PRICE : For 2014 BMW 4-series $40,500
Tantalized by the 2014 BMW 4-series, but hesitant to put money down on the 3-series coupe replacement until you've had the chance to pore over a complete list of options packages? Once you've worked your way through the pricing guide below, you'll have no excuse not to head to your local BMW dealer. The online configurator went live a few months ago, but this is perhaps the most straightforward and easily digestible pricing breakdown so far.
At the low end of the pricing spectrum is the 428i coupe. Equipped with a 242 hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, this base model starts at $41,425 including destination and handling fees. Stepping up to the all-wheel drive 428i xDrive coupe bumps the price up to $43,425.
Inline-six powered versions are, as one might guess, a little more spendy: Adding two cylinders adds $5,500 to the base price, with the turbocharged 3.0-liter I6-powered 435i and all-wheel drive 435i xDrive costing $46,925 and $48,925, respectively.Manual transmission die-hards take note: 428i, 435i and 435i xDrive cars can be had with a six-speed manual. Otherwise, you'll be driving with an eight-speed automatic.
Adding options will quickly inflate those base prices. The M Sport package, for example, adds $3,500 to the 428i and $3,100 to the 435i and opens up a world of alloy wheel possibilities while adding sport seats and bumping limited top speed upward. The technology package isn't cheap at $3,150 but adds a heads-up display, a navigation system with touchpad and more.
Select a few of these packages and you're looking at a $60,000 sticker price.
German cars being what they are, we could go on listing various options packages and prices until the heat death of the universe; our rapidly fading memories of college statistics courses suggest that there are approximately 60 trillion interior/exterior permutations available to the prospective 4-series buyer.
If you're looking to replace your now-outdated 3-series two-door, we suggest pouring a stiff drink before diving into the dizzying 4-series pricing guide below.
EXTERIOR
When compared to the model it replaces - the 3 Series Coupe - the new 4 Series Coupe is larger in width and wheelbase, making it more aerodynamic and dropping it lower to the road.
Most of the exterior is borrowed from the 3 Series sedan, including the double-kidney grille, twin circular headlights and the large air intake in the front apron. Still, for the 4 Series Coupe BMW BMW opted for a sportier appearance and added air breathers, positioned behind of the front wheel arches, to reduce aerodynamic drag.
The side profile of the 4 Series Coupe does hark back to the 6 Series. If you were to put the 4 Series and 6 Series side by side with serious backlighting, it would be pretty difficult to differentiate between the two silhouettes. This 6 Series-like look, adds a level of elegance to the 4 Series that makes it an upgrade over the outgoing 3 Series Coupe.
On the rear end, the taillights will feature the customary BMW L-shaped design and a newly designed rear spoiler. The rear is where we sort of lose our excitement of the 4 Series, as it is way too much like the 3 Series rump.
INTERIOR
In terms of technology, the basic 6.5-inch display screen is adequate, but you'll want to get the larger, optional screen for a true, luxury electronics interface. This year's iDrive system has been updated slightly, with the most noticeable change being a touchpad on top of the controller that can be used to hand write inputs using your finger. Overall, iDrive is pretty easy to use, thanks to straightforward menus, crisp graphics and quick processing times. But compared to some rival systems, it typically requires a few more twirls and clicks to get what you want.
Behind the wheel, a lower seating position than the sedan helps add to the sporting persona of the BMW 4 Series. The front seats are very supportive and comfortable and good both for long road trips and spirited driving. Compared to the previous-generation 3 Series two-doors, there is also more room all around, particularly in the rear where there's an impressive amount of legroom and enough headroom for average-sized adults. The 4's trunk is also pretty roomy. The convertible is slightly less, but even with the top retracted you'll still have a reasonable amount of space.
SPECIFICATION
► Year:2014
► Make:BMW
► Model:4-Series
► Engine:inline-4
► Transmission:Eight-Speed Automatic
► Horsepower @ RPM:240 @ 5000
► Torque @ RPM:255 @ 1250
► Displacement:2.0 L
► 0-60 time:5.7 sec. (Est.)
► Top Speed:155 mph
FEATURES
The BMW 4-Series comes in Coupe or Convertible body styles, with rear- or all-wheel drive, and with a choice of four- or six-cylinder engines and six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmissions. Prices range from about $42,000 for the base 428i Coupe to just less than $50,000 for the all-wheel-drive 435xi. Convertibles are priced from just below $50,000, and can be configured beyond $60,000.
Just as it does on the 3-Series sedans and wagons and hatchbacks, BMW groups the 4-Series into trim lines also, giving buyers a choice of M Sport, Sport, and Luxury themes. All come with the usual Bluetooth activity, power windows/locks/mirrors, and climate control. The Luxury package adds upgraded leather in the cabin, a choice of three interior wood trims, unique color combinations, and exterior high-gloss chrome accents. The Sport line replaces the chrome with high-gloss black exterior cues, red-stitched leather in the interior, and red highlights in the instrument cluster, among other upgrades. The M Sport line gets a unique M aerodynamic kit, an optional exclusive Estoril blue exterior color, Shadowline exterior accents, an anthracite headliner, sport seats, and M-themed interior details.
The 4-Series Convertible's folding hardtop can lower or raise itself in 20 seconds, at speeds of up to 11 mph. BMW says it's fitted the folded top more effectively into the trunk this time, retaining up to 7.8 cubic feet of storage space when the top is down (or 13 cubic feet when it's up). A fold-down rear seat extends the usefulness of the trunk--and on the less practical side, BMW also fits a standard windblock, three-setting neck warmers, and more sound-deadening materials for a longer driving season and for a quieter ride than in the former 3-Series Convertible.
Other major options on the 4-Series include a color head-up display; active cruise control; a collision warning system; and a sport suspension and sport brakes with blue calipers, the latter as upgrades to the M Sport package.
The optional navigation system is governed by the latest version of BMW's iDrive, the roller-controller system that's now flanked by a host of buttons, augmented by voice controls, and layered with a touch-sensitive surface on the controller that lets drivers write out text such as addresses with a fingertip. It comes with real-time traffic data, and can be teamed with a data subscription that adds Google search capability. It's a system that's grown many override layers to the original, austere version that relied only on the knob--and lots of spinning and clicking--but it's still a maze of functionality that takes a few weeks to truly understand and customize.
► Navigation system : The new generation of the Navigation System Professional impresses with its new design and optimised operating system. It has a significantly greater breadth of functionality and a high-resolution, contrast-rich colour display. The familiar menu navigation has been retained, although extra functions have been added.
The graphics of the previous user interface have been completely overhauled and the navigation system's maps given 3D elements. The central Control Display is operated in the familiar way using the ergonomically perfectly positioned iDrive Touch Controller in the centre console, which now has an integral new, touch-sensitive surface and proximity sensor technology for even easier use. Users can now use their finger to write characters into every text input panel on the touchpad can and switch between handwriting and the conventional rotate-and-press method at any time. Plus, the ring cursor in the Navigation System Professional's interactive map can also be moved around using the touchpad. This makes selecting a POI, for example, an intuitive and efficient process.
PERFORMANCE
Now that it's been spun off from the 3-Series lineup of sedans, wagons, and hatchbacks, you might think the 4-Series would develop a much different personality--maybe more brash, more cocky? It's just not the case, as the slightly lower, slightly more sporty 4er doesn't do much differently than the latest 3-Series. It fires up sweetly engineered in-line engines, shifts with ease, bear-hugs the road--and plots a clear trajectory into M territory with performance suspension and braking upgrades.
Build a better Supra, and they will come, in other words.
Two powerplants are on the order sheet, with displacement that no longer has any numeric relationship with the badge. The 428i uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder to generate 240 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque, which puts it within reach of 60 mph in 5.7 seconds with either the manual or automatic transmission and with grippy summer tires. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.
Under the hood of 435i models, there's a familiar 3.0-liter turbocharged in-line six-cylinder engine rated at 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. Performance is last-gen M3-brisk, with the 435i sprinting to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds with the manual transmission, or 5.0 seconds with the automatic.
Power delivery with either engine is lump-free, a gravy train of torque from just over idle to about 5000 rpm--and quieter and smoother at its mission than, say, the turbo four in the Cadillac ATS. The six-cylinder still pulls with the in-line smoothness that quantifies the value of BMW engineering; it accounts for most of its perceptual superiority to the Caddy and, say, the Mercedes C-Class.
Rear-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is available with either engine.
BMW makes an eight-speed automatic transmission standard on the 4-Series, but a six-speed manual transmission is a no-cost option on rear-drive coupes. The manual shifter's an inspiring thing, with clean gearchanges and lovely clutch uptake, but it's bound to be a rare thing. The automatic's that good: its eight gears are spaced especially well to handle the six's torque spread, and paddle shifters and sport driving modes dial in faster gear swaps than any human can manage.
Of all the changes that have been wrought on the latest 3-Series and now in turn, the 4-Series, the electric power steering system has probably done the most to shake the foundations of the BMW faithful. The standard flavor weights up evenly but quickly, and with the larger wheel/tire combinations offered (up to 19 inches), the 4er's steering just feels heavier than it needs to, and follows the crown on the road more than it should. Feedback? That's something you get on microphones, right? There's a premium Variable Sports steering setup that changes the rack's ratio; we haven't tried it yet, but it's bound to be a popular feature on the future M4.
The path to that highly evolved 4-Series is clearly defined, from the way its suspension has been altered with more aluminum components and more structural stiffness than before. It still wants to be, and can be, a smooth grand tourer. The Driving Dynamics Control programming lets drivers tune shift points, throttle mapping, and steering response from a base level into an efficiency profile, and in either, it loafs along with rational, responsible moves.
But the 4-Series really feels most alive in the hands when it's spun into Sport or Sport+. The steering pounces into turns, the automatic snaps off almost instantaneous shifts, the throttle zips up and down the powerband. The stability control unlocks its chastity belt.
The next step toward utopia: the M Sport package, with its lower ride height, firmer springs and dampers, 18- or 19-inch wheels, available summer tires, and the option for electronically controlled dampers. With smart concessions to ride smoothness in the form of near-zero body lean, it's as close to a track-ready effort as the 4-Series comes--that is, until that M4 arrives, sometime in mid-2014.
DRIVETRAIN
The new 2014 BMW 4 Series' sleek exterior look promises a lot in the way of excitement, and it largely delivers on BMW's "Ultimate Driving Machine" tag line.
There's nothing wrong with picking the 428i, It hardly drives like a "base" model. In fact, you'll get nearly identical performance as the 435i for thousands of dollars less. Its four-cylinder delivers remarkably quick acceleration, and an engaging engine and exhaust note that will have you winding up through the gears, fuel economy be damned.
The same can be said for the 2014 BMW 435i, but to an even greater extent. The traditionalist's choice in terms of transmissions will always be the manual, but the eight-speed auto works exceptionally well in both the normal driving mode or under the driver's control via the paddle shifters. In fact, our testing revealed that the 428i with the lightning-quick automatic transmission was quicker from zero to 60 mph than the more powerful 435i with the six-speed manual. Not by much, but that shows just how proficient this new eight-speed is. One annoyance can be the gruff restart nature of the automatic engine stop-start function, though it can be disabled.
When the road bends, BMW has tuned the 4 Series to handle with more athleticism than the sedan. The car rides a little lower, the front and rear tracks are a bit wider, the suspension is firmer and the steering has more heft and precision to it. These are incremental changes to be sure, but they work. Driven through a turn with the Sport mode selected, the 4 Series is marvelously balanced for a luxury sport coupe and easily instills driver confidence. Some might find the ride quality overly firm, but opting for the driver-selectable adaptive suspension nearly erases road imperfections while further boosting the car's stability.
LIGHTWEIGHT & AERODYNAMICS
The new BMW 4-Series Coupe's intelligent lightweight construction concept makes a significant contribution to the car's dynamic qualities. The use of high- and ultra-high-strength multi-phase steels and tailored blanks maximises the body's strength, without driving up the weight. Components which are central to rigidity are made from micro-alloyed steels. The body's front end is 60 per cent more rigid than that of the outgoing BMW 3-Series Coupe and so has benefits beyond agility and steering precision alone. Most impressively, the new BMW 4-Series Coupe tips the scales at up to 45 kg less than its predecessor, depending on the engine and equipment specified, despite having grown significantly in terms of dimensions.
The new BMW 4-Series Coupe highlights its aerodynamic qualities with a Cd (drag coefficient) of 0.28. Optimisation measures carried out at the front apron and the rear of the car have earned the two-seater a lift coefficient to match the sporting figures of the current BMW M3 Coupe. Another factor here is the design of the underbody: the aerodynamically optimised structure incorporates smooth panels extending to the sides, under the engine compartment shield and around the front section of the exhaust tunnel. Together, they seal the underbody to an unprecedented degree.
ON THE ROAD
The 8-speed transmission works flawlessly and is quickly becoming a favorite among MSN Autos staffers. It seems to know what gear you need before you even think of hitting the gas. We're not ready to give up on manuals yet, but this makes a strong case for the future of automatics.
When really flogging it down back roads that have any kind of texture, we found Comfort a better setting for the suspension than Sport, which is just too stiff to optimize grip. On a glasslike surface its performance is preferable, but on some real-world roads it's simply too much. And we know we sound like a broken record, but electric power steering still isn't there, yet. The Servotronic system in the 4-Series Coupe is as accurate as any, and the electrically simulated weight can be adjusted, but you just don't know what the wheels are doing. Good thing there are advanced electronics to do all the "feeling."
The 13-inch brakes on our 428i test vehicle provided drama-free decelerations, and the aluminum front calipers help reduce unsprung weight. The 435i receives slightly larger 13.4-inch rotors to work with the increased power. Anti-lock braking, dynamic brake control and cornering brake control are all on hand to assist the driver in dicier braking situations.
For the power available, the fuel economy returns are quite good. The four-banger in the 428i gets an Environmental Protection Agency-rated 23 mpg city/35 mpg highway, while the more powerful 435i is close on its heels with a rating of 22/35 mpg. These surprising fuel economy numbers are no doubt aided by BMW's Eco Pro driving mode, which cuts fuel consumption by almost 20 percent.
COMFORT & QUALITY
Let's get it out of the way: no, the 4-Series doesn't have a very useful or comfortable back seat, not if you're in your second decade on the planet or in anything beyond a size medium. If you're lucky enough to be riding up front--or driving--it's an entirely different story.
The 4-Series might have a lot in common with the 3-Series sedan, in terms of engines and powertrains transmissions, but it doesn't use its identical wheelbase or overall length to impart as much interior space. It's the same 110.6-inch wheelbase, and overall length of 182.5 inches, but the 4-Series also has a roofline two inches lower, while it's also a half-inch wider than the 3-Series sedan.
You sit quite low in the 4-Series, and grip a steering wheel that's as thick as any SUV's wheel; you'll learn to love the seatbelt presenter because reaching for the belt every time would lead to rotator-cuff problems down the road. Even the front base seats are firm and comfortable--the kind we'd approve of for daily use as desk chairs--but they don't have as many adjustments or the very firm bolstering of the excellent sport seats offered on the M Sport package. Those seats grip in all the right places for the kind of sporty driving the 4-Series encourages; heating and ventilation are a part of the deal.
Though it's three inches wider across the rear axle, the 4-Series still doesn't net out with much adult-sized space in the back seat, and in a tight garage its long doors don't make entry or exit very easy. It's be hard to justify the 4-Series as a four-seater on a regular basis, but the rear buckets are fine for shorter people on shorter trips.
Trunk space is almost the size of a mid-size sedan, though, and storage in the cabin is a brighter spot than ever, with real cupholders ahead of the joystick-style shifter and a decently-sized glove box, even some bottle holders molded into the door panels.
The base models, with basic black interiors, can seem drab and dark--and they amplify the 4-Series' sweeping dash curves in an unflattering way. Go all in with the luxury touches, though, and the coupe's interior gets the sophisticated allure of the bigger 6-Series, with handsome leather and contrasting stitching, some daring colors and some very pretty wood and metal finishes. BMW's wide, beautiful LCD screen displays crisp maps and iDrive functions, but it's also propped up the dash like a digital picture frame, something it has in common with the Mercedes CLA. Audi's A3 has a better idea: make a slide-away screen standard.
ENGINE
► Elite athlete: six-cylinder in-line engine for the BMW 435i Coupe
The new BMW 435i Coupe gives full value to performance-minded drivers thanks to a straight-six petrol engine that impresses with instantaneous power delivery, the thirst for revs you would expect from BMW, outstanding refinement and exceptional efficiency. Equipped with High Precision Direct Injection and Valvetronic fully variable valve control, the 3.0-litre engine with aluminium crankcase develops maximum output of 225 kW/306 hp between 5,800 and 6,000 rpm. Peak torque of 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) is generated as low down as 1,200 rpm and remains on tap up to 5,000 rpm. The promise of pure dynamics contained within those figures is made true out on the road.
The sporting performance characteristics of the potent six-cylinder power unit allow it to accelerate the new BMW 435i Coupe from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.4 seconds (a mere 4.9 seconds with xDrive) on the way to an electronically limited 250 km/h (155 mph) top speed. The six-cylinder unit belies its impressive performance with extremely low fuel consumption and emissions figures. Average fuel consumption is between 7.9 and 8.1 litres per 100 kilometres (35.8 - 34.9 mpg imp) and CO2 emissions range from 185 to 189 grams per kilometre (EU test cycle, depending on the tyre format specified). And the new BMW 435i Coupe is even more economical when fitted with the optional eight-speed Sports automatic gearbox. Here, the flagship 4-Series Coupe achieves combined fuel consumption of just 7.3 - 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres (38.7 - 38.2 mpg imp), while CO2 emissions are pinned to between 169 and 172 grams per kilometre.
► Low in weight, high on performance: the four-cylinder engine for the BMW 428i Coupe
Spirited power delivery, impressive torque, high maximum revs and low weight are the key qualities of the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, which fits in seamlessly with the dynamic concept of the new BMW 4-Series Coupe. Here again, BMW's technology package - including High Precision Direct Injection, twin-scroll turbocharging, Double-Vanos variable camshaft control and Valvetronic fully variable valve control - lays on impressive performance potential combined with low fuel consumption and emissions.
The cutting-edge, four-cylinder petrol engine generates maximum output of 180 kW/245 hp at 5,000 - 6,500 rpm and peak torque of 350 Nm (258 lb-ft), which the driver can access between 1,250 and 4,800 rpm. The new BMW 428i Coupe harnesses these sporty performance attributes to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.9 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). The engine translates each dab of the accelerator into forward propulsion instantaneously and conjures up compelling power delivery from the moment it spins above idle all the way into the upper regions of its engine speed range along an almost linear curve. The average fuel consumption of the BMW 428i Coupe in the EU test cycle stands at just 6.6 - 6.7 litres per 100 kilometres (42.8 - 42.2 mpg imp), and CO2 emissions of 154 - 156 grams per kilometre (depending on the tyre format specified) are similarly low. The optional eight-speed Sports automatic gearbox also opens up further potential for fuel savings in the BMW 428i Coupe; combined fuel consumption of between 6.3 and 6.4 litres per 100 kilometres (44.8 - 44.1 mpg imp) and CO2 emissions of 147 - 149 grams per 100 kilometres represent a compelling proposition.
► Powerful and efficient: the four-cylinder diesel engine in the BMW 420d Coupe
It is a number of years now since BMW first proved that diesel engines can make an extremely attractive choice of power source for coupes as well. Today, this is a widely recognised truth and diesel engines in no way conflict with the sporting aspirations of this breed of car. The new BMW 420d Coupe sees the latest-generation four-cylinder diesel engine put forward another compelling case with its imposing torque, exceptional refinement and outstanding efficiency - achieved without impinging on the car's involving driving experience. This state-of-the-art diesel unit with composite aluminium crankcase sets a variety of benchmarks. The latest-generation common rail direct injection technology, turbocharger with variable turbine geometry and precise solenoid valve injectors ensure instantaneous throttle response and impressive punch, combined with extremely low fuel consumption and emissions.
With maximum output of 135 kW/184 hp at 4,000 rpm and peak torque reaching 380 Nm (280 lb-ft) between 1,750 and 2,750 rpm, the new BMW 420d Coupe displays an extremely dynamic turn of pace. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) is dealt with in just 7.5 seconds and the agile diesel can accelerate up to 240 km/h (149 mph) if required. Average fuel consumption of 4.7 - 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres (60.1 - 58.9 mpg imp) and CO2 emissions between 124 and 126 grams per kilometre (EU test cycle, depending on the tyre format specified) complete the profile of the new BMW 420d Coupe as a powerful and efficient athlete equipped with one of the cleanest and most economical diesel engines in its class.
BRAKE & SUSPENSION
The M Sport suspension included as part of the M Sport package can also be ordered separately. It works with a firmer spring/damper set-up and stiffer anti-roll bars, and its kinematics/elastokinematics have also been tweaked to suit the new BMW 4-Series Coupe. M Sport suspension also includes 18-inch or (optionally) 19-inch M light-alloy wheels. Alternatively, customers may prefer to specify lowered, adaptive suspension - with its focused sporting set-up and electronically controlled dampers - which adjusts the damper mapping to the road surface and driving situation at hand.
The driver can also use the Driving Experience Control switch to vary the basic suspension settings between the more comfortable and the sportier ends of the scale, according to personal preference. For performance-minded customers, BMW offers the M Sport brakes. The team of aluminium fixed callipers (four-piston at the front, two-piston at the rear) and generously sized discs combine extremely low weight with very short stopping distances.
In keeping with its dynamic performance capability, the new BMW 4-Series Coupe comes equipped with powerful swing-calliper or fixed-calliper brakes and large, inner-vented brake discs. The callipers on the front axle are made from aluminium. As well as boasting low unsprung masses, the brakes also stand out with their outstanding heat tolerance, excellent wet braking performance, ease of use and excellent feel. A brake pad wear indicator and the Brake Drying function are standard on all models.
SAFETY
Every 2014 BMW 4 Series comes standard with antilock brakes, traction and stability control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags, front knee airbags and rollover protection (convertible). Simulated panic stops from 60 mph at our test track demonstrated excellent brakes, with stops between 110 and 113 feet for the coupe on summer tires.
The stability control system integrates several features designed to improve braking performance, such as periodically wiping the brake rotors dry when the windshield wipers are in use and automatically snugging the pads to the rotors when the driver abruptly lifts off the throttle. BMW Assist emergency communications is standard and includes automatic crash notification, stolen vehicle recovery and on-demand roadside assistance. A visit to the options list will provide parking sensors (front and rear), a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, a lane departure warning system and an automated parking system.
FUEL ECONOMY
Luxury sports coupes aren't always the best choices for drivers concerned with gas mileage, but the BMW 4-Series takes extensive measures to make fuel economy less of an issue.
BMW outfits every model with stop/start and an EcoPro mode, which slows down the throttle tip-in and softens automatic-transmission shifts, as well as shutting down some of the constantly running accessories and climate control systems, all in the name of saving fuel. It also has electric power steering, which reduces feedback, but also reduces gas consumption. And it's lost a little weight, too: it's up to almost a hundred pounds lighter than the 3-Series Coupe it replaces.
The result is a 27-mile-per-gallon rating on the EPA's combined cycle for the base 428i equipped with the eight-speed automatic; with the six-speed manual, the 4-Series still earns 26 mpg combined. Adding all-wheel drive to the automatic puts the 428xi at 26 mpg combined.
Gas mileage isn't even that awful with the very powerful twin-turbocharged six-cylinder. The 435i with the automatic earns an EPA-certified 25 mpg combined, or 24 mpg combined with all-wheel drive. With the manual transmission and either rear- or all-wheel drive, the 4er posts a 23-mpg combined rating.
Though there's an ActiveHybrid edition of the 3-Series sedan, it's not expected to make an appearance in the 4-Series lineup any time soon.
VIDEO ( 2014 BMW 4-SERIES )
Video by : Motortrend
SEE ALL PHOTOS
By : Automotive News & Super Modified Sports Cars
Posted by : Shahen Tharammal
