BMW 4-Series Convertible (2018)

Stunning LED light arrangement with a sharper gaze

Twin headlights help ensure the front end of the BMW 4-Series models sticks to the traditional BMW template. The BMW 4-Series Coupe, BMW 4-Series Convertible and BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe are now equipped with new bi-LED headlights as standard. The headlights are composed of a familiar silhouette: flat-bottomed headlight tubes encircled by daytime running light rings and a dynamic cropped look produced by the characteristic "eyebrow" design. The tubes' dark-coloured holders give the interior of the headlight assemblies a clear, cool look with winsome technical appeal. LED front foglamps also form part of standard specification.

All models in the new BMW 4-Series are now optionally available with a standout feature in the form of adaptive full-LED headlights, whose highly expressive light arrangement intensifies the front end's dynamic and technically advanced appearance. The familiar layout with twin circular headlights has been incorporated into a hexagonal setting that creates an even greater sense of precision and sophistication than standard trim. The headlights have been deliberately designed to make the space-saving technology in the headlight tubes clearly visible. The headlight units are cropped off slightly at the top by the LED indicators that form the headlights' "eyebrows". This has the effect of making the light arrangement seem wider still, which in turn gives the new BMW 4-Series models an even more powerful stance on the road.

New styling touches set the tone for the rear end

The rear of the BMW 4-Series has a low, sporty look that follows the lead of the front-end styling. The bold horizontal lines and elongated design of the rear light clusters help to make the muscular wheel arches stand out. The widest point of the BMW 4-Series body is on a level with the rear wheels. The new rear apron further accentuates the general impression of power.

The modified positioning of the reflectors higher up at the vehicle's tail makes it appear lower to the eye. The shape of the strip that joins the reflectors on the Sport Line and Luxury Line model versions is also new. Underneath it, there is a crisp contour line that mirrors the outline of the outer air intakes at the front of the car, thereby neatly integrating its rear into the overall design language.

The redesigned rear lights give the new BMW 4-Series a fresh and technically sophisticated appearance from the rear. The characteristic L-shaped styling theme for the lights has been retained but in a reinterpreted form. The full- LED lights are no longer divided into individual light strips, with a sweeping curve in the outer section of the light assemblies giving them a perfectly homogenous look. The LED bars that taper towards the centre of the vehicle take their cue from the styling of the optional full-LED headlights. The indicators now take up a larger area of the lights, with the inner section of each rear light also being used for the indicator function for the first time. The indicators therefore emphasise the impression of width at the rear for an even sportier feel.

Interior and equipment

Moving inside the new BMW 4-Series, an array of upgraded details add to the cabin's exclusive, high-quality feel. The surrounds for the air outlets and the control panels in the doors now include electroplated inserts, for instance. Plus, the switch for the hardtop roof in the BMW 4-Series Convertible and the integral belt guides for its front seats also have an electroplated finish.

The air conditioning and audio controls in the BMW 4-Series models are now bordered by chrome applications. Besides this, the centre console makes an even more elegant impression thanks to its high-gloss black cover panel, while double stitching on the instrument panel accentuates the interior's driver-focused geometry. The sports steering wheel fitted as standard in the BMW 4-Series features a new rim wrapped in high-quality leather whose modified lining offers the driver an even better grip.

There are now more options to choose from for the interior styling. Indeed, BMW has added Midnight Blue Dakota leather, Cognac Dakota leather and Ivory White Dakota leather to the range, which means a total of three new, very elegant upholstery colours complete with coordinated contrast stitching and piping can now be ordered. New choices for the interior trim strips, meanwhile, include Carbon Aluminium, Light Fineline and High-gloss Black with Pearl Chrome accent strip.

In addition to Advantage specification, the BMW 4-Series can be ordered in Sport Line, Luxury Line and M Sport variants. Customers also have a far greater number of possibilities open to them when configuring their car to their personal tastes, as more options can now be combined freely with one another than before.

New light-alloy wheels and striking exterior paint finishes

BMW is offering a wider choice of 18 and 19-inch light-alloy wheels exclusive to the new 4-Series: with four new designs in all, there is even greater scope for customising the sporty, elegant exterior of the BMW 4-Series. There is one new wheel design each for the Advantage, Luxury Line, Sport Line and M Sport variants, and these new light-alloy wheels are reserved for the BMW 4-Series models only.

Exclusive new exterior paint finishes have also been added to the selection. Snapper Rocks Blue is a new shade of turquoise that projects an aura of youthful vigour and intense sportiness. And also new is Sunset Orange - a bold, orangey-red colour. The dramatic interplay between hues of orange and red instils the BMW 4-Series with an extremely sophisticated and sporty air. These two colours are likewise only available for the new BMW 4-Series models.

Driving dynamics

The driving experience in all BMW 4-Series models is rooted in a fine blend of sharp sporting performance and superb ride comfort. The BMW 4-Series has a lower centre of gravity than the BMW 3-Series (Coupe: -40 mm, Gran Coupe: -30 mm, Convertible: -20 mm), a wider track at the front (+14 mm) and rear (+22 mm), plus specially configured kinematics, giving it all the ingredients needed for even more agile handling.

Stiffer suspension and an upgraded steering set-up

By revising the 4-Series' suspension, the BMW engineers have greatly enhanced the cars' dynamic handling capabilities without compromising on their impressive ride comfort.

The new BMW 4-Series Coupe and new BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe both now come with stiffer suspension featuring more advanced damping technology and an upgraded steering set-up. These measures have resulted in a tangible improvement in both lateral and longitudinal handling properties, regardless of the load on board. The upshot is reduced roll, more neutral responses when driving at the limit, even greater straight-line stability and the wonderfully precise steering for which BMW is renowned. This applies to the standard suspension, as well as the M Sport suspension and Adaptive suspension.

The new BMW 4-Series Convertible now also offers superior straight-line stability and steering characteristics. The harmonious and extremely agile nature of the outgoing cars' suspension tuning meant there was no need for more extensive performance-enhancing modifications.

High-performance tyres can be optionally fitted on all model variants from the BMW 430d and BMW 430i upwards. These tyres have been specially designed to cater to the needs of drivers with extremely sporty inclinations.

BMW EfficientDynamics

All of the petrol engines and the four-cylinder diesel units offered for the new BMW 4-Series hail from the latest BMW EfficientDynamics family and are equipped with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology.

All new BMW 4-Series models are available with three petrol engines offering the following power ratings: the 420i with 135 kW / 184 hp, the 430i with 185 kW / 252 hp and the top-of-the-range 440i with 240 kW / 326 hp (fuel consumption combined: 7.9 - 5.5 l/100 km [35.8 - 51.4 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 185 - 127 g/km).

There is also a choice of three diesel engines: the 420d with 140 kW / 190 hp, 430d with 190 kW / 258 hp and 435d xDrive with 230 kW / 313 hp (fuel consumption combined: 5.9 - 4.0 l/100 km [47.9 - 70.6 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 155 - 106 g/km).

The BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe is also available with another diesel engine variant, the 418d, whose four-cylinder in-line engine has an output of 110 kW / 150 hp (fuel consumption combined: 4.5 - 4.1 l/100 km [62.8 - 68.9 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 118 - 107 g/km).

Depending on the particular model, the BMW 4-Series Coupe, BMW 4-Series Convertible and BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe can be specified with a choice of six-speed manual gearbox or the eight-speed Steptronic transmission, which is already fitted as standard on the BMW 430i xDrive, BMW 430d / BMW 430d xDrive, BMW 435d xDrive, BMW 440i Convertible / BMW 440i xDrive Convertible and BMW 440i Gran Coupe / BMW 440i xDrive Gran Coupe.

Intelligent all-wheel drive for optimum transmission of drive power

All petrol models in the new BMW 4-Series (with the exception of the BMW 420i Convertible), plus the BMW 420d Coupe / BMW 420d Gran Coupe and BMW 430d Coupe / BMW 430d Gran Coupe diesel models, can be specified with the optional BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive system instead of classical rear-wheel drive.

BMW xDrive technology already comes as standard on the BMW 4-Series Coupe, BMW 4-Series Convertible and BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe in 435d form.

Besides the inherent benefits of all-wheel drive - such as optimum transmission of power to the road, supreme handling safety and unbeatable grip, e.g. in wintry conditions - BMW xDrive also serves to reduce understeer and oversteer through bends, resulting in more dynamic cornering properties.

Navigation, telephony and user interface

BMW has included new, convenience-enhancing features for the navigation systems, telephony and display and control concept in the BMW 4-Series.

New menu layout for the central information display

The optional Navigation system Professional for the BMW 4-Series includes a new user interface with six large tile-style icons distributed over two screen pages. Drivers can arrange the tiles as they please, allowing them to move the menus they use most to the main screen. These control pads provide direct access to the relevant functions as well as a live display of the linked content. The pad for the entertainment programme, for example, shows the song that's currently playing complete with album artwork, while the route the vehicle is currently taking appears on the navigation pad. Once inside the menu, the next operating step is shown as a kind of preview. This all combines to make the system enjoyable and intuitive to use.

Multifunctional Instrument Display with graphics that vary according to the driving mode

BMW offers the Multifunctional Instrument Display as an option for the BMW 4-Series, which gives the driver the choice of different display options depending on the driving experience mode selected.

COMFORT mode brings a more classic display layout inspired by the traditional analogue instrument cluster. The standard displays therefore include speed, engine revs, a fuel gauge, engine oil temperature, the current fuel consumption and the gear selected.

If the super-efficient ECO PRO mode has been selected, the BMW EfficientDynamics technologies become the centre of attention. This means that the driver is notified of their current "bonus range" and brake energy regeneration performance, for example. And that helps them to adopt an extremely economical driving style.

When SPORT mode is engaged using the Driving Experience Control switch, the Multifunctional Instrument Display focuses on performance-related readouts, such as vehicle speed, engine revs or the engine's current output.

Inductive smartphone charging and WiFi hotspot

Compatible smartphones can be recharged in the BMW 4-Series without the need for cables by means of an optional inductive tray. The tray is located in the centre armrest and additionally establishes a wireless connection between the smartphone and the car's external aerial for improved telephone reception, particularly in areas with a weak signal. The optional ConnectedDrive navigation package also includes a WiFi hotspot - which provides high-speed in-car internet access for up to ten mobile devices - plus two USB ports in the centre console. Thanks to their current ratings of 2 amps each, both USB ports are also suitable for charging tablets.

Apple CarPlay is available as an option, allowing optimum integration of an Apple iPhone in the new BMW 4-Series models.

BMW Connected: the personalised digital mobility assistant

Connectivity between drivers, their cars and the outside world is becoming more and more advanced. The launch of BMW Connected in March 2016 saw BMW introduce an all-encompassing digital concept that provides a seamless support tool covering all aspects of personal mobility. Designed as a digital assistant in the form of an app, BMW Connected combines all the functions covering day-to-day mobility requirements. BMW Connected can be used in BMW models with ConnectedDrive Services specified. This feature comes as standard on the new BMW 4-Series models.