2021 BMW 4 Series Coupe: First Look

© BMW USA2021 BMW 4 Series Coupe
At the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show, BMW revealed the Concept 4 — an advance look at an upcoming 4 Series Coupe — and the biggest industry talking point ended up being a large vertical rendition of BMW’s classic kidney grille. Today the German carmaker takes the wraps off the production version of the 4 Series. Although it has been toned down a bit from the show car in Germany last year, the new 4 Series retains many of the styling cues introduced on that concept — including the boldly styled grille. In addition to the updated styling, the second-generation BMW 4 Series Coupe receives more power, improved performance and a slew of new features.

© BMW USANew Look
The 2021 BMW 4 Series clearly stands apart from the current generation thanks to the larger kidney grille that not only makes a strong design statement but also improves engine cooling. The grille extends to the bottom of the front bumper and features a three-dimensional mesh structure. Slim LED headlights with U-shaped running lights flank the grille, and the lines of the sculpted hood radiate from behind the grille. This full-frontal presence gives the 4 Series a wide, sporty stance — the new model happens to be one inch wider than its predecessor.

© BMW USASleek Silhouette
A full 5.2 inches longer than the previous-generation 4 Series, the 2021 model exhibits a long hood, sleek roofline and powerful fenders. The roof slopes smoothly toward the rear of the car, where it blips up slightly at the edge of the trunk.

© BMW USASporty Rear Styling
Darkened LED taillights give the car a sporty appearance from the rear, as well as dual exhaust outlets integrated with the rear bumper.

© BMW USATrim Levels
The 2021 BMW 4 Series will initially be available as the 430i, 430i xDrive and M440i xDrive. Other versions will likely be added to the lineup sooner than later. With its rear spoiler, Cerium Grey kidney grille, front air intake trim, exterior mirror caps and rear trapezoidal exhaust tip trim, the top-level M440i will be readily recognizable as the premium 2021 4 Series.

© BMW USABMW Inside
Inside the 2021 BMW 4 Series Coupe are new power-adjustable sport seats as well as a leather-wrapped Sport steering wheel. The start button is now in the center console along with a new gearshift and the latest iDrive controller. All interior lighting is now LED, and BMW offers an optional ambient lighting system.

© BMW USADigital Displays
An 8.8-inch center display is standard in the 2021 BMW 4 Series Coupe, with the option of upgrading to a 10.25-inch horizontal touchscreen with a 12.3-inch digital instrument display. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are also standard.

© BMW USASafety Tech
BMW equips the new 4 Series Coupe with the latest safety technology, including front collision warning, pedestrian warning with braking, collision mitigation, post-crash braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, rear collision preparation and automatic front seat-belt tensioning.

© BMW USA430i Powertrain
The 4 Series is available with a choice of two engines, and both deliver more power and torque than powerplants of the previous generation. The BMW 430i gets an updated 2.0-liter TwinPower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing 255 horsepower and 294 lb-ft of torque. Acceleration to 60 mph takes 5.5 seconds; the xDrive with its improved traction gets the job done .2 seconds quicker. BMW limits the top speed of the 2021 4 Series Coupe to 155 mph (or 130 mph depending on wheel and tire choice).

© BMW USAM440i Powertrain
The top-level M440i gets fitted with a 3.0-liter TwinPower turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine that produces 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque — 62 more horses than the previous 440i. A 48-volt mild hybrid system is also standard equipment on the M440i; it stores energy in a separate 48-volt battery that can be used to power the electronics systems — thus reducing load on the engine — or it can boost performance with an additional 11 horsepower during strong acceleration. The M440i is limited to the same top speed as the 430i, although this top-tier 4 Series Coupe accelerates to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds.

© BMW USAQuick-Shifting Automatic
Both engines of the 2021 BMW 4 Series Coupe get teamed with a quick-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission upgraded with a new hydraulic control system designed to improve performance and efficiency. The M440i also gets a rear M Sport differential that equalizes torque between left and right rear wheels as needed.

© BMW USAxDrive
BMW’s latest xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system is optional on the 430i and standard on the M440i. The system quickly varies torque between the front and rear wheels using an electronically controlled multiplate clutch in the transfer case. When all-wheel drive is not needed, all power gets directed to the rear wheels.

© BMW USAHandling
The 2021 BMW 4 Series Coupe is lighter and more rigid than the previous incantation through use of hot-stamped steels, multi-phase steels and aluminum alloys. With a lower center of gravity and wider rear track, the new 4 Series should offer considerably improved handling compared to its predecessor — which was no slouch. The M440i gets upgraded to M Sport Suspension with firmer springs, stiffer bushings and firmer anti-roll bars.

© BMW USAWheels and Tires
The 2021 BMW 430i Coupe will come with 18-inch V-Spoke bicolor Orbit Grey alloy wheels fitted with all-season run-flat tires. The higher-performance M440i gets 18-inch M Double-spoke alloy wheels. Both variants are available with 19-inch wheels as well as high-performance run-flat tires.

© BMW USAPrice
Pricing for the 2021 BMW 4 Series Coupe starts at $45,600 for the 430i Coupe. The all-wheel-drive 430i xDrive Coupe starts at $47,600, and the top-level M440i xDrive Coupe has a base MSRP of $58,500. BMW plans a global launch of the 4 Series Coupe in October 2020.

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