BMW 4 Series (2020) Specs & Price

BMW has launched the controversially styled new 4 Series Coupe in South Africa. The local line-up features a blend of turbopetrol and -diesel engines, while the flagship M440i xDrive is the warm-up act to the mighty BMW M4.

BMW is determined to clearly differentiate the 4 Series from its 3 Series sibling and demonstrate that the former is not simply a 2-door version of the G20-generation sports executive sedan. To that end, the all-new G22 4 Series boasts radical styling – the exterior design was first previewed in Concept 4 form, but that grille is polarising. However, many of those who've seen the newcomer in the metal say "the snout" is strikingly effective!

BMW 4 Series (2020) International Prototype Drive

Under the skin is the CLAR (Cluster Architecture) and the newcomer features a wheelbase that's 42 mm longer than that of its predecessor (2 851 mm). The BMW 4 Series is also slightly longer and wider, as well as being 57 mm lower, than the 3 Series. It also has a sportier suspension setup.

BMW SA offers the new 4 Series Coupe in standard and M Sport Package levels of trim. The M440i xDrive comes standard in M Sport trim, but for those wanting more, there is an M Performance launch edition that will include extras such as M Sport suspension including the M Sport differential, anthracite roof lining, Shadow Line, Interior trim finishers in Aluminium Tetragon, M Aerodynamics package with front apron, side skirts and wheel arch trims in body colour, M Rear spoiler in body colour and 18-inch M light-alloy double-spoke style 848 M Bicolour/MT wheels with runflat tyres.

Inside, there's an M leather steering wheel and sport seats for driver and front passenger.

Powertrain and performance

BMW is offering its new 4 Series Coupe in 3 flavours. Kicking off the range is the 420i, which comes to market with a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol motor. It produces 135 kW and 300 Nm, and BMW says its good for a 0-100 kph in 7.5 sec.

For the turbodiesel fans, a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder forced-induction diesel motor propels the 420d and it produces peak outputs of 140 kW and 400 Nm. Gone are the days when diesel vehicles were slow – the diesel-powered 420d outsprints its 420i sibling, with a claimed time of 7.2 sec.

Finally, the M440i xDrive (the flagship of the range until the M4 Competition arrives next year) has a 3.0-litre turbocharged 6-cylinder motor with 275 kW and 500 Nm. Thanks to its standard all-wheel drivetrain, it boasts a claimed 0-100 kph time of 4.5 seconds.

When it comes to efficiency, BMW claims average fuel consumption figures of 6.4 L/100 km, 4.8 L/100 km and 7.8 L/100 km for its 420i, 420d and M440i xDrive derivatives respectively. All models have 8-speed automatic transmissions.