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Great ingredients can often lead to delicious results. The correct combination of desirable attributes have produced such glories as the banana daiquiri, beautiful three piece suits and cake. When it comes to cars we all have our preferences, but those of an enthusiast’s persuasion adore keen handling, ample power and handsome looks. Having the roof down on a sunny day is the cherry on top. BMW claim to have produced an intoxicating elixir of all one could ask for in the form of the BMW 435i M Sport Convertible. The question is, have BMW created pancakes and maple syrup or a slightly repulsive mixture of grapes and ketchup.
If the cars design is anything to go buy, then the forecast is good. Its low and wide stance is purposeful and commanding. Angled headlights and snarling kidney grills make this a lean mean machine that is also detailed buy muscular lines to reinforce its sporting nature. With the metal folding roof stowed it is a stunner! With it in place, however, the profile is slight compromised. Don’t get me wrong, in hard-top configuration this car is far from ugly, but the BMW 435i M Sport Convertible looks at its best on a sunny day.
The cabin is your typical BMW blend of German understated luxury. A prominent three spoke M Sport steering wheel takes pride of place at the driver’s chest. The large widescreen display houses infotainment with its proportions being particularly useful when reading the satellite navigation. A full colour head-up display is an option well worth going for as it clarity and brilliantly ergonomic function makes for a more “eyes on road” driving experience. In the front there are two large rib reinforcing seats whilst in the rear, a bench offers just enough space for two adults providing those sat ahead are not King Kong. Obviously with a car of this nature boot space will be compromised when the roof is tucked away, but unlike its 3 Series predecessor, the 4 Series Convertible has the ability to move the roof out of the way in order fit luggage more easily.
This 435i is powered by a turbocharged 3.0 litre petrol engine producing 306HP and a tarmac tearing 400NM of torque. Clearly not just a pretty face, the BMW 435i M Sport Convertible will do 0-62MPH in just 5.6 seconds and go onto an electronically limited top speed of 155MPH. Heading out in this 435i, I took the liberty of lowering the roof which completes its transformation in 20 seconds and can be done at speeds up to 8MPH. The drive at usual speeds is one of tranquility and comfort. This cars 6 speed manual transmission is as smooth as honey, as is the power delivery from the engine. Steering is light and precise making this car a prime candidate for those who intend on making a long-term investment. However, the 4 Series is meant to be a more focused and sporting model to the 3. So where is that loving spoonful of brute force that we expected? Click the car into Sport or Sport+ and you will light the fuse to an enthralling driving experience. Exhaust valves open, steering gains weight and the throttle response sharpens providing you with the tools necessary to put a grin on your face. Heel and toe down a gear and hold tight as all of those ponies are channeled to the rear wheels. The high levels of torque sucks you back into your seat as the horizon becomes a damn sight closer. Point the car in the vicinity of an apex and the direction change is immediate. It feels alert and alive. Above 3,000rpm the power delivery is relentless and at 4,000rpm the engine note is sonorous. The hills are alive with the sound of horse power as you enjoy the dynamic and involving drive this BMW 435i M Sport Convertible brings to the table. There isn’t a hint of chassis flex and the 435i rides well in all environments. With the roof up, peace and quiet returns to the cabin for the journey home.
The BMW 435i M Sport Convertible is an extremely likeable car and one we would wholeheartedly recommend to those in the market for a powerful sporting convertible. In a world of automatic transmissions it was also very refreshing to swap cogs with three pedals, once again becoming the organic part of the machine. Our test car would set you back £45,470 with its equipment, which is a lot of money however you look at it. Yet as a complete package, that just like apple pie and custard, it is a mouth watering proposition.
“You can’t have everything” my mother would say to be when I was a child, and she was right. You can’t buy an ice cream on a sunny day and not expect it to melt, you can’t eat huge slices of cake and not get fat, and you certainly can’t travel on Virgin Galactic’s new space plane without first paying them £200,000. Life is about give and take with compromise just being something that you have to accept. “No” says BMW, “you shall go to the ball…” The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe 428i M Sport indeed lets you have your cake and eat it.
Previously you had a choice; either buy a BMW 3 Series for its practicality or order a 4 Series coupe for its athletic profile. For many the 3 Series was the default option because cramming a family into your dream coupe, often results in scathing expressions from your wife as you place a suitcase on top of your chosen child.
This new model joining the 4 Series range retains the more sporting stance of the coupe whilst offering those all important rear doors. There is no denying this machines handsome looks, especially in our test cars Estoril Blue. The M Sport package adds a smart set of 19 inch alloy wheels as well as more aggressive bodywork. Larger air intakes and a darkened grill gives the car sexily sinister demeanor. Designers have done a good job keeping the Gran Coupe’s proportions similar to that of the coupe with the roof only being 23mm taller.
The interior is one of premium design and elevates itself above that of its sister cars. Leather surrounds occupants, cocooning them in high quality materials. Aluminum details the cabin contrasting the black interior and adds a real sense of class. Two supportive rib hugging seats occupy the front where you will also find a brilliantly simplistic M Sport steering wheel. All too often steering wheels today are coated in a million buttons, this three spoke incarnation implies that this car is more about the driving experience than the toys inside. Although the rear seats three, a high transmission tunnel and raised middle seat lends this car to being more of a 4+1 than a permanent 5 seat vehicle. However, the two outer seats are more than capable of seating adults even with the Gran Coupes rapidly sloping roofline.
Bring the 245hp turbo charged engine into play, in combination with a sumptuously smooth 8 speed ZF gearbox and you will find the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe 428i M Sport to be a highly refined drive. The suspension removes road imperfections well whilst minimizing body roll. Steering inputs are met with a quick response and turbo lag upon stabs of the throttle is virtually nonexistent. Hit sport mode and this car comes to life in a manner that reminds you why this is not simply a 3 Series in a posh frock. The steering weights up, suspensions stiffens and throttle usage is met with intensive acceleration. In this state of high alert the 4 Series Gran Coupe is an utter joy to drive. In true BMW fashion, the car feels like a surgeon’s scalpel on twisty roads. A very accurate front end meet with good levels of grip and encourages further spirited driving. Its engine pulls strongly emitting a pleasing harmony provided by a choir of six cylinders. The enjoyment grows when using the paddle shifters to drop down the gears before diving into a pending corner. This cars balance of chassis dynamics is highly commendable. My only real complaint is that whilst in sport mode, the ride is a bit too firm for our battered British B-roads. It is not wildly uncomfortable, but thudding into potholes and fidgeting over consecutive bumps becomes irritating. Head out onto the motorway and the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe 428i M Sport becomes a tranquil long distance cruiser. It really is a car that just eats up the miles whilst you relax in an environment of technology sourcing from a widescreen infotainment display.
The 4 Series Gran Coupe 428i M Sport is my pick of the range thus far as it embodies the very best of BMW handling characteristics with the practicality that you so desire. At £42,850 our test car with all of its equipment would be quite the investment, however, its ability to blend both style and sustenance mustn’t be underrated.
BMW took the decision to separate the 3 Series models a while ago now. Whilst saloon variants remained under the legendary nameplate, both the coupe and convertible went their separate ways creating the 4 Series. This has enabled BMW to differentiate these cars producing a more handling focused package in the 4 Series line-up. Today the new 4 Series family has gained a third member in the form of the Gran Coupe. “Hang fire just one second! Aren’t saloon models now strictly placed within the 3 Series department?” I hear you cry. Indeed they are, however, the Gran Coupe as the name suggests is not technically a saloon. The four-door coupe segment has grown dramatically over the past few years with Audi and Mercedes-Benz all wanting a piece of the action. According to BMW, further ammunition for this cars business case lies in the fact that their 6 Series Gran Coupe outsells its coupe and convertible siblings by quite a margin. With 28,000 predicted sales over a 7 year period, this BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe 420d xDrive is expected to be one of the most popular specifications.
Looking seductively sleek from nose to tail, our test car was equipped the M Sport package giving it an even leaner profile. The strong bodylines that detail this sloping coupe enriches the car with taught muscular features. Proportionally the Gran Coupe retains similar dimensions to the coupe, only being 23mm taller. The thinking behind the car is that some customers want the sharp looks that a 4 Series coupe offers, but still require the practicality of a four-door. Here is proof that style needn’t be compromised by the requirements of family life.
Inside the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe 420d xDrive is just as special as the outside. The highly detailed wrap-around interior separates itself from that of the 3 Series with many sculpted shapes. Quality leather flows from the seats seamlessly to nearly every surface complimenting the aluminium detailing of the M Sport package. A large widescreen display sits as the centrepiece of the console primed with the latest iDrive software which, after a bit of sifting through, can be concluded as a big improvement over the old system. Touch input, where you can draw letters onto the surface of the traditional knob, enables you to quickly navigate your vast phonebook with ease. Rear seating offers a supportive bench that hosts three. Head and leg room are good for the outermost passengers considering the low roofline, however, if you are sat in the middle a large transmission tunnel will leave you no option other than to adopt an undignified straddle position. The traditional dark rear quarters of a coupe have been banished thanks to large windows allowing natural light to penetrate into the cabin. Another key attribute of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is its 480 litre boot which is identical in capacity to the new 3 Series. An automatic hatchback further increases day-to-day usability at no extra cost regardless of trim level.
The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe 420d xDrive is endowed with a 2.0 litre turbocharged diesel engine and all wheel drive. In this guise, not only does the xDrive setup offer that added sense of security during challenging weather, but also BMW claims that it will achieve 57.6MPG. In motion the torque from the turbo diesel, in tandem with having four wheels sending power to the ground, creates a strong surge of acceleration. The power is split between the two axels, but as much as 100% can be sent to the rear when such a situation demands it. These alterations are made in 0.1 seconds. Thanks to this dexterity the Gran Coupe feels nimble even with the added weight of all wheel drive. In comfort mode the ride is compliant but still retains that sporting edge of other 4 Series. The steering is light but precise. Switching things up to sport and then sport+ brings forth increased throttle response and greater weight to the steering. In this state the difference between a 3 Series saloon and the Gran Coupe is clear. The car feels alert and delivers a dynamic and very enjoyable experience that keen drivers will relish, even with the kids in the back. Whilst sport mode is no doubt where this BMW belongs, the firming of the suspension makes our often bumpy roads a bit grating over prolonged periods. Unfortunately in this model there is no way to tailor a specific suspension set-up of comfort to the desirable control sensitivity of sport. Overall the 420d xDrive feels surefooted and as with other BMWs specified with it, the 8 speed ZF gearbox has to be the smoothest of any automatic on sale today. Clicking though the gears via the paddle shifters showed it not only to be quick, but so subtle it is hard to notice the change.
Whilst this diesel engine might not be the quietest on the market, it is very capable and has proven to be a good companion for the rest of this package. The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe 420d xDrive is a very likable machine both in urban environments and whilst cruising at higher speeds. Although sceptical of this cars purpose in the BMW range at first, I am now convinced that it more than justifies itself.
Summer is almost here and their is no greater satisfaction than dropping the roof of a well sorted car and going for a country road blast. Obviously it has to be the right sort of convertible, many have the habit of not being anywhere near as good as their coupe counterparts. Now we have all finished cooing over the new BMW M4 and its aggressive array of grills, the Germans are getting into the summer spirit by unveiling their latest model. 2015 BMW M4 Cabriolet drops its top.
To make its debut at the New York motor show, this is the 2015 BMW M4 Cabriolet. It carries over the coupe’s masculine body lines and angry expression, handsome it defiantly it is. Something else it shares with the coupe is the 425BHP 406lb ft in-line six cylinder turbocharged engine. 0-62MPH is done in 4.6 seconds, but tick the optional seven speed dual clutch gearbox option and that comes down to 4.4 seconds. The BMW M4 Cabriolet is fitted with a metal folding roof that takes 20 seconds to complete its transformation.
The new M car goes on sale this September priced from £60,730.
Car manufacturers are currently looking for “the next big thing.” Crossovers took the world by storm and so being one of the first to produce whatever craze will be next to grip the automotive sector will result in a lot of money being made. BMW have been trying very hard to find a niche that ticks the boxes with cars such as the X4, and 6 Series GrandCoupe. However, the German brand has just announced that they are not done just yet with their new model assault. BMW 4 Series GranCoupe Revealed.
BMW effectively split the 3 Series range into coupe (4 Series) and saloon (3 Series) last year. The 4 Series GrandCoupe is a saloon variant of the coupe? Don’t worry, you’re not the only one thinking that BMW have just built a direct competitor to their 3 Series saloon. Regardless, the new car does look very attractive carrying many of the 4 Series’ handsome features. The BMW 4 Series GranCoupe goes on sale in June starting from £29,000. Rear wheel drive is standard but tick the right option boxes and an all-weather enduring all wheel driver xDrive model can be had for £33,815. The most spritely engine is the 435i powered by a turbocharged 3.0 litre inline six cylinder engine that is good for 0-62MPH in 5.2 seconds.
As nice as the new 3 Series and 4 Series are, let us all be honest for a second, it’s the M cars that we have all been waiting for right? We have been drip-fed details about design and have heard that the pair will aim to reduce weight. A concept car of the M4 was even shown a few months ago just to get us all salivating. Well, prepare to feast your eyes on the next generation of offerings from the legendary M division.
Just as BMW split the 3 Series line-up into two separate models representing Coupe (4 Series) and saloon (3 Series), the M cars follow suit. The new M3 saloon represents handsomely aggressive performance package with the practicality of having rear doors. Bold body lines and signature kidney grills bring this motoring icon bang up to date. The M4 mimics this design architecture but in a more seductive coupe body style. Its stance appears a bit more butch over the M3 and with those black alloy wheels it looks nothing short of evil. Inside you will find body hugging seats, a widescreen display and your usual brilliantly German ergonomics.
Both cars are powered by a 425BHP straight six that has not one, but two turbos! 0-62MPH for this pair is done and dusted in just 4.3 seconds, or with the optional seven-speed DCT, 4.1 seconds. As standard the top speed is electronically limited to 155MPH but tick the right option boxes and it can be raised to 174MPH. The 2014 BMW M3 and M4 go on sale in May at £56,175 and £56,635 respectively.
BMW’s shake-up of model names has brought some big changes to much loved icons. The legendary 3 Series will now only be sold as a saloon with the coveted coupe model becoming the 4 Series. New models branching off of the 4 Series Coupe are being revealed one by one with the Cabriolet now taking the spot light.
Making its debut at the LA motor show, this is the BMW 4 Series Cabriolet. Three engines are available from launch consisting of two petrols and one diesel. The 420d is powered by a turbocharged 2.0 litre engine with 181BHP, the 428i makes use of a 2.0 litre four cylinder twin-turbo engine producing 241BHP, the top model 435i uses a 3.0 litre in-line six that is also turbocharged for a total power output of 302BHP. 0-62MPH in the 435i takes just 5.6 seconds. Prices start from £36,675 and go up to £44,970. All models get the choice of either a six speed manual or eight speed automatic gearbox.
BMW’s decision to rename the 3 Series coupe as the 4 Series has both its positive and negative aspects. On the plus side we now have a model that is even more focused than the one it replaces as it can be designed without having to cast a thought to a saloon incarnation. That said, the 4 Series is a brand new nameplate and does not carry the 3 Series’ illustrious history. In short, this new car has to impress if it is to become as much of a legend as its predecessor.
The M-Performance Package for the Germans latest coupe adds a sinister depth to the cars appearance. A more sculpted bodykit with enhanced character lines gives this 4 Series a more aggressive stance. This car clearly previews the much anticipated M4… Revised suspension and 20 inch alloy wheels can now be specified along with a slight increase of power and torque to most engine options. The performance increase comes thanks to some revised ECU trickery and a new exhaust system.
The BMW 3 Series is something of an icon. Be it in coupe or saloon variations the involving German engineered machine provides a fantastic all-round ownership proposition, but with competitors such as Mercedes-Benz and Audi challenging the cars dominance BMW are attempting to up their game. Separating the coupe from the saloon allows BMW’s model range to grown and for more of a sporting focus to be put on the coupe, or as it is now known, the 4 Series.
This is the finished production BMW 4 Series, a modern and stylish machine that picks up from where the 3 Series coupe left off. The new car will be offered in a broad 5 trim levels named: SE, Sport, Modern, Luxury and M-Sport. This car is lower and wider than the four door 3 Series. From launch there will be three engine options, two petrol and one diesel. On the petrol front is a 2.0 litre 242BHP four cylinder and 3.0 litre 302BHP six cylinder. The only diesel on offer from day one is in the form of the 420d that is equipped with a 181BHP turbocharged four cylinder. More engines shall be added a month after launch including a 435d with all wheel drive. A six speed manual transmission comes as standard and an 8 speed automatic finds a home on the options list. The fastest engine of the three from launch is the 435i that will complete 0-62MPH in 5.1 seconds.
Prices start from £31,575 and the 4 Series shall be available this October. The performance focused M4 will arrive late next year.
Are you ready for one of the biggest paradigm shifts the automotive industry has seen over the past 10 years? The BMW 3 Series, as we know it anyway, is dead… The very capable coupe will no longer wear its fabled number 3 and so closes a chapter in BMW’s long history. As the winds of change swirl through the corridors of the German manufacturer, a new legend begins.
BMW’s line-up is going through a metamorphosis that will see all coupe variations of different series’ get their own model designation. Just like the 6 Series is a coupe of the 5 series, the 4 series is to become the new 3 series coupe. The 3 series from now on will only come in saloon flavour.
So here it is… This is the BMW 4 Series and what a striking machine it is to look at! If the chaps in Bavaria wanted to make a statement about this all new car then they have very much succeeded. The new design is fresh and purposeful giving it a real character of its own. Could this be the best looking BMW of all time? I think so. Though officially a concept car, what you see before you is about 97% production ready. What is under bonnet I hear you cry? BMW are playing their cards very close to the chest at the moment. The short answer is that they haven’t officially told us yet.
Check out all of the HIGH RESOLUTION images of the stunning new BMW 4 Series on our Facebook page. Trust me, these three pictures alone do not do it justice!
