BMW has unveiled the second-generation 4 Series Coupe six years after the last generation launched. The model puts forward a strong face, but has a long hood, sleek roof, and inoffensive back end while being powered by a fresh lineup of BMW engines.
The car will come in three trim levels: 430i, 430i xDrive, and M440i xDrive. BMW xDrive models come standard with all-wheel drive.
Exterior
Compared to the previous generation’s 33i and 430i Coupe models, the 2021 BMW 4 Series Coupe is 2.2 inches longer, 1.0 inch wider, 2.2 inches lower and with a 1.0 inch wider rear track while sharing the same wheelbase. The car is more aerodynamic compared to the 430i Coupe as well.
The looks of the car are sleeker with less folds and creases in this generation.
Photo by Fabian Kirchbauer Photography
The face of the 4 Series Coupe is the most controversial. It features a new type of kidney grille that has been compared to the teeth of a beaver. BMW says that the new design, ” provides adequate cooling for the [cars’] more powerful engines.” The grille is surrounded by a three-dimensional mesh structure.
The air intakes take their position on the edges of the front bumper while standard LED headlights illuminate the way ahead.Two U-shaped daytime running light elements in each headlight give the car its BMW headlight signature. The turn signals consist of three glass blade units in the corners of each front light assembly.
Overall, the design of the 4 Series Coupe is clean but muscular with its long hood giving off sports car vibes. It has frameless windows, which add to its sophistocation. Acoustic glass is now used in the car to keep the cabin quiet.
For as much of a talking point as the front of the car is, the back is rather dull. There are darkened L-shaped LED taillights and vertical apertures at the rear corners mimic the air vents up front. BMW’s signature trapezoidal exhaust finishers are tucked into the lower rear bumper cover.
The grille is a point of controversy amongst critics.
Photo by Fabian Kirchbauer Photography
Buyers opting for the M Sport Package get a uniquely styled front bumper with larger air intake openings and a restyled rear bumper with Shadowline inlays. The rear diffuser panel, front air intake trim, side window moldings and lower exterior mirror housings are all finished in high-gloss black.
Opting for the Shadowline Package gets buyers a high-gloss black finish to the kidney grille, exhaust tip trim and a black finish to the mirror caps.
The M440i xDrive Coupe’s exterior styling is set apart by a rear trunk spoiler and by a Cerium Grey finish to the kidney grille, front air intake trim, exterior mirror caps, and rear trapezoidal exhaust tip trim.
All 4 Series Coupes are equipped with standard 18 inch alloy wheels with all-season run-flat tires. Nineteen-inch alloy wheels with all-season run-flat tires ad 19-inch alloy wheels with performance run-flat tires are available. The M440i xDrive Coupe also offers the additional option of 19-inch alloy wheels with performance non-run-flat tires are an option.
The rear of the car is rather mundane compared to the front.
Photo by Fabian Kirchbauer Photography
Performance
Every variant of the 4 Series Coupe is more powerful than the last-generation. The base 430i and 430i xDrive Coupe get their power from a twin-turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 255 horsepower and 294 pound-feet of torque. The 430i Coupe is capable of getting from zero to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. The 430i xDrive Coupe is 0.2 seconds faster off the line. Both cars have an electronically limited top speed of 130 or 155 mph depending on the tires it wears.
The M440i xDrive Coupe is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that produces 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The car is helped off the line by a 48-volt battery that is part of the car’s mild-hybrid system. It can go from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds and has a an electronically limited top speed of 130 or 155 mph depending on its wheel and tire combination.
Both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which utilizes data from the adaptive cruise control system to downshift in order to scrub off speed, reducing wear and tear on the brakes.
The profile of the coupe is sporty, with its long hood and swept back windscreen.
Photo by Fabian Kirchbauer Photography
Performance of the M440i xDrive Coupe is enhanced by its standard rear M Sport differential, which works in conjunction with the stability control system to reduce understeer.
BMW says that the 4 Series Coupe is the more rigid than the last model. That, along with equipment upgrades, allow the model to have sharper steering and better handling than the outgoing model, as well as delivering a more comfortable drive.
The optional M Sport suspension (standard on the new BMW M440i xDrive Coupe) features firmer spring settings, stiffer bushings and mounts, firmer anti-roll bars, and a greater negative wheel camber.
Variable Sport steering, part of the optional M Sport Package and standard on the M440i xDrive, adjusts to changes in the steering angle to maximizing cornering agility and low speed comfort.
Sport brakes are also available.
The car is set up to have a driver-centric cockpit.
Photo by Fabian Kirchbauer Photography
Interior
The car features much fo the same from BMW. It has driver-centric cockpit with a start/stop button now located on the center console adjacent to the newly designed shifter.
Newly designed front power Sport seats and leather Sport steering wheel are standard. The four-seater 4 Series Coupe’s rear seating with integral head restraints is designed for two passengers and features split-folding functionality.
Infotainment
BMW’s Intelligent Personal Assistant responds to “Hey BMW” and can perform unique actions like automatically opening a window the the vehicle reaches a predetermined GPS point.
The car comes standard with an 8.8-inch infotainment touch screen and a 5.1-inch driver’s information screen. Buyers can upgrade to a 10.25-inch center touch screen and a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument display.
The interior of the car is very BMW with design that blends in with the rest of the automaker’s lineup.Photo courtesy of BMW
BMW has also made navigation, which uses new cloud-based functionality, standard on the model. The system has been updated to allow for better user flexibility with inputs and route guidance. Buyers who opt for Live Cockpit Professional get a system with enhanced 3D graphics that highlights obstacles surrounding the car.
The new 2021 BMW 4 Series Coupe offers standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Compatibility. Additional apps available include Google Assistant, Google Maps, Spotify, Amazon Music, and WhatsApp.
Safety
The list of standard safety technology on the model includes lane departure warning with steering correction; frontal collision; pedestrian warning with braking function; blind spot detection; rear cross traffic alert; rear collision preparation, automatic high beams; and speed limit information.
The Driving Assistance Professional Package which adds adaptive cruise control with stop and go and traffic jam assist, which allows for extended hands free vehicle operation, lane keeping assistant with side collision avoidance, evasion aid, front cross traffic alert, and emergency stop assistant – which can help guide your BMW to the shoulder and bring it to a halt in a medical emergency situation.
The car features a fresh light signature in the front and rear.Photo courtesy of BMW
Buyers can upgrade to the Parking Assistance Package, which delivers a panorama view and 3D surround camera views to assist with parking. It can steer the car in and out of a parking spot on command. The remote 3D view function gives drivers the ability to call up a three-dimensional live image of their parked vehicle and its immediate vicinity on their smartphone. Additionally, the package allows the driver to use the car’s cameras to record video footage from the front and rear of the vehicle then display them later.
Pricing and on-sale
MSRP pricing is $45,600 for the 430i Coupe, $47,600 for the 430i xDrive Coupe and $58,500 for the M440i xDrive Coupe. Pricing does not include the $995 destination fee. The model goes on sale later this year.
