Premier Magazine (South AFrica)
Fantastic Four
Over the last two months we got to drive select derivatives in the BMW 4 Series, including the two-door 420d Coupé, four-door 430i Gran Coupé, and the show-stopping 440i Convertible. Since its introduction in 2013 the BMW 4-Series has turned heads and attracted buyers to the tune of more than 400,000 units sold globally. Now the refreshed 4 Series features some significant enhancements and an allnew selection of engines, ranging from the iconic straight-six twin turbo featured in the 440i to a four-cylinder turbo in the 430i and 420i, to a four-cylinder turbo-diesel in the 420d. Gear changes come complements of a smooth and intuitive six-speed manual gearbox, or the superlative eight-speed Steptronic transmission.
Already one of the most striking cars on the road, the 4 Series now gains two exclusive colours, Snapper Rocks Blue and Sunset Orange, to set it self apart even more. Restyled LEDS in the front, along with LED fog lamps are complemented with similar LED treatment in the rear, all of which bookends the sweeping lines and low slung, purposeful stance. Interior is deceptively spacious for a coupé, with discreet chrome applications contrasted with high-gloss black on the centre console that add a sense of understated luxury. The upgraded sports steering wheel is a technological marvel that makes up somewhat for the lack of touchscreen technology on the centre screen.
Handling and power delivery, especially in the 440i, as we have come to expect from BMW, scream pure driving pleasure. The 4 Series offers a complete package that combines drop-dead gorgeous looks with athletic performance from the automaker that has come to represent the very pinnacle of performance motoring.
Pricing starts at R639,300 to R1,576,062 excluding optional extras.