After a long wait, a thousand teasing spy shots, and a 4 Series Concept introduction, the real car has arrived. The F32 is the coupe version of the F30 four-dour 3 Series; it is the first to adopt the even-number designation reserved for the allegedly sportier two-doors, convertibles, and Gran Coupé models, which somehow pass muster in spite of their door count.
According to BMW’s press release, the BMW 4 Series coupe “marks the beginning of a new era at BMW, embodying the essence of dynamics and aesthetic appeal.” Um… okay. More important, the coupe will be offered as both a 428i, featuring BMW’s now-familiar N20 two-liter four-cylinder turbo, and as a 435i with the N55 three-liter turbo six.
Both will be available with a standard eight-speed sport automatic or six-speed manual transmission—no extra cost for either—and a choice of rear-wheel drive or xDrive, BMW’s all-wheel-drive system (but no stick for you in the xDriver). The 2014 428i will have a base MSRP of $41,425, and the 435i will have a starting price of $46,925. Both prices include destination and handling. The 428xi and 435xi will start from $ 43,425 and $48,925 respectively.
The 4 Series is visibly larger in width and wheelbase than the outgoing E92 3 Series coupe, and its stretched silhouette sits lower. Short overhangs, a long hood, the set-back passenger compartment, and a flowing roofline give it visual balance. The car’s striking front end, with its characteristic double-kidney grille, four round headlights, and a large air intake in the front apron, displays its 3 Series ties. New on the 4 Series, however, are what BMW calls air breathers, which are positioned rearwards of the front wheel arches to reduce drag.
The interior of the 4 Series is meant to have a sportier feel than the 3 Series. In the rear, contoured seats, recessed head restraints, and continuously molded side supports give the bench the appearance of two individual seats. Customers can choose the Sport or Luxury Lines as alternatives to standard specification—but the M Sport option is likely to find acceptance among the BMW CCA set.
the M Sport designation features an aerodynamic package including numerous body components (front apron with large air intakes, rear bumper with diffuser, side skirts) and high-gloss Shadowline trim. The exterior Estoril Blue Metallic is available only with M Sport on the 4 Series. M
Sport is further distinguished by eighteen-inch or optional nineteen-inch light-alloy wheels—435i only—in
M design (go for the nineteens!). Inside, features such as M door-sill finishers, an M leather steering wheel, and an M driver’s footrest complete the atmosphere. Okay, that's all cosmetic (well, maybe not the wheels): Technical features of this package include M Sport suspension (rear-wheel-drive models only) and M Sport brakes (also a stand-alone option on all 435i's and an optional upgrade on the 428i when M Sport is chosen), which includes calipers painted in BMW's chosen M Brake Blue.
The 4 Series has a longer wheelbase, wider track, and lower ride height than the previous-generation 3 Series coupe. Its lower suspension brings the car’s center of gravity below 20 inches, giving it the lowest center of gravity of any car in the current BMW lineup. Sophisticated chassis technology, a 50:50 weight distribution, fine-tuning in the wind tunnel, and lightweight construction contribute to the performance goal.
The head-up display option has finally trickled down to the 3 Series—uh, 4 Series—and now it’s a full-color system. Other options include a new navigation system, which offers sharper graphics and 3D elements for the map; Driving Assistant Plus, which warns of a potential collision with a pedestrian; intelligent, glare-free LED High Beam Assistant; and the latest iteration of Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go. New interface technology enables the integration of smart phones and numerous Bluetooth office functions. The latter also offers the driver the option of a dictation function with full speech recognition. Each feature has been carefully integrated to minimize the chances for driver distraction while the vehicle is in motion.
And finally, there’s a reason to tick off the BMW Apps box: Cars so equipped will be able to use BMW’s new M iPhone app, which uses the car’s data monitors to record performance data in replayable files. (We’ll tell you more in another news brief.)
Let’s refamiliarize ourselves with the N55 power plant. The 435i features a high-revving inline-six engine with instant power delivery and great fuel efficiency. Equipped with high-precision direct injection and Valvetronic fully variable valve control, the N55 develops 300 horsepower between 5,800 and 6,000 rpm. Peak torque of 300 pound-feet is generated at 1,200 rpm—and remains on tap up to 5,000 rpm. The 435i accelerates from 0-60 in just 5.3 seconds with the six-speed manual transmission, and five seconds flat with the eight-speed automatic.
The 435i may be the BMW CCA enthusiast’s car, but the four-cylinder 428i remains, in the words of a certain Roundel editor, “all the BMW most people really need.” BMW’s engine-technology package—including high-precision direct injection, twin-scroll turbocharging, double-VANOS variable camshaft control, and Valvetronic throttle-less intake technology—offers high performance with low fuel consumption. The cutting-edge four-cylinder generates 240 horsepower from 5,000 to 6,500 rpm and peak torque of 255 pound-feet of torque, which the driver can access between 1,250 and 4,800 rpm. (Remember when the E36 M3 made 240 horsepower with the S50 engine?) This allows the 428i to sprint from 0 to 60 in 5.7 seconds; like the 435i, it’s top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph, when equipped with summer performance tires.
The no-cost optional six-speed manual transmission features easy gear changes, precise shift travel and optimum gear spacing for the new 4 Series, but it’s not available for 428xi. The manual transmission allows for powerful sprints and short bursts of speed, and also helps to reduce fuel consumption. Yeah, that’s why I want it: fuel consumption!
BMW says that the high-performance eight-speed automatic transmission, with its extra gears, and quick gear changes, is perfectly matched to the character of the new 4 Series. The automatic’s intelligent control technology enables quick shift and reaction times, and direct-downshift capability—dropping from fifth, perhaps, directly to second when you brake hard for a slow corner. Drivers may also shift gears using paddles on the steering wheel; the press release seems to imply that this system is now a standard feature. Drivers can choose between Normal and Sport transmission modes using the gear shift lever or the Driving Experience Control switch.
The latest BMW navigation system, which is optional on the 4 Series, has received many enhancements. Before setting out, the prescribed route can be tailored to avoid certain areas; for example, if the user anticipates heavy traffic or knows of construction on that route, the system will recalculate the route to avoid the selected area. Multiple areas to avoid can be selected for a given route, and the size of coverage is fully adjustable.
The 2014 428i and 435i will arrive in U.S. showrooms late this summer.—Paul Duchene
