The start of a new era: 2017 BMW 4 Series Coupe
Introduced back in 2014, the all-new BMW 4 Series Coupe marked the beginning of a new era for coupes at BMW. Launched as the latest generation of BMW’s sporty mid-size Coupe, the new BMW 4 Series Coupe embodies the very essence of dynamics and aesthetic appeal in the premium segment. The “4” in its title headlines this new product line for the Coupe and emphasizes not only its stand-out design, but that any way you look at it, the new 4 Series Coupe represents something more than its BMW 3 Series cousins – 3+1, if you will. At the same time, as a true BMW Coupe, the new nomenclature brings the new BMW 4 Series Coupe in line with the larger 6 Series and 8 Series Coupes.
The new BMW 4 Series Coupe is visibly larger in width and wheelbase than the outgoing BMW 3 Series Coupe, and its stretched silhouette sits considerably lower to the road. This, together with its BMW-typical short overhangs, long hood and set-back passenger compartment with flowing roofline, give the BMW 4 Series Coupe a visual balance. The car’s striking front end – with its characteristic BMW design features, such as the double-kidney grille, four round headlights and a large air intake in the front apron – is keen to display its family ties with the BMW 3 Series. New elements of the BMW 4 Series Coupe are the Air Breathers, which are positioned rearwards of the front wheel arches to reduce drag. The Coupe’s muscular wheel arches and wide track give an aggressive stance, with its prominent horizontal lines.
For 2017, the BMW 4 Series coupe is available in 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i and 440i xDrive trim levels. Engine choices include the TwinPower Turbo 2.0L four-cylinder (430i) and the Twin Power Turbo 3.0L inline six-cylinder (440i). Both engines are joined to an eight-speed sport automatic transmission. BMW’s intelligent all-wheel drive system , xDrive, is an available option for both engines.
The new BMW 4 Series Coupe benefits from BMW’s customary approach of splitting steering and drive forces between the front and rear axles, which is the ideal platform for balanced driving characteristics, directional stability and agile handling. It also has a 50:50 weight distribution. The chassis construction of the new BMW 4 Series Coupe is based on that of the latest BMW 3 Series Sedan, although its springs and damping, axle kinematics and elastokinematics have all been tailored precisely to the engaging character of the new Coupe.
The chassis engineers have managed to make further improvements to the agility and accuracy offered by the chassis, thanks to modification and fine-tuning of variables such as the camber angle, the track and the roll center. Particular attention was paid to strengthening the front section of the car help to further enhance steering precision and feedback.
The front suspension of the new BMW 4 Series Coupe combines maximum stiffness with minimum weight. Aluminum torque struts, wishbones and swivel bearings bring a reduction in unsprung weight. At the same time, the engineers optimized the kinematics of the double-pivot suspension for agility and precision. Adjusting the position of the control arms in the swivel bearings from their arrangement on the latest BMW 3 Series Sedan gives the car a .7-inch lower roll center, which has a positive effect on driving performance. An additional strut between the front axle subframe and body sill creates a stiffer overall connection between the front wheels and the car’s main structure, so the transverse forces generated on entry into corners are transferred to the car more directly.
The rear axle of the new BMW 4 Series Coupe is a key component in its driving characteristics, but that does not mean comfort has been overlooked. This construction is based on the five-link concept, and its elastokinematics have been tuned specially for this sports coupe. In addition, extra-wide mounts and supports on the wheel carriers for track and camber, slightly repositioned pivot points, stiff control arms and suspension subframes, and the use of thrust arms to connect the suspension with the body all provide an excellent basis for an extremely sporty and dynamically exceptional overall set-up. The result is precise and assured wheel location, directional stability in any driving situation. Aerodynamic features around the rear suspension also contribute to driving precision.
Inside the passenger cabin, the interior of the BMW 4 Series Coupe presents a combination of sporty allure and exclusivity. All the controls central to driving are arranged ergonomically around the driver ensuring comfortable access to all functions. In the rear compartment, contoured seats continue the sporty theme of the BMW 4 Series Coupe. Recessed head restraints and broad, continuously molded side supports give the rear bench the appearance of two individual seats. High-grade material combinations and finish quality accentuate the premium feel of the new BMW 4 Series Coupe. Customers can choose the Sport or Luxury Lines as alternatives to standard specification. M Sport is another alternative. All three allow visible individualization of the car’s exterior and interior appearance.
Dimensions & specifications
Wheelbase: 110.6; overall length: 182.6; width: 71.9; height: 54.2
All vehicle measurements are in inches.
Engine: 2.0L four-cylinder turbo – 248 hp at 5200 rpm and 258 lbs-ft of torque at 1450-4800 rpm; 3.0L six-cylinder turbo – 320 hp at 5500 rpm and 330 lbs-ft of torque at 1380-5000 rpm
Transmission: six-speed manual, eight-speed automatic
EPA Fuel Economy: 2.0L four-cylinder turbo – 23 city/34 hwy. (automatic), 23 city/33 hwy. (AWD); 3.0L six-cylinder turbo – 21 city/32 hwy. (automatic), 21 city/31 hwy. (AWD).
Cargo capacity: 15.7 cubic feet
Safety features
Dual front airbags, front seat mounted side impact airbags, dual head curtain side-impact airbags, dual front seat knee airbags, four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock, dynamic brake control, cornering brake control, brake fade compensation, start-off assistant, brake drying, brake stand-by, dynamic traction control, dynamic stability control, Xenon high intensity discharge (HID) adaptive headlights, front fog lights, programmable LED daytime running lights, automatic headlight control, rain sensing windshield wipers, Bluetooth hands free phone system, BMW assist eCall, push-button engine start, universal garage door opener, adaptive brake lights, central locking system, alarm system, and tire pressure monitoring system.
Optional safety features include: park distance control, rearview camera, adaptive full LED headlights, automatic high beam headlights, active driving assistant, active blind spot detection, side and top view camera, speed limit information, head-up display and navigation system.
Warranty
Basic: 4-year/50,000 miles
Corrosion: 12-year/unlimited
Roadside Assistance: 4-year/unlimited 24-hour
Pricing
The base Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the 2017 BMW $ Series coupe starts from $42,150 for the 430i upto $50,500 for the 440i xDrive. Destination charges add $995.
