BMW Announces the Second Generation 4 Series

BMW M440i xDrive | BMW M440i xDrive

BMW Announces the Second Generation 4 Series

BMW has completely redesigned the "4 Series Coupe." Alongside the new model, they also announced the M Performance model "M440i xDrive," based on the 4 Series.

Text by YANAKA Tomomi

Kidney Grille Redesigned Vertically, Unlike the 3 Series

The 4 Series, born as a derivative of the BMW 3 Series in 2013, has now evolved into its second generation with a bold facelift.

BMW Announces the Second Generation 4 Series | BMW

The exterior features a vertical kidney grille, a departure from the 3 Series, echoing the iconic BMW "328" of the 1930s and models like the "1600" and "2002" from the 1960s. This design choice imparts a sportiness and elegance distinct from the 3 Series.

The rear features BMW's traditional L-shaped combination lights, now with organic curves, and the area around the lights is blacked out.

The powertrain is a 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder turbo gasoline engine producing a maximum output of 135 kW (184 hp) and 300 Nm of torque. To achieve dynamic driving, the suspension mounting points and underframe have been reinforced, and a high-rigidity body has been adopted. This contributes to enhanced roll rigidity, sporty handling, and safety performance in collisions.

Furthermore, by using aluminum not only for the hood but also for the engine carrier and its connection points (engine mounts), the car achieves both increased body rigidity and weight reduction, two seemingly conflicting requirements.

The safety and driver assistance systems include standard "Driving Assistant Plus," equipped with a high-performance tri-camera, radar, and processor. Features like "Traffic Jam Assistant with Hands-Off Function," allowing for hands-free driving in traffic jams, and "Active Cruise Control" are also available.

Additional standard safety features include the "Lane Change Warning" system, acceleration suppression for unintended pedal application, collision avoidance and mitigation braking, and parking assistant. The car also supports unlocking and starting the engine using an iPhone.

Inside, the "Intelligent Personal Assistant" utilizes AI technology, enabling vehicle operation and access to information through voice commands alone.

Meanwhile, the M Performance model "M440i xDrive," which enhances driving performance with technology honed on the circuit, is equipped with a 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder turbo engine producing 285 kW (387 hp) and 500 Nm of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 4.5 seconds. Additionally, BMW's "xDrive" all-wheel-drive system, M adaptive suspension, and M differential ensure stable control and sporty driving even on rough roads.

The exterior features Cerium Grey accents on the kidney grille and air intakes, exclusive to M Performance models, creating a presence and individuality befitting a high-performance vehicle. The trunk lid is equipped with an M rear spoiler to enhance aerodynamics and improve stability during high-speed driving.

The price for the 4 Series starts at 5.77 million yen for the "420i" and 6.32 million yen for the "420i M Sport." The M Performance model "M440i xDrive" is priced at 10.25 million yen.