2020 BMW 4 Series lands in SA just in time for summer

Moving away from the F80’s sleek and athletic looks may be one of BMW’s more controversial moves in recent history. The debate of the front grille and its dimensions and whether it looks good or better with a number plate doesn’t matter, the fact of the matter is it’s here. It’s not all glum new though because I must say in the flesh its a striking design and it works, you may disagree, but after spending a brief period with one, we think its thoroughly impressive and shockingly impressive to drive and behold.

2020 BMW 4 Series: design and looks

he first generation 4-series was a wonderful thing, and the almost 800 000 units ( i would wager 70% of them are Estoril Blue) proved it was immensely popular with consumers. The option for a Grand Coupe, Convertable and more traditional Coupe meant the expansive range catered to many buyers and markets. The new model experiments with the even number Coupe controversial styling with the significant difference being the vast grilles and major changes to the front end design. Sleeker and smaller front headlights, the front bumper is eclipsed by the sheer enormity of the front end, and slivers of sporty styled bumper come together nicely to conceal the nose. The undeniable ability to grab attention is evident, and the sleek Coupe turns heads repeatedly with passers-by visibly taken aback by the facade. Sharing the G80 CLAR platform, the new G22 is 128mm longer and 27mm wider than the previous model. The ride height is lowered, and the track has been widened both front and rear compared to the outgoing model. At the rear the design is simple, and sleek, thin lights with a uniform LED light design, adding to the standout curb appeal of the vehicle. BMW offers the new 4 Series Coupe in standard and M Sport Package levels of trim. The M440i xDrive comes standard in M Sport trim. An M Performance launch edition will include extras such as M Sport suspension including the M Sport differential, anthracite roof lining, Shadow Line, Rear spoiler in body colour and 18-inch M light-alloy double-spoke style 848 M Bicolour wheels with run-flat tyres.

2020 BMW 4 Series: Range

At present only the coupe variant makes up the 4-Series range, with the Grand Coupe and Convertible set to arrive in Q1 of 2021 and the M4 Coupe towards the latter half of the year. The line-up kicks of with the 420i Coupe, powered by a 2.0-litre turbo petrol four-cylinder producing 135kW and 300Nm, driving the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic. The only diesel variant, for now, is the 420d and it features a 140kW and meaty 400 NM of torque via the same drive train configuration. The former petrol version will leap from 0-100 in 7.5seconds with the diesel shaving 0.3 of a second bring the acceleration up to 7.2second. Performance orientated buyers are treated to the M440i xDrive and its 275kW and 500Nm from the B58 3.0-litre single-turbo inline-six. With Launch control, this baby M car will sprint from 0-100 kph in 4.5 seconds.

2020 BMW 4-Series: Interior 

Styled after the standard 3-series, the more sporty focused model features a lower seating position and more aggressive front seating. The boot is rated at 440litre and should be enough for all your Golf bats and Cricket sticks. Standard throughout the range is BMW’s crisp digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 10.3-inch touch-enabled and voice-activated infotainment display.

2020 BMW 4-Series: Driving Dynamics 

Having sampled the XDrive M440i exclusively, it’s easy to say the 4-Series is a stonkingly good grand tourer. The ride is easily dialled back enough for our pimpled roads, yet provides more than enough sporty prowess for some extremely attentive driving. The shove is endless, and the speeds and how quickly the horizon and objects very far away come at you, it’s shocking. Driving the 4-Series hard seems effortless, and the comfort levels when doing so are thoroughly impressive, and the vehicle feels as elegant on the road as it looks.

2020 Bmw 4-Series: Verdict

The elephant in the room and its large nostrils make it hard to sell the BMW to everyone, but when you consider this is a vehicle not focused purely on numbers and the experimental element behind the Coupe variants means BMW could let it all hang out. It shows that BMW is damn good at the fast grand tourer and with a chassis this good its easy to see how the M4 in its Pure and RWD manual orientations will be.

2020 BMW 4-Series: Pricing 

420i Coupe R762 438 420d Coupe R807 316420i Coupe M Sport R807 838420d Coupe M Sport R852 716M440i xDrive Coupe R1 185 954