Cars

BMW 4 Series to the fore

BMW M4 
BMW M4  BMW M4 

BMW is giving its svelte 4 Series an upgrade, four years after creating the nameplate for the coupe and convertible models which used to carry 3 Series a badge.

The 3 Series badge is now used for the saloon and Touring estate, as well as the odd-ball Gran Turismo hatchback, with the 4 Series range comprising coupe, convertible and the sleek four-door Gran Coupe.

BMW regards the creation of the 4 Series as a success - it has sold around 400,000 - with the Gran Coupe accounting for around half of the volume. The coupe and convertible each represent about a quarter of sales.

The United States is the biggest market for the 4 Series, followed by the UK and Germany.

Styling upgrades include a new grille and LED headlamps and rear lights, while - in typical BMW fashion - the chassis has been improved, with a lower centre of gravity and revised suspension.

Inside, there are a range of minor improvements to switches and trim finishes.

There are also new paintwork colours, interior trims and wheel options.

Similar incremental improvements have also been applied to the range-topping high performance M4.

BMW M4
BMW M4 BMW M4

Prices start at £32,580 for a 420i coupe or Gran Coupe, and stretch to £46,550 for the respective versions of the 435d xDrive. Convertible versions add between £4,000 and £5,000 to the price.

The M4 costs £58,365 and the convertible weighs in at £62,460.