Gone are the days of a BMW 3 Series Convertible with two doors. Now, it’s up to the 4 Series to take the reigns and carry on as BMW’s two-door convertible. The all-new 4 Series Convertible was just recently announced by the German automaker, but it’s safe to say we all saw this coming. This new topless two-door is looking to set itself apart from its predecessor by offering a plethora of new technologies and an overall larger size.
The new-and-improved roof design creates more than just a fresh look, as it helps to craft a more spacious interior. This new design creates an elegant visual not only when the top is down, but also when the top is up – without a B column. Low and sporty seats also create more headroom when the top is up, as well as added legroom when compared to its predecessor. The three-piece retractable hardtop is fully lined and features soundproofing, as well as lamps, creating a silent and ambient enclosure when the top is up. When your surroundings are too serene and the weather is sublime, the three-piece hardtop can be stowed in only 20 seconds with the push of a button at speeds up to 11 mph. However, only a limited amount of space is taken up by the hardtop when in the trunk, leaving plenty of room for luggage.
As years pass, technology advances, and this is ever apparent in the 4 Series Convertible. New technology is abound, creating an unparalleled driving experience. When the top is down, the car’s climate is automatically controlled in relation to the outdoor temperature and the speed of the vehicle. Many technologies are included to ensure maximum fuel efficiency, such as the Auto Start Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration, the gear shift indicator and the Proactive Driving Assistant. To create a safer drive, BMW offers the Connected Drive product range, which includes options such as the full-color BMW Head-Up Display, the Driving Assistant, intelligent and glare-free LEG High Beam Assistant, Active Protection with Attentiveness and the Active Cruise Control with Stop and Go function.
As far as engines go, BMW is offering three engine options with the 4 Series Convertible. These include a six-cylinder engine for the BMW 435i Convertible, a four-cylinder engine in the BMW 428i Convertible and a four-cylinder diesel engine in the BMW 420d Convertible. Each features BMW’s TwinPower Turbo technology and power ranges from 184 hp to 306 hp. Mated to these engines is either the standard six-speed manual gearbox, or the optional eight-speed or eight-speed Sports automatic transmissions. Sophisticated chassis technology, torque-steer-free Electric Power Steering, 50:50 weight distribution, fine-tuning in the wind tunnel and a lightweight construction work with the drivetrain to create an ultimate driving machine.
Expect to see the 2014 BMW 4 Series Convertible in showrooms starting the first quarter of 2014. The 428i Convertible will have a $48,750 price tag, whereas the more powerful 435i Convertible will come in at $54,900. To read the entire press release, click the tab below.
The new BMW 4 Series Convertible heralds a new era in the premium mid-size range of open cars offered by BMW. The new design language introduced with the BMW 4 Series Coupe is even more evident in this second model of the series, enhancing the appearance of the BMW 4 Series Convertible while setting new standards in terms of dynamics, elegance and extraordinary driving pleasure – with the top up or down. In addition to having its own distinct design, the BMW 4 Series Convertible sets itself apart from its BMW 3 Series cousins through a number of distinguishing technical features.
The new BMW 4 Series Convertible is visibly larger in width, track and wheelbase than the BMW 3 Series Convertible.
The vehicle’s impeccable balance of proportions and characteristic flowing lines stem from the typical BMW short overhangs front and rear, the stretched bonnet and set-back passenger compartment. The striking BMW design features up front – such as the double-kidney grille, twin circular headlights and the large air intakes in the front apron – are keen to display this convertible’s family ties with the BMW 3 Series.
However, the dynamic convictions of the BMW 4 Series Convertible are expressed by elements such as the so-called Air Breathers positioned rearward of the front wheel arches. Together with the Air Curtains, these elements reduce turbulence and aerodynamic drag at the front wheels. The markedly flat design of the boot area at the rear underlines the flowing harmony of the overall vehicle silhouette. Horizontal lines and muscular wheel arches combine to accentuate the car’s wide track and rear-wheel drive concept.
Improved roof design and construction. Extra comfort. More functionality.
The design language of the new BMW 4 Series Convertible is reflected in the car’s unmistakable and elegant silhouette with balanced proportions when the top is down, and in the sleek look of the roofline – without a B column – when the hardtop is closed. The three-piece retractable hardtop of the BMW 4 Series Convertible is distinguished by advanced soundproofing with its “noise-absorbing” headliner, ensuring quietness and genuine passenger comfort under all weather conditions – even in winter. The interior roof is fully lined and features lamps that add to the ambience expected of a premium sport coupe. When the top is down and stored in the boot, the standard load and unload assistance function pivots the folded roof in the luggage compartment upwards to provide ample storage space and easy access. Thus even large and bulky items and luggage can be conveniently stowed when the top is down. The low and sporty seats ensure more headroom as well as added rear legroom in comparison to the predecessor model.
Individual equipment lines and exclusive details.
The interior of the BMW Series 4 Convertible presents a stylish fusion of sporty allure, elegance and exclusivity. All of the controls are arranged ergonomically around the driver to provide optimum access to all functions. The doors are designed so that all the lines converge towards the rear, and bright colour combinations featuring a two-tone effect for the door and side panels contribute in combination with the hardtop cover to the “boat deck” look. This wrap-around interior design provides for a seating ensemble that allows all passengers to share the open-sky driving experience.
The design of the seats is new and includes integrated seatbelts. The seats are electrically adjustable as standard. If desired, the standard seats and the optional sport seats with recessed head restraints can be equipped with neck warmers for the driver and front passenger, an optional extra available for the first time.
When the top is down, the temperature setting is automatically controlled in relation to the outdoor temperature and the speed of the vehicle.
In addition to the standard model, three specially equipped lines and an M Sport package are also available. The Sport Line, Modern Line and Luxury Line versions can be selected to personalise the new convertible with special interior and exterior accents. The fine materials and meticulous craftsmanship underline the premium ambience of the BMW 4 Series Convertible.
Driving dynamics from the top drawer.
In addition to the enjoyment of the unrivalled open-air driving experience at the push of a button, the BMW 4 Series Convertible also impresses with exhilarating performance and sovereign handling. BMW engineers have succeeded in making key improvements in areas such as steering accuracy, precision and agility. Sophisticated chassis technology, torque-steer-free Electric Power Steering, 50:50 weight distribution, a programme of fine-tuning in the wind tunnel and a lightweight construction concept enabled them to build an unadulterated driving machine. The sporty look of the convertible is evident in the longer wheelbase, wider track and standard lower suspension when compared with its predecessor model. Among many factors, the extremely low centre of gravity also accounts for the remarkable performance and handling of the new BMW 4 Series Convertible.
Two petrol engines and one diesel available at model launch.
At model launch the BMW 4 Series Convertible can be delivered with an in-line six-cylinder petrol engine (BMW 435i Convertible), a four-cylinder petrol engine (BMW 428i Convertible) and a four-cylinder diesel (BMW 420d Convertible). These engines cover the performance range from 135 kW/184 hp to 225 kW/306 hp and feature the latest BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. These state-of-the-art engines imbue the BMW 4 Series Convertible with outstanding acceleration and elasticity while intelligently reducing fuel consumption in compliance with the EU6 standard.
Six-speed manual, eight-speed automatic or eight-speed Sports automatic transmission.
The power from the engines is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox as standard. BMW also offers all engine variants with an optional eight-speed automatic transmission or an eight-speed Sports automatic transmission that allows the driver to change gears manually by using shift paddles on the steering wheel. All transmissions are equipped as standard with the Auto Start Stop function. And from the spring of 2014, intelligent four-wheel drive technology BMW xDrive will be available for the 428i Convertible.
BMW EfficientDynamics.
The sheer driving pleasure of the BMW 4 Series Convertible is accompanied by outstanding economy. The source of this low fuel consumption can be traced to BMW EfficientDynamics, with innovations that can be found throughout the new BMW 4 Series Convertible. In addition to the optimised fuel economy of the petrol and diesel engines, the intelligent lightweight construction concept and honed aerodynamics – headlined by the Air Curtains and Air Breathers – also help to maximise efficiency. Other features such as the Auto Start Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration, the gear shift indicator, on-demand operation of ancillary units and the innovative Proactive Driving Assistant all do their part to ensure low fuel consumption and reduced emissions, without compromising driving performance. The ECO PRO mode can even lead to fuel savings of 20 per cent. In conjunction with the automatic transmission, the new convertible – like the BMW 4 Series Coupe – also features a coasting mode for the first time.
BMW ConnectedDrive.
BMW was early in recognising the significance of connecting the automobile with its environment through intelligent networking technologies and thus is able to offer unique mobility services and driver assistance systems. These innovations are available from the Connected Drive product range as standard or optional equipment for the BMW 4 Series Convertible and, for a limited time, some can even be ordered after the initial vehicle purchase. With these innovations, the new BMW 4 Series Convertible is setting standards in terms of safety, convenience and infotainment. Among the highlights are a new generation of the Navigation System Professional, the full-colour BMW Head-Up Display, the Driving Assistant, which warns the driver of a potential collision with a pedestrian, the intelligent, glare-free LED High Beam Assistant, Active Protection with Attentiveness Assistant and the latest development stage of the Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function.
