BMW 4 Series LCI unveiled – new looks, suspension

Nearly two years after the F30 3 Series, the Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) facelift has finally been extended to the BMW 4 Series. The two-door F32 Coupé, F33 Convertible, four-door F36 Gran Coupé, F82 M4 Coupé and F83 M4 Convertible have been given subtle aesthetic and mechanical tweaks to sharpen their arsenal against newer competition such as the new Audi A5 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé and Cabriolet.

Outside, the tweaks have brought the 4 Series range closer in design to the original 4 Series Coupé Concept. Up front are new standard-fit full-LED headlights and fog lights, with the optional adaptive units now sporting hexagonal “corona ring” daytime running lights – these are also fitted on the F80 M3 Sedan, which shares the M4’s front end. There’s also a new lower air intake surround on Sport and Luxury lines.

At the rear sit new full-LED tail lights with a curved, one-piece L-shaped design for the light guides, plus a redesigned rear bumper. There are also four new 18- and 19-inch alloy wheel designs – one for each of the Advantage, Sport, Luxury and M Sport lines – along with new Sunset Orange and Snapper Rocks Blue paint options; both the new wheels and colours are exclusive to the 4 Series.

Inside, the revisions are more subtle and pretty much mirror those given to the 3 Series. 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.

Elsewhere, there are new Dakota leather colour options including Midnight Blue, Cognac and Ivory White, as well as new Carbon Aluminium, Light Fineline and High-gloss Black (with Pearl Chrome accent strip) trims. Unique to the 4 Series LCI is a fully digital Multifunctional Instrument Display, a previous-generation one lifted from the F10 5 Series LCI instead of the latest displays on the G12 7 Series and G30 5 Series.

The G12 7 Series-style tile-style iDrive interface for the optional Navigation system Professional was introduced to the 4 Series range last year, but the LCI gains an upgraded version which can be rearranged and customised, and can show live information up front – much like the G30 5 Series. Other new options include wireless smartphone charging and a WiFi hotspot, both of which are standard on the M4.

Under the skin, the Coupé and Gran Coupé now receive a stiffer suspension setup that is aimed at providing a sportier drive without compromising ride comfort. Lateral and longitudinal dynamics have been improved on standard, M Sport and adaptive suspension systems, irrespective of load.

All models also now feature greater straight-line stability and more communicative steering, while high-performance tyres have been made an option from the 430i and 430d upwards.

Powertrain options remain the same as last year, when the 4 Series received a suite of new engines from the 3 Series LCI. These include the B48 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder in 184 hp 420i and 252 hp 430i trims, the B58 3.0 litre turbo straight-six petrol in 326 hp 440i form and the B47 2.0 litre turbodiesel in the 190 hp 420d and 224 hp 425d.

Meanwhile, the 258 hp 430d and 313 hp 435d soldier on with the same N57 3.0 litre straight-six turbodiesel as before. There’s a choice between a six-speed manual gearbox or a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission; the latter is standard on the 430i xDrive, 430d, 435d and 440i Convertible and Gran Coupé. The brand’s xDrive all-wheel drive system is an option on most models, and is standard on the 435d.

The M4 carries over the S55 3.0 litre twin-turbo petrol straight-six, sending 431 hp to the rear wheels via a seven-speed M dual-clutch transmission. The Competition Package, which adds a number of cosmetic, chassis and engine tweaks (the latter pushing the power output up 19 hp to 450 hp), has also been retained.