A couple of months ago we featured the premium class BMW 4 Series two-door Coupé; now the range has been extended with the announcement of a four-door coupé-style model and an all-electric variant designed as the i4.
The latest iterations of the all-electric BMW i4 and the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé are set to further cement their distinctive presence in the market with new design enhancements and the introduction of the latest digital capabilities. With typically BMW driving dynamics, both the i4 and combustion-engine variants of the 4 Series Gran Coupé benefit from refined and refreshed exterior aesthetics including newly designed headlights and optional ‘Laserlight’ tail lights which enhance their striking presence on the road. Newly introduced light-alloy wheel designs offer more choice and opportunity for individualisation.
On The Outside
The BMW i4 and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé feature a refreshed design that brings additional visual impact to the brand’s signature features; although still recognisably BMW cars. The surround of the BMW kidney grille is now finished in matt chrome. Due to the low cooling requirement of the electric drive system, the BMW kidney grille of the new BMW i4 has a fully enclosed upper section, which sits below a Black high-gloss surface topped by a matt-silver honeycomb pattern. The air intakes on the combustion-engine versions of the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé have a mesh structure with surfaces now painted in matt Quartz Silver.
As well as a front apron with large side air intakes, both the i4 and the Gran Coupé models in M Sport specification also include a diffuser element in the lower section of the rear bumper, which is now painted in high-gloss Black. In addition, the exhaust tailpipes integrated into the rear apron on the left and right of the combustion-engine models have grown in diameter. Like the BMW kidney grille surround, if the optional M high-gloss ‘Shadowline’ is specified, the pipes are finished in Black high-gloss. Customers can also choose to order their cars with the M Sport Pro pack and M Carbon exterior pack.
On The Inside
The modifications to the interior of the new BMW i4 and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé are focused on digitalisation and achieving a sharper, more sporting profile. The upgraded BMW ‘iDrive’ with ‘QuickSelect’ enables a further reduction in the number of buttons and controls in the cockpit. The functions of the automatic climate control system and if fitted the seat and steering wheel heating can now be operated by touch via the BMW Curved Display or by voice command with the help of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.
New adjustment controls for the air vent grilles in the centre of the instrument panel and on the driver’s and front passenger side of the cockpit allow the airflow direction to be adjusted using rotating and tilting movements.
M Sport and M Performance models see the black seat surfaces fitted in a new material called ‘M Performtex’. This innovative covering combines high material quality and a sporty design with low weight and a sustainability-optimised production approach. Sports derivatives of the variants are fitted as standard with sport seats in ‘Sensatec’ perforated material. These artificial material names don’t exactly roll off the tongue do they, unlike the ‘Vernasca’ real leather trim which has decorative quilting and is available as an option. BMW Individual Merino leather trim in three colours can also be specified as an option.
The new BMW i4 and 4 Series Gran Coupé come as standard with a two-spoke steering wheel with polygonal rim and illuminated multifunction buttons in Sport trim. M Sport models now include an M leather steering wheel in three-spoke design with a flat-bottomed rim and a discreet top-dead-centre marking in the 12 o’clock position. All steering wheel variants available for the combustion-engine BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé models are now equipped with gear-shift paddles as standard. The two paddles enable super-swift manual interventions in the gear selection process of the otherwise automatic eight-speed ‘Steptronic’ Sport transmission.
On The Road
These two prestige BMW cars are available in a wide spread of variants powered by the latest BMW ‘eDrive’ technology or by petrol engines. The new cars channel their power to the road via classical BMW rear-wheel drive or the intelligent BMW ‘xDrive’ all-wheel-drive system.
The highly efficient petrol engines available for the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, which feature BMW ‘TwinPower’ Turbo technology on the six-cylinder engine with electrification in the form of 48V mild hybrid technology, deliver an exceptional blend of sporting driving pleasure and fuel economy. Customers can choose from the six-cylinder in-line engine with a peak output of 374bhp (379PS) in the M440i xDrive M Performance model or the BMW 420i Gran Coupé.
The auxiliary electric drive on the six-cylinder petrol derivative takes the form of a 48V starter generator and makes output of 11 bhp instantly available in response to the slightest movement of the accelerator. This electric boost enhances the drive system’s dynamic response when accelerating off the line and putting in mid-range bursts of speed. The electric drive unit also assists the engine when travelling at a constant speed, allowing it to operate within an efficiency-optimised load range as often as possible.
Agility, dynamism and impressive long-distance comfort have been and are the defining driving qualities of BMW vehicles and it is no different with these new models. Outstanding straight-line stability, precisely controllable response to sudden movements of the accelerator and steering wheel, as well as composed handling up to the limit, even under high lateral forces, all help to produce the type of driving experience for which BMW is renowned. The extremely rigid body and chassis mountings, intelligent lightweight design, low centre of gravity, almost perfect 50:50 weight distribution and optimised aerodynamic properties provide all the necessary ingredients for a well-rounded vehicle character.
That’s the thing about cars from this German brand: They have character. Choose your new car from these new vehicles or from the current range of BMW models by getting in touch with us here at MHH International. Find out about availability and how we can export your next car from the UK to far-flung destinations around the globe, including Kenya, Ireland, New Zealand and the Caribbean and it’s all VAT-free.
