Tag Archives: BMW 4-Series

2021 BMW 4-Series Convertible Will Be An AU$90k Affair Down Under

The new generation BMW 4-Series Convertible will launch in Australia early next year with three powertrain options and a recommended starting price of AU$89,900 (US$68,437) for the base model, which is equipped with the M Sport Package as standard.

The range will kick off with the 420i, which uses a 135 kW (184 PS / 181 HP) and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder. Standard gear includes 19-inch wheels, front sports seats with heating, leather upholstery, three-zone climate control, head-up display, smartphone integration, wireless charging pad and digital radio.

Starting at AU$107,900 (US$82,140), the 430i Convertible also packs a 2.0-liter four-cylinder TwinPower Turbo engine, but with 190 kW (258 PS / 255 HP) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. It sprints from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 6.2 seconds (420i: 8.2 seconds) and comes with features like Adaptive M Suspension, M Sport Brakes, Comfort Access, Driving Assistant Professional and Parking Assistant Plus, including the Surround View with Top View and Side View.

Watch Also: Is The 2021 BMW M440i A Bit Too Soft For A Sports Coupe?

The range-topper is the M440i xDrive, which is powered by a 285 kW (387 PS / 382 HP) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) 3.0-liter straight-six TwinPower Turbo engine that enables it to hit the 100 km/h (62 mph) mark in 4.9 seconds. This variant features all-wheel drive system and an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters. Pricing starts at AU$135,900 (US$103,455) and it is equipped with grippy tires, M Sport differential, Cerium Grey accents for the grille, side mirror caps and tailpipes, ambient lighting, Air Collar and a Harman Kardon premium audio.

The Visibility Package, which is available for the 420i and 430i versions of the new 4-Series Convertible, adds ambient lighting and BMW Laserlight and costs AU$4,300 (US$3,273) when configured with the standard metallic paintwork or AU$5,900 (US$4,491) with the optional BMW Individual paint finish. The Comfort Package brings the Air Collar, Comfort Access and heated steering wheel for the 420i and is priced at AU$2,600 (US$1,979), while for the 430i it costs AU$1,700 (US$1,294). Exclusive to the entry-level model, the Driver’s Assistant Package costs AU$3,770 (US$2,870) and consists of Parking Assistant Plus, Driving Assistant Professional and tire pressure monitoring.

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Euro-spec model pictured

Is The 2021 BMW M440i A Bit Too Soft For A Sports Coupe?

There has been a lot of talk about the new 4-Series Coupe, most of which relates to its horrible controversial kidney grilles. However, there is a lot more to the car than its looks.

Sitting beneath the skin of the M440i featured in this review is the B58 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six that includes a mild-hybrid 48-volt starter-generator and pumps out 380 hp. Coupled to this engine is an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels courtesy of BMW’s xDrive AWD system.

Watch Also: 2021 BMW M440i xDrive Looks Odd And Feels Heavy

The M440i is essentially a coupe version of the M340i that TheStraightPipes have driven in the past. However, according to one of the presenters, it feels as though BMW has messed with the steering of the M440i, making it feel disconnected compared to the M340i, something that you may not expect from the sporty coupe variant. However, the second reviewer doesn’t share the same sentiment about the steering.

One thing both reviewers agreed on is the fact that the M440i is a very quick car and makes for an excellent daily driver thanks, in no small part, to the adaptive suspension that provides a great ride in all conditions and on all kinds of road surfaces.

For those that want more performance than the M440i provides, the latest BMW M4 is the way to go. While it also has a controversial front grille, it does promise to be an excellent sports car to drive and features a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six pumping out 473 hp and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) in standard guise and 503 hp and 479 lb-ft (650 Nm) in the Competition.

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