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BMW scores again

The BMW 3 Series is a brilliant car – it has always been a great vehicle and as a result, the 3 Series is BMW’s bestselling car accounting for about a third of the brand’s total sales.
BMW 4-series
Top-notch: BMW’s new 4 Series is the coupe version of its bestselling 3 Series, featuring new styling to go along with the new name.

The BMW 3 Series is a brilliant car – it has always been a great vehicle and as a result, the 3 Series is BMW’s bestselling car accounting for about a third of the brand’s total sales.

The 3 Series is now in its sixth generation and is available in four different body styles for 2014. One previously popular body style, a coupe, is notably missing however in this current generation because BMW has decided to designate those models as the 4 Series.

Yes, 3 Series is for sedan, the 4 Series for the coupe – in a similar manner to how Audi names its models as A4/A5 and S4/S5.

While the new 4 Series may lack the brand equity of a 3 Series badge, it does gain the exclusivity of being a new model with a fresh name and styling.

Design
The new 4 Series is not all-new as it is still based on the 3 Series platform. It has the same engine and transmission options and has a similar looking interior but with an added “passion” inside and out.

In particular, BMW has changed the exterior quite a bit to provide it that special design feel. The 4 Series is wider, lower and longer than both the old 3 Series coupe and the new 3 Series sedan. The nose is more aggressive, and the signature BMW double-kidney grille is smaller.

Ignoring the side mirrors, the widest part of the car is the rear wheel arches. They’re more prominent than on a 3 Series to give the 4 Series a more muscular stance.

As mentioned, the differences are less noticeable inside as they’re limited to just unique trim choices. But that’s not a bad thing as the 3 Series cabin is already sufficiently luxurious and sporty.

Performance
On the road, the 4 Series is a great car to drive from so many different perspectives. You sit nice and low so you feel suitably sporty – the seats are supportive and surprisingly comfortable.

The electronic steering is accurate and sharp, but light enough to not be a burden when you are just cruising around town.

It does lack a bit of road feel, but we understand how difficult it is to provide that tactile feel in an electric steering mechanism.

Power won’t be an issue, as the 435i comes with a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six, producing 300 hp and 300 ft.-lbs. of torque. It will propel the car to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds.

If that’s not fast enough for you, soon there will be an M version. This will bump the horsepower to 425 and should go from zero to 100km/h in just over four seconds.

The economical choice, though, is the 428i with its turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-four, making 241 hp and 258 ft.-lbs. of torque. It is still quick, 0-100km/h in 6.0 seconds, but it should also return 5.4L/100km of highway driving.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard. The optional eight-speed Sports automatic allows the driver to shift gears manually using steering wheel mounted paddles.

Features
The 4 Series Coupe has a starting price of $44,900. A 4 Series Gran Coupe will be available later in the year.

Standard equipment includes automatic climate control, heated front seats, dynamic cruise control, start/stop system, brake energy regeneration system, Bi-Xenon headlights, and a glass sunroof.

Additional features, available as options or on higher trims, include blind spot detection, lane departure and collision warning, navigation, real-time traffic information, rearview camera, park assist, internet, and a heated steering wheel.

Fuel efficiency numbers (L/100km) for the base 428i with the automatic transmission are 8.7 city, 5.4 highway for 7.2 combined.

Thumbs Up
The 4 Series is silky smooth, sporty and provides a true BMW feel.

Thumbs Down
Saying 4 Series sounds odd. Was it necessary for BMW to rebrand the coupe model? The steering lacks some feedback from the road.

The Bottom Line
The 4 Series manages to build upon the strengths of the 3 Series, offering speed and refinement that satisfy, while allowing BMW to make the coupe seem more special to its buyers.