All-new BMW 4-Series is on the horizon, here’s what’s in store.
Mild hybrid technology, the latest weight-saving chassis technology and the first BMW to be available with the specialised M Sport Pro Package, form part of the offering in the all-new BMW 4 Series Coupé that is set to raise the standard in the premium midsize segment.
The new BMW 4 Series Coupé delivers both stunning performance and supreme handling capabilities, but gets a sleek and distinctive new exterior design, high quality interior, upgraded driver assistance technologies and even greater efficiencies from the introduction of the mild hybrid technology.
The new BMW 4 Series Coupé will be built at BMW Plant Dingolfing, with its worldwide launch commencing in October 2020 (NZ date TBC).
Distinctive exterior design
At 4,768 millimetres, the new car is 128mm longer than its predecessor and 27mm wider (now 1,852mm), and its wheelbase has grown by 41mm to 2,851mm. Only 6mm has been added to the vehicle height, which is now 1,383mm. Increased track widths (+ 28mm at the front and + 18mm at the rear), short overhangs, slender pillars, long doors with frameless windows and a flowing roofline combine to deliver a sleek look.
A defining element of the striking front end is the BMW trademark kidney grille and, with its upright elements connected in the centre, it reprises a design feature from the company’s past but adds a modern twist. It is framed by surfaces with a three-dimensional structure and, like the contours of the headlights, the bonnet’s arrow-shaped lines zero in on the grille. At the outer edges of the front apron, the vertically designed intakes for the Air Curtains accentuate the width of the car.
Four-seat interior with driver-focused cockpit design and modern premium ambience
Cleanly designed surfaces, high-quality materials and the driver-focused layout of the cockpit define the premium and performance feel of the interior. The structure of the instrument panel is based around horizontal lines, with its width further emphasised by the contours and electroplated strips extending into the door areas. The outer edges of the high-set centre console have knee pads to cater for a sporty driving style.
Engines: Instantaneous power delivery, effortless performance
The powertrain technology developed for the new BMW 4 Series Coupé is another area where significant advances have been made over the outgoing model. All the petrol and diesel engines belong to the Efficient Dynamics family and feature BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The introduction of mild hybrid technology with a 48V starter-generator ensures even sharper power delivery combined with reduced fuel consumption and emissions.
The range will be spearheaded by a new BMW M440i xDrive Coupé model, which features a powerful six-cylinder in- line petrol engine. The new BMW 4 Series Coupé will also be available with a choice of two four-cylinder petrol units and a four-cylinder diesel from launch. The line-up is set to expand further with the arrival of two straight-six diesel engines scheduled for March 2021.
Lightweight design minimises weight and maximises rigidity and passive safety
The weight-minimising design of the BMW 4 Series Coupé’s body and chassis components feature an intelligent mix of steels and alloys to minimise vehicle weight and deliver enhanced body rigidity and crash safety.
Underneath, the car uses an engine side member (made from extruded aluminium profiles) and die-cast aluminium spring struts, while the exterior features an aluminium bonnet, front side panels and doors. A material made from natural fibres is used for the bootlid lining.
Intelligent driver assistance systems optimise comfort and safety
The standard and optional driver assistance systems in the new BMW 4 Series Coupé have undergone a major upgrade over the outgoing model. They process camera images and the data gathered by ultrasonic and radar sensors to monitor the vehicle’s surroundings to warn of potential hazards and to minimise the risk of an accident with corrective braking or steering inputs. Intelligent system control enables them to enhance both comfort and safety, paving the way for automated driving in the new BMW 4 Series Coupé as well.
This is a car we’re looking forward to getting hold of.
