What is right with the new BMW 4 Series Coupé

The automotive industry, designers and mostly enthusiast were all having a craze on the next BMW 4 Series. A legitimate feeling, as the ~~3 Series Coupé~~ 4 Series (outdated joke alert) is kind of BMW’s flagship, despite the 7, 8 or X Series. The new sports coupé is a new car coming with many new features, that we will strive to describe first – like 99% of all medias – as an introduction to the people global reaction and more specifically the new design. Lastly, we will defend it. Simple, right?
Text: Luca W. © Photos: Alfa Romeo, BMW, Audi, Chevrolet, Ford, Lexus, Porsche,Toyota ©

New engines? Or lining up?

The new BMW 4 Series G22 comes with 3 petrol and 4 diesel engines (we will nor mention, nor describe diesel engines because it never existed) :

420i Coupé :
- 1,998 cc, four-cylinder in-line petrol engine, eight-speed Steptronic transmission, 184hp and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft).
- Acceleration [0 – 100 km/h (62 mph)]: 7.5 seconds, top speed: 240 km/h (149 mph).
- Fuel consumption, combined: 5.8 – 5.3 l/100 km (48.7 – 53.3 mpg imp), CO2 emissions, combined: 132 – 122 g/km.

430i Coupé:
- 1,998 cc, four-cylinder in-line petrol engine, eight-speed Steptronic transmission, 258hp and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft).
- Acceleration [0 – 100 km/h (62 mph)]: 5.8 seconds, top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph).
- Fuel consumption, combined: 6.1 – 5.7 l/100 km (46.3 – 49.6 mpg imp), CO2 emissions, combined: 141 – 131 g/km.

M440i xDrive Coupé:
- 2,998 cc, six-cylinder in-line petrol engine, 48V mild hybrid technology (8 kW/11 hp), eight-speed Steptronic transmission, xDrive, 374hp and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft)
- Acceleration [0 – 100 km/h (62 mph)]: 4.5 seconds, top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph).
- Fuel consumption, combined: 7.1 – 6.8 l/100 km (39.8 – 41.5 mpg imp), CO2 emissions, combined: 163 – 155 g/km.

To summarize, nothing new in the engine bay, except that all cars come with a dual clutch transmission (why naming it Steptronic?). Yet, numbers are impressive : a minimum of 300 Nm of torque in a range of nearly 3,000 rpm. Notice the M440i has a four-wheel drive system (please don’t put it on the M4) and is fitted with a mild hybrid technology that adds 11 hp.

Except diesel engines, what is wrong?

Bigger and smarter

The dynamically stretched proportions of the new BMW 4 Series Coupé are the result of its larger exterior dimensions.

Added to which, enhanced aerodynamics, a 57-millimetre reduction in vehicle height compared with the 3 Series Sedan and a resultant 21-millimetre lower centre of gravity all benefit sports performance. The new 4 Series is bigger, lower, weighs around 1550 kg, so there is no major difference with its predecessor on a technical data sheet… Saving the significantly wider range of driver assistance systems that we will not broach for the moment.

Regardless the increase of a few millimetres, what is wrong?

What is right with the BMW 4 Series Coupé: inside

The interior follows the engine and style: lining up, as it is similar (if not an exact reproduction) of the 3/5 Series. After having a spiteful gossip, there are so many beautiful things inside the 4 Series: it is pure, horizontal and simple. Finally a customer can now buy a new car with a real, relaxing, modern space. Naturally, it is equipped with all the latest technologies: numeric cluster, ADAS, beautifully standard integrated screen, delicate, sublime seats and even a steering wheel!

Despite the similar interior design, what not right with the BMW 4 Series Coupé?

The sore point

Since the Concept 4 was presented at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, it was almost impossible to avoid the negative comments: “Horrible”, “There’s still some hope, this is just a concept”, “BMW is dead to me”, “I don’t like the stance”, “🤮” and many other towards BMW designers, who don’t really care to be frank. All of this due to ONE element: the double kidney grille. The main thing with new designs is that history repeats itself: people don’t like it, then get used to it, before liking it, later, they love and want it. Remember those cars?

No need to argue: any car enthusiast knows these cars are now loved and wanted; simply look at their market value.

Back to the BMW 4 Series, which is definitely a step up in terms of the brand’s late designs: focus on the X Series, loaded with body lines and plastic everywhere. Indeed, they have reached a peak in this design language, taken from Japan (i.e. Toyota) and now, BMW is coming back to a less busy bodywork than we are used to see from all manufacturers now. Yet, we would have prefered a mini 8 Series in terms of design, even if the side view is very close to it.

The grill of the BMW 4 Series Coupé or of all BMWs?

The grill? What grill? Do you mean the one that fitted BMW cars in the 30s? Yes, it is bigger, vertical and separated, which has everything to do with BMW’s identity.

Moreover, why attacking BMW while others are worse? BMW fans are not as conservative as Porsche ones, so it is a tough one to explain. In order to be more objective, if you don’t mind, please have a look at other car manufacturers’ grill.

Except nothing, what is not right with the BMW 4 Series Coupé grill?

Except your opinion, what is not right with the BMW 4 Series Coupé?

Should we thank BMW for not oversizing the 4 Series grill? No doubt, as they finally going all-in in their graphical features, and starting to settle down on who they are. The grill is indeed shocking but is a beautiful feature that makes BMW stand out, while keeping the global proportions perfect, removing extra-useless lines and affirming their new identity. Is the 4 Series a success? Only sales will tell, but in terms of design, it is not as cool as the 8 Series but still is a great successor to the F32.