The facelifted BMW 4 Series (Life Cycle Impulse, or
LCI) has gone on sale in Malaysia, having been teased yesterday. For now, the
revised 4er is available solely in two-door coupé form, with the range
consisting of the 420i Sport and 430i M Sport, as well as the high-performance
M4.
With the discontinuation of the standard 420i,
prices now start at RM 338,800 for the 420i Sport, RM 21,000 more than before.
Meanwhile, the 430i M Sport retails at RM 408,800 while
the M4 is now RM12,000 more expensive at RM 760,800. All prices are on-the-road
without insurance, inclusive of a five-year warranty, five years’ free
scheduled service and a two-year tyre warranty.
All models get new LED head-
and tail lights as standard, with the M4 receiving adaptive LED headlights with
new hexagonal “corona ring” daytime running lights. The 420i Sport also gains
new front air intake surrounds and a redesigned rear bumper, as well as a new
Snapper Rocks Blue paint option.
Inside, there are now electroplated and chrome
highlights in certain areas, a gloss black surround for the climate and audio
controls, a sliding cupholder cover and a new high-quality leather wrap on the
standard sport steering wheel for better grip; there’s also double stitching on
the upper dashboard. The iDrive system also now features a tiled interface (NBT
Evo ID6) as seen on the G30 5 Series.
Equipment count on the 420i Sport has been given a
bit of a boost, now coming with 19-inch style 407 star-spoke two-tone alloy
wheels (an inch larger than before) and a reverse camera. This goes on top of
the existing standard kit which includes dual-zone auto climate control,
powered front sports seats with driver’s memory, front and rear parking sensors
and a nine-speaker 205-watt HiFi loudspeaker system.
The 430i M Sport also gets larger alloys (19-inch M
style 407 double-spoke items), plus additional items including Comfort Access
keyless entry, an electric sunblind for the rear windscreen, adaptive M Sport
suspension and the Professional navigation system with a larger 8.8-inch
display.
Also thrown in is the BMW Concierge Service suite
that the 420i does not get. Meanwhile, the M4 gets the same kit as before, such
as 19-inch M style 437 double-spoke alloy wheels, a head-up display, a
16-speaker 600-watt Harman Kardon surround sound system and the high-beam
assistant.
Under the skin, the 4 Series now receives a stiffer
suspension setup that is aimed at providing a sportier drive without
compromising ride comfort. Lateral and longitudinal dynamics have been improved
on both standard and adaptive suspension systems, irrespective of load. All
models also now feature greater straight-line stability and more communicative
steering.
The model range remain the same as before, given
that new engines from the 3 Series LCI were introduced last year. The 420i’s
2.0 litre turbo petrol four-cylinder engine produces 184 hp and 270 Nm of
torque, while the 430i boosts output to 252 hp and 350 Nm. An eight-speed ZF
automatic transmission (the 430i gets the Sport version) sends power to the
rear wheels.
At the other end of the spectrum is the M4’s 3.0
litre twin-turbo straight six, producing an unchanged 431 hp and 550 Nm. Aside
from the seven-speed M dual-clutch transmission (DCT), it also gets an Active M
Differential, M Dynamic Mode, M Servotronic electromechanical steering, M
compound brakes and adaptive M suspension.