The New BMW 4-Series Is Here And We're Already Used To The Big Face

BMW has released the all-new 4-series, and yes, it has pretty much the same gigantic as the concept. But we're already getting used to it...
The New BMW 4-Series Is Here And We're Already Used To The Big Face

Habituation, they call it. Given enough exposure to a certain stimulus, something once attention-grabbing become more mundane and less likely to shock. Like the BMW 4-series.

Much of the motoring world looked on in horror when BMW launched the giant-grilled Concept 4, promising that it was 85 per cent production ready. But now the showroom-ready version is here, after numerous spy shots, teasers and leaks, perhaps we’re already used to it. It’s also worth pointing out a number plate nicely breaks up that vast area of grille real estate.

The New BMW 4-Series Is Here And We're Already Used To The Big Face

Moving swiftly on from that front end and looking at the body of the car as a whole, BMW is keen to point out there’s a lot more of it than before. It’s 128mm longer than the old one with a wheelbase stretched by 41mm, while the width is up by 27mm. Track widths, meanwhile, have been bumped up by 28mm at the front axle and 18mm at the rear.

It also has a 23mm wider rear track than the related G20 3-series, and at the front there’s more negative camber. The centre of gravity is 21mm lower, and there’s additional bracing at the back to stiffen the shell.

The New BMW 4-Series Is Here And We're Already Used To The Big Face

In other stuff you don’t get in a 3-series news, the range-topping M440i xDrive has also been given a mild hybrid setup. Here, the ‘B58’ turbocharged inline-six is paired with a 48-volt starter motor-generator unit and a small battery pack, and although peak power of 372bhp is changed from the range-topping 3er, you do get a handy 11bhp boost at low-engine speeds.

At the other end of the spectrum is the 420i with 181bhp on offer, making 0-62mph possible in 7.5 seconds. It’s powered by a turbocharged inline-four shared with the 430i, with an increase in boost pressure yielding a more handy 255bhp output and a 0-62mph time of 5.8 seconds.

The New BMW 4-Series Is Here And We're Already Used To The Big Face

The 2.0-litre petrol models are rear-drive only, but go for the 2.0-litre diesel-powered 420d with its 188bhp and 295lb ft, and you have the option of all-wheel drive. The 430d xDrive (no rear-drive option here) switches the inline-four oil-burner for a 3.0-litre straight-six, giving 282bhp and a whopping 479lb ft of torque, which will see the 0-62mph dash taken care of in just 5.2 seconds.

It’ll be joining the range around March 2021, along with an M440d. This also uses a 3.0-litre straight-six, but with the output bumped to 335bhp and 516lb ft of torque. It’s capable of hitting 62mph in 4.7 seconds, just a couple of tenths off the petrol M440i.

The New BMW 4-Series Is Here And We're Already Used To The Big Face

Inside, the 4-series doesn’t diverge quite as much from its saloon relative. The dashboard design is much the same, with - assuming you’ve gone for the BMW Live Cockpit Professional option - a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster flanked by a 10.25-inch infotainment screen. Stick with the standard BMW Live Cockpit Plus, and those displays shrink to 5.1 and 8.1 inches, respectively.

The new 4-series will be built in Dingolfing, Germany, with the launch expected to be October this year. The range starts at £39,870 for the 420i, rising to £53,875 for the M440i. Prices for the 430d and M440d aren’t available yet.

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Comments

HinaXOX

I like the nose tbh ( pls don’t hate me ;-;)

06/02/2020 - 20:15 |
2 | 4
Jared G.

Dang it looks so good, aside from the grille, oof. it has the face of a mole rat

06/02/2020 - 21:41 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

Perfect apart from the grille. Here’s to hoping someone makes an aftermarket solution that’s viable. Then again, I can’t afford it so I have no real say in that.

06/02/2020 - 21:56 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

I have to say - and I didn’t expect this so quickly if at all - it’s really growing on me. Reserving final judgment until I see it in person.

06/02/2020 - 22:07 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

they messed it up with the grille

06/02/2020 - 23:56 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

i thought it looked great from the start, and still do. BMW needed a shake up with their styling. Looks far better than the 8 series in my opinion. The vehicle has presence…though i’m not sure the rest of the cars design is as enthusiastic as the front…and i would love to see bmw change the interior as well. Seems like it hasn’t looked much different in generations.

06/03/2020 - 00:12 |
0 | 0
That_1_Guy

f u c k you bmw

06/03/2020 - 01:45 |
2 | 0
Anonymous

I dunno why BMW is giving their grilles serious roids… Are they trying to copy Audi or Lexus with those big grilles? Rest of the car is pretty good looking, though.

06/03/2020 - 01:57 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

They’ll probably grow on me once I see it in person, though!

06/03/2020 - 01:57 |
0 | 0
🎺🎺thank mr skeltal

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Chinese car buyers love it, and China is a much bigger market for BMW than North America or Europe are.

06/03/2020 - 03:22 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

I know 2020 is bad.. but this so freaking ugly. Looks like Italy fuc*ed Germany in all angles.

06/03/2020 - 06:45 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Let’s hope tuning companies will fix that grill, because the rest is beautiful…

06/03/2020 - 07:35 |
0 | 0