BMW’S NEW 4 SERIES CONVERTIBLE, which had its world premiere today, will be in Australian showrooms early next year.
The open-top variant will follow the 4 Series Coupé that lands locally in November this year and combine elegant design and dynamic prowess while continuing BMW’s new product offensive.
The Australian line-up of 4 Series Convertibles will include the 420i, 430i and range topping M440i xDrive. Each model features engines that integrate BMW TwinPower Turbo technology to provide high levels of efficiency and seamless power delivery.
Exterior design: distinctive and elegant
The brand’s new design language has produced a striking interpretation of the low-slung silhouette established as a signature feature of premium mid-size BMW convertibles.
The new model’s elegant design stems from its larger exterior dimensions.
At 4.768m, it is 128mm longer than its predecessor, while width has increased by 27mm to 1.852m and its wheelbase by 41mm to 2.851m. Vehicle height is 1.384m with the roof closed.
Increased track widths (28mm at the front and 18mm at the rear) accentuate the car’s muscular stature while enhancing its sharp handling qualities.
Front end with expressive styling highlights
Alongside the car’s proportions, the front end of the new BMW 4 Series Convertible highlights its standalone character.
The defining element is its large, vertically emphasised BMW kidney grille, which – as on the new BMW 4 Series Coupé – takes pride of place at the centre of the front end.
The grille has a pronounced forward slant and employs air intakes, with a mesh structure as standard, which indicate the cooling air requirements of the BMW TwinPower Turbo engines.
The slim headlights of the new BMW 4 Series Convertible cut deep into the front wheel arches with full-LED headlight style units fitted as standard.
There is also the option of Adaptive LED Headlights with BMW Laserlight, whose features include the adaptive cornering function with variable road illumination optimised for urban and freeway driving.
Stylish silhouette, distinctive roofline and a striking rear
The far-back positioning of the seats becomes particularly apparent when the roof is open and helps to create an open-top driving experience for which BMW convertibles are renowned.
When closed, the softtop roof arches over the passenger cell. The precise lines and three-dimensionally sculpted surfaces of the rear wheel arches combine to form powerful shoulders that give the new BMW 4 Series Convertible a broad, muscular appearance, particularly with the roof down.
This impression is reinforced by the slim rear light units extending well into the flanks. The lights are stylishly darkened, with their rear bars illuminating uniformly to reproduce the L shape familiar from other BMW models.
New panel bow softtop: comfort, harmonious design and reduced weight
The innovative panel bow softtop of the new BMW 4 Series Convertible marries the strengths of a retractable hardtop and the classic appeal of a fabric roof.
It comprises large panel bow elements with a flush-fitting glass rear window, several layers of insulation and a fabric cover available in Black as standard and Anthracite Silver effect as an option.
The acoustic and thermal comfort of the panel bow softtop roof are superior to a conventional softtop design. At the same time, it is 40 percent lighter than the outgoing model’s retractable hardtop.
The roof is powered by an electric motor that enables it to open or close within 18 seconds at the push of a button, including while on the move at speeds up to 50km/h.
The variable softtop compartment allows luggage capacity to be increased from 300 to 385 litres when the roof is closed.
Interior: four seats, premium ambience
The driver-centric cockpit design is enhanced by the large screen grouping formed by the instrument cluster and control display.
The ergonomically optimised arrangement of the controls also reveals the character of a car built for the enjoyment of driving pleasure, as do standard features such as sports seats in the front with automatically extending and retracting belt feeders, Vernasca leather trim, seat heating and a sports steering wheel.
The high-set centre console combines with the harmoniously coordinated structuring of the instrument panel, door panel trim and shoulder areas in the rear to create an enveloping environment. The shoulder line, framed by a continuous trim strip, increases this sensation particularly when driving with the roof down.
BMW TwinPower engines ideal accompaniment to roof down cruising
A range of engine variants incorporating enhanced BMW TwinPower turbo technology feature in the three 4 Series Convertible models.
These include two four-cylinder engines for the 420i and 430i, delivering 135kW/300Nm and 190kW/400Nm respectively and a six cylinder unit for the M440i xDrive that develops 285kW/500Nm.
All three power units are matched with a fast-shifting eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission that can be controlled via steering wheel-mounted shift paddles.
Improved body rigidity, stiff chassis tuning
The body’s extremely rigid structure is stiffened further by the addition of features such as convertible-specific bracing, an aluminium shear panel at the bottom of the front end and side skirts with extremely high torsional rigidity.
As a result, the static torsional rigidity of the new BMW 4 Series Convertible is four percent higher overall than that of its predecessor.
An intelligent mix of materials serves to optimise both weight and crash safety. The car’s low centre of gravity, improved aerodynamic properties and model-specific tweaks to the chassis geometry, mounting and set-up result in even sharper handling agility and precision.
The M Sport suspension incorporates specially tuned lift-related dampers, while the M440i xDrive model features Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers.
Variable sport steering is included with the both suspension variants. The new BMW 4 Series Convertible rides as standard on 19-inch alloy wheels, while optional M Sport brakes are available with a choice of blue or red brake calipers.
The standard equipment roster for the flagship M440i xDrive includes an M Sport differential with electronically controlled, fully variable locking function in the rear differential.
This item is also available as an option for the new BMW 430i Convertible in conjunction with M Sport suspension or adaptive M suspension.
The M Sport grade, which will be standard on locally-delivered BMW 4 Series Convertibles, stands out with its large front air intakes, strikingly sculpted rear apron, M Sport suspension, sport seats upholstered in Vernasca leather trim, knee pads on the centre console and other specially designed interior features.
It also features 19-inch M light-alloy wheels, provides a dynamic engine soundtrack in the cabin and a premium hi-fi speaker system.
BMW M models can be identified by their exterior accents finished in Cerium Grey.
Both they and the M Sport model are also available with an M Carbon exterior package.
Model-specific wind deflector and neck warmers
A range of high-quality optional extras can be added to further enhance both the car’s comfort, individual sense of style and the pleasure of driving with the roof down.
The optional wind deflector carefully directs the flow of air through the cabin. It can be easily removed, even with the roof closed, placed in the bespoke supplied bag and stowed behind the folding rear backrest.
The neck warmers integrated into the front head restraints increase the sense of comfort when driving in low outside temperatures.
Extended BMW Individual Merino leather trim and BMW Individual full leather trim will be made available later as an alternative to the standard Vernasca leather trim.
Electrically adjustable sports seats come as standard, while optional climate seats are also now available for the first time. Other options include BMW Individual interior trim strips of particularly fine quality, an instrument panel in Sensatec and a leather-covered BMW Individual instrument panel.
Three-zone automatic climate control and a storage package are both included as standard on the new BMW 4 Series Convertible, while ambient lighting with Welcome Light Carpet, steering wheel heating and Harman Kardon Surround sound system are some features that can be specified as options.
Range of driver assistance systems fitted as standard
A far wider selection of driver assistance systems is fitted to the new model compared with the outgoing 4 Series Convertible.
Parking Assistant including Reversing Assistant, Driving Assistant including front collision warning with brake intervention, Lane Change Warning and Lane Departure Warning and the Speed Limit Info system are all now fitted as standard.
Driving Assistant Professional adds multiple features including the Steering and Lane Control Assistant.
In conjunction with BMW Live Cockpit Professional, 3D visualisation of the surrounding area presents the traffic situation as a graphic in the centre of the fully digital instrument cluster.
The latest generation of the BMW Head-Up Display uses a projection area that is now 70 percent larger to show driving-related information in the driver’s field of vision.
New digital services with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality
A built-in SIM card with 4G LTE connectivity and standard BMW Connected Package Professional enable use of digital services including BMW TeleServices and Intelligent Emergency Call, Real Time Traffic Information with hazard warning, Remote Services and Concierge Services.
The new 4 Series Convertible will also optionally offer the advanced Remote Engine Start feature.
The driver and passengers in the new BMW 4 Series Coupé will benefit from enhanced options for intuitive operation and the innovative digital services brought by the inclusion of BMW Operating System 7.0.
Display content can be configured individually while the intuitive multimodal interaction between driver and vehicle can take place – depending on the situation – via the control display’s touchscreen, the proven iDrive Controller, the multifunction buttons on the steering wheel or voice control.
The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant with added functions is also at the customer’s service as a standard feature in the new BMW 4 Series Convertible.
BMW Live Cockpit Professional features a fully digital screen grouping comprising a digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel with a screen diagonal of 12.3 inches and a 10.25-inch control display.
BMW Connected Package Professional also includes optimised smartphone integration.
In addition to Apple CarPlay, the operating system for the new BMW 4 Series Convertible now also hosts Android Auto to broaden the vehicle’s technology offering.
Remote Software Upgrade also enables improved vehicle functions, the ability to update the vehicle software and additional digital services to be imported over the air.