2021 BMW 4 Series Coupe Puts A Bold Face To A Dynamic Coupe Body

The new BMW 4-Series has finally been officially revealed, following numerous spy shots and major leaks over the past days, weeks and months that spilled the beans on one of the industry’s worst kept secrets.

BMW went bold with the face of the second-generation 4-Series, adopting a oversized vertical approach for the kidney grille in a bid to make its new coupe more distinctive than its rivals as well as its predecessor. Whether that’s good or not, we’ll let the market decide it.

Read More: BMW Reveals Facelifted 5-Series Sedan And Touring

Putting the front grille situation aside, the new BMW 4-Series looks both elegant and sporty in the way BMW is doing all those years for the two-door variant of the 3-Series.

The bodywork’s smooth styling features a shoulder line that makes the car look wider in the rear while the modern LED lighting units front and rear are tastefully done. Look closely at the boot lid and you’ll see that the edge is shaped like a perfectly integrated lip. This clean-styling approach is inspired largely by its bigger brother, the 8-Series.

As with every new BMW available today, the new 4-Series will sport different bumpers depending on which trim line you go for; the most aggressive look is achieved by the M Sport-equipped models, featuring sharper bumpers with large air intakes, bigger wheels, a sport suspension, a stronger brake system and more.

The powertrain offerings

The range will be spearheaded by the new M440i xDrive, the first M Performance variant ever offered in a 4-Series model. Power is provided by the turbocharged 3.0-liter straight-six unit producing 369 HP (374 PS) and paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission. BMW has also added a mild-hybrid 48V starter-generator that adds an extra 11 HP, a system that’s also present on the diesel-powered models. The fastest variant of the new BMW 4-Series, until the arrival of the new M4, can hit 62 mph (100 km/h) from a standstill in 4.7 seconds and reach a limited 155 mph (250 km/h) top speed.

The European model range will initially include the 420i with a 184 HP 2.0-liter turbo-four petrol, the 430i with a 258 HP 2.0-liter turbo-four petrol, as well as the 420d with a 190 HP 2.0-liter turbo-four diesel and the 420d xDrive. BMW says it’ll add the 430d with a 286 HP 3.0-liter turbo-six diesel and the M440d xDrive with a 340 HP 3.0-liter turbo-six diesel to the range as of March 2021. All models are fitted with an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard.

U.S. range and prices

US customers will be offered the choice between the 430i, which starts from $46,595, the 430i xDrive, starting from $48,595, and the M440i xDrive, which is accompanied by a $59,495. All prices include destination charges.

A bigger footprint

Based on BMW’s CLAR platform, the 2021 4-Series is bigger in every way compared to its predecessor unsurprisingly. Compared to the current 3-Series, with which it shares the same wheelbase and underpinnings, it’s 2.2 inches (56 mm) longer, 1 inch (25 mm) wider, 2.2 inches (56 mm) lower, and features a wider rear track by 1 inch (25 mm).

It’s a 3-Series (minus a seat) inside

Perhaps the most unsurprising thing of the new 4-Series is the interior, which shares its dashboard design with the 3-Series. The 4-Series gets a restyled steering wheel with revised multifunction controls, newly-developed sports seats as standard, and an extended range of leather upholstery options that include different colors, decorative quilting, and seam patterns.

The new BMW 4-Series will also feature things like an acoustic glass for the windscreen and better-sealed doors as standard to enhance the quietness and comfort inside the cabin. In addition, the BMW Live Cockpit Plus system will be standard fit while a new, larger head-up display will be optional. As with its predecessor, the 4 Coupe will have a four-seat layout.

BMW will launch the new 4-Series Coupe worldwide this October, with more bodystyles to follow. These will include the Convertible (see below) as well as the four-door Gran Coupe variant. Of course, the king of the range will be the new M4, which is expected to make its debut later this year.

Tops Off: BMW 4 Series Convertible

Joining the coupe will be the 4 Series Convertible that will feature a fabric roof in place of the outgoing model’s, more expensive, intricate, and heavier electric folding metal top. This solution will also free up more cargo space over the previous version, though it will remain smaller than the coupe.

Elsewhere, the cabriolet will mirror the coupe 4 Series, from its polarizing double kidney grille to the available engine options that will include a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder for the 430i and a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six for the M440i in North America, with other markets getting additional powertrains such as diesel options.
The new 4 Series Convertible is rumored to be introduced before the end of the year.

More to come: The new BMW M4

The crown jewel of the latest 4 Series will, of course, be the next iteration of the M4, which for the first time, will gain a similar xDrive four-wheel drive system to the latest M5 with an M-Dynamic that allows rear-drive only at a flip of a switch. Power will come from BMW’s newer twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six engine featured in the X3 M and X4 M. In the new M4 (as well as the upcoming M3), it will be available in at least two power levels, starting at 473 HP (480 PS) for the base variant and moving up to 503 HP (510 PS) for the Competition.

Insiders suggest that you’ll be able to choose between an eight-speed automatic that replaces the dual-clutch unit of the outgoing model, and a six-speed manual gearbox. It’s also possible that BMW will offer a manual model paired to rear-drive only.

Besides the dedicated engine and special chassis tune, the M4 will also sport a bespoke look with bulkier rear wheel arches, quad pipes, bigger wheels and larger intakes on the outside, and model-specific changes inside, including the instrument panel and trimmings.