By: Denis Droppa
BMW is playing the numbers game with its new-generation 4 Series which goes on sale in South Africa this week.
In its past life the car was called the 3 Series coupé, but this slinky two-door now joins the rest of BMW’s coupé line-up by having an even-numbered prefix, leaving the odd numbers for Beemer’s four-door sedans.
The new 4 Series, though based on the 3 Series sedan, is sufficiently different to justify its own moniker. It’s an entirely more athletic-looking car with its sloping roofline and hunkered-down stance. Compared to the old 3 Series coupé the new 4 Series is longer and wider with a lower roof, lighter by up to 25kg but 60 percent more torsionally rigid, and it also now becomes the BMW with the lowest centre of gravity.
This much was evident as the car threaded itself with fleet-footed precision through mountain passes when I took the wheel at the media launch in the Western Cape last week. As much as the 3 Series delivers that famed sheer driving pleasure, the coupé is just that little bit more in touch with its sporty side, and it’s just as good at clinging to curves as showing them off.
SURPRISINGLY PRACTICAL
Apart from having just two passenger doors the 4 Series isn’t entirely impractical, and has a family-sized 445-litre boot along with more than acceptable rear legroom.
Two versions go on sale right away, the 428i and 435i, with an entry-level 420i six-speed to follow early next year. A diesel is also being considered, but in the numbers game these models are essentially foreplay for the car that hardcore adrenaline-chasers are really waiting for, the new M4.
This super-coupé will arrive in SA sometime next year to take on the RS4s and C63 AMGs of this world, and will be shunted along by a steroid-boosted version of the 3-litre straight-six turbo powering the 435i.
For buyers whose budgets won’t quite stretch into M4 territory, the 435i, with a starting pricetag of R691 527 makes a very swift and surefooted sports coupé with its 225kW and 400Nm outputs. Its 5.1 second 0-100km/h figure will outrun most cars short of a C63 and when you drive it in Sports mode (there are also Eco and Comfort modes) it has that beautifully weighted steering of BMW renown. The only thing it lacks is a vociferous voice, and the turbocharged six sounds a little Justin Bieberish.
FOUR-POT GEM
Surprisingly it’s the 2-litre four-cylinder turbo 428i that delivers the raunchier holler. This is matched to very willing acceleration, and if anyone still laments the old normally-aspirated six-cylinder 2.8 making way for a four-pot motor, don’t. This engine, which brings 180kW and 350Nm to the party, is a gem both in performance (0-100km/h in a claimed 5.8 secs) and acoustic character.
Both the 428i and 435i are governed to 250km/h top speeds and get there with little effort. But it’s the handling and exceptional torsional stiffness that really stand out in Beemer’s two-door, and it’s a chassis that just begs to be paired with the more powerful M motor.
The pricetag’s R520 988 for the standard 428i 6-speed manual version and R538 270 for the 8-speed Steptronic auto. The 435i’s available in 8-speed auto only.
Expect to dig much deeper into your wallet for the Sport, Luxury and MSport lines, and also if you start ticking boxes in the vast options list.
Standard spec on all 4 Series derivatives includes a fuel-saving start-stop function, automatic wipers and headlights, leather seats, automatic aircon, audio system, keyless start, ABS brakes, Xenon lights, cruise control, stability control, and a plethora of airbags.
The 435i in addition has items like navigation, electric front seats and M Sport suspension on its standard menu, but you’ll have to pay extra for high-technology like head-up display, adaptive suspension, lane-change warning, full LED headlights and high-beam assist.
PRICES
420i - R450 462*
420i AT - R467 949*
428i - R520 988
428i AT - R538 270
435i AT - R691 527
*Available in early 2014