Love it or hate it, it’s here to stay
BMW 4 SERIES: HARKS BACK TO 328 FROM THE 1930s
The most fun coupe in the range is the 3.0-litre 275kW/500Nm M440i.
They say the latest BMW styling direction harks back to an era of legendary models, such as the 328 of the 1930s. The 328 was not only one of the most visually appealing sports cars of the pre-war period, in the 1930s it was also the most successful racing machines in Europe.
Fast-forward some 80-plus years and the world has moved forward once again, ready or not.
The controversially styled grille has sparked many debates and will continue to do so.
Whether you like it or not, what you see here is the all-new BMW 4 Series coupe.
After getting to meet the most talked-about BMW for a long time in Cape Town, we were given a brief drive in two of the three models currently available in SA.
The 2.0-litre 135kW/300Nm 420i was not on the test drive list, but the other petrol in the range, the 3.0-litre 275kW/500Nm M Performance M440i, was.
Running an eight-speed sports auto and BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive for added grip, it sits 21-mm closer to the ground and has a 23-mm wider track at the rear, along with that sought-after 50:50 weight distribution.
It also has M Sport brakes, M Sport rear locking diff and a firmer adaptive M Sport suspension that makes its presence always known.
This is the most fun model in the range.
The most sensible model is the 2.0-litre oil-burning 140kW/400Nm 420d.
It will give you all the show you desire and offers more than enough urge for daily use, while putting a smile on your face at the fuel pumps.
The interior is driver-focused with a new leather sports steering wheel and sports seats connecting the driver to the car.
Space in the rear of the twodoor coupe will never be top of your wish list.
The new 4 Series coupe has moved on a step or two in terms of driver assistance systems and autonomous driving.
You now get the likes of front collision warning with brake input, lane departure warning with lane return by means of steering assistance, park distance control with front and rear, cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system, and smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, all as standard.
BMW Operating System 7 enables individual and personalised screens on the control display and instrument cluster, plus use of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant allows optimised interaction between man and machine.
The new BMW 4 Series coupe is a premium-priced, tech-laden, “in your face” selfish lifestyle-type of purchase, that will make owners very happy with their decision because they won't care what you or I think about the styling.