BMW 4 Series due in October with lower price of entry

BMW’s controversial 4 Series Coupe is coming to Australia in October starting from $70,900 (driveaway pricing TBA) for the entry-level 420i.

Other models coming at launch will be the mid-spec 430i starting at $88,900 (driveaway pricing TBA), and range-topping $116,900 (driveaway pricing TBA) M440i xDrive.

When it does arrive in October, the new 4 Series will face fierce competition from its usual foes like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe, Audi A5 Coupe and Sportback and Lexus RC.

BMW’s styling direction means that the new 4 Series will probably be the most distinctive of the lot on the road, with those long ‘beaver teeth’ harking back to the 328. The proportions are certainly classic; lower, longer by 130mm and 28mm broader at the front and 18mm at the rear.

To our eyes to design doesn’t flow like the old 4 Series or 3 Series coupes, though. The design language appears a little confused from to side front to back, we’ll wait until we see one in the flesh to comment fully.

Where the exterior styling is up for debate, the interior is not. The new 4 Series is what you expect to see; there’s the thick M Sport leather steering wheel, centrally mounted tablet screen for the iDrive and easy-to-access control station on the centre console.

It’s interesting to note that, despite being an all-new car, BMW has dropped the price of entry to the 4 Series Coupe. The F32 420i was finished in luxury line exterior trim – where M Sport is now standard – and commanded an extra $1,400 even at the end of its life.

Powering the new 420i is the same B48 two-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine which produces the same 135kW, but now 30Nm more at 300Nm. It’s also equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights outside.

Inside, there are electrically-adjustable sports seats upholstered in a mix of Alcantara and man-made leather. There’s also a head-up display, digital driver’s display, wireless smartphone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality. It sounds like the new vehicle represents outstanding value.

The 430i packs more punch with 190kW and 400Nm coming from its two-litre turbocharged engine. Those outputs are up 5kW and 50Nm from before, it’s also the most potent rear-wheel-drive 4 Series Coupe coming to Australia.

Strangely, the price is up by $6,500 for the 430i where the 420i dropped. Additional standard equipment includes Vernasca leather-appointed seats, adaptive M Sport suspension, M Sport brakes, adaptive cruise, lane-keep assist and 360-degree camera system.

Topping out the 4 Series range is the sole six-cylinder for Australia, the M440i xDrive. Powered by the brand’s three-litre turbocharged B58 engine, outputs climb by 45kW and 50Nm compared to its predecessor. Serious extra motivation, which means BMW saw fit to hook an xDrive all-wheel-drive system up to the ZF eight-speed auto.

Still, that means 0-100km/h should be dispatched in 4.5 seconds, or faster than Audi’s S5. For the $116,900 (driveaway pricing TBA) asking price, BMW also throws in different 19-inch alloys, a sunroof, ambient lights, limited-slip differential on the rear axle, laser headlights, power tailgate and a harman kardon stereo.

For now, the M440i xDrive will be the quickest 4 Series, but the all-new M3 and M4 due to be revealed in September will eclipse these numbers.

Naturally, BMW offers a selection of options packages for the new 4 Series. The M carbon exterior package adds carbon mirror caps and splitters and is available on all models.

The 420i and 430i will be available with a visibility package that throws in a sunroof, ambient lighting and laser headlights. There’s also the comfort pack offered that adds seat heating, digital key functionality and a power tailgate.

For keener drivers, BMW’s M Sport plus package adds a boot-lip spoiler and M seatbelts. 430i models also get a limited-slip differential, while the 420i gets the uprated M Sport brakes.

Of course, a raft of customisation will be possible – from paint colours to interior trims to wheel design. Exact pricing details on packages and extras will be confirmed closer to the all0new 4 Series’ arrival in October this year.