that launched locally in 2019, continues the tradition of offering what the 3 Series has in a package that is sensual and beautiful. It’s no surprise, then, that the new 4 Series is quite attractive, depending, of course, on how you feel about the grill.
Right from the start, the Series 4 grille is one of the car’s biggest talking points and will divide opinion for some time. Fortunately, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and viewers can decide for themselves how they perceive it. The face of the car, as a whole, looks aggressive, but sporty, and it prevails on the road quite well. The sleek profile of a coupe runs through the entirety of the car and meets at the rear.
Here, a set of exhausts occupy each corner of the rear bumper, while the taillights are housed in a cluster that aligns it with the rest of BMW products.
The range explained
BMW SA announced that the range would consist of three models, with two gasoline and one diesel engines in service. All models are equipped with turbocharged engines and an eight-speed automatic transmission, but the top model, the M440 xDrive, is equipped with the automaker’s all-wheel drive system, as opposed to the rear-wheel configuration of the two models. following.
Introducing the range is the 420i. This model is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. Although not available to drive at launch, BMW said that this engine delivers 135kW and 300Nm. The next model, the 420d, is also powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, but a diesel. As a frugal choice in the lineup, BMW says this car boasts a fuel economy of 4.2 liters / 100 km. The engine develops 140kW and 400Nm. The healthy torque figure is available between 1750 and 2500 rpm.
The M440i xDrive is the big dog of the range, at least until the new M4 arrives. Powered by a 3.0-liter six-cylinder petrol engine, the turbocharged engine delivers 275 kW and 500 Nm, the latter across the entire rev range: 1900 – 5000 rpm. Thanks to its all-wheel drive configuration, the M440i will reach 100 km / h from a standstill in 4.5 seconds, while the top speed is 250 km / h.
Driving experience
As part of the launch unit, BMW took advantage of the 420d and the M440i xDrive. While the experience behind the wheel is markedly different from model to model, the new 4 Series Coupé offers good road grip and firm steering. Part of what BMW did to improve the 4’s road holding was to increase the rear track width by 23mm over the 3 Series, reducing the center of gravity by 21mm and lowering the car’s height by 57mm. In addition, the automaker hardened various parts of the suspension and adopted specially tuned race-dependent dampers.
The 4 Series continues to boast BMW’s famous 50:50 weight distribution on the front and rear axles. Altogether, the new 4 Series Coupé is a more balanced car that inspires confidence behind the wheel.
2021 BMW 4 Series
In summary
Since it hit the market in 2013, the 4 Series range has been sold in an access of 80,000 units globally, with 45% of sales going to the Gran Coupé, 30% to the Coupé and 25% to the Convertible. The new car, with its improved driving dynamics and vastly improved package, is sure to speak to its audience with greater authority. Until the rest of the range is introduced locally, the Coupé will fly the Series 4 flag and the initial impression is that it will do so with poise.
While the Series 4 grille will be a big topic of discussion, the rest of the car will impress with its kit set and highway driving dynamics. The car is a huge improvement over the model it replaces, and each model in the Coupé range brings something unique to the table. Of the models driven, the 420d will appease those who want a comfortable cruise that gets the most mileage on a full tank of fuel, while the M440i is a smile-inducing machine and offers ample grip when needed.
The 420i and 420d are available in the Standard and M Sport packages, while the M440i is only available in the later package. Compared to the two low-end models, the M Sport package carries a premium R45 400.
