BMW details local 4 Series Convertible range

BMW Australia has announced the pricing and specification for its all-new 4 Series Convertible line-up, with the three-variant range touching down early next year priced from $89,900 plus on-road costs.

In terms of variants and engines, the Convertible range matches that of its Coupe counterpart but with a considerable $19,000 premium over the hard-top, with the range reaching up to $135,900 for the top-spec M440i xDrive grade.

Obviously, the main difference with the Convertible is its soft-top roof, comprising large panel bow elements with a glass rear window, several layers of insulation and a fabric cover that can be had in either black or Anthracite silver.

Being 40 per cent lighter than the previous 4 Series’ retractable hard-top roof, the new soft-top can open or close in 18 seconds at speeds of up to 50km/h.

A variable soft-top compartment also sees an increase in luggage capacity from 300 litres to 385L when the roof is closed.

Additional bracing, side skirts with higher torsional rigidity and an aluminium shear panel at the bottom of the front end all contribute to increasing chassis stiffness, with the new 4 Series proving to have a four per cent greater torsional rigidity than its predecessor.

A wind deflector comes as standard to allow for careful direction of the air flow through the cabin, but can also be removed and stowed. The Air Collar neck warmers integrated into the front head restraints can also be had optionally.

The Convertible otherwise largely mirrors the design of the Coupe, with the controversial enlarged kidney grille, LED head- and tail-lights and 19-inch alloy wheels. 

Opening the range is the 420i, powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine producing 135kW/300Nm, driving the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

From the outside, the 420i comes as standard with the M Sport package, 19-inch M light alloy wheels, M Sport suspension, wind deflector and LED lighting all round.

Inside, it scores heated front sports seats, Vernasca leather upholstery (with eight colour options), Sensatec instrument panel, three-zone automatic air conditioning, through-loading system, head-up display, 10.25-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, Connected Package Professional, a 12.3inch digital instrument cluster, Driving Assistant and Parking Assistant.

The mid-spec 430i ($107,900) uses the same powertrain as the 420i, but with outputs boosted to 190kW/400Nm.

On top of the 420i, the 430i adds adaptive M suspension, Comfort Access package, M Sport brakes, Driving Assistant Professional and Parking Assistant Plus with surround-view monitor.

Topping the range is the M440i xDrive, which employs a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine tuned to produce a healthy 285kW/500Nm, also using an eight-speed transmission but driving all four wheels through BMW’s rear-biased xDrive set-up.

Additional standard kit on the M440i includes double-spoke 19-inch alloys, performance tyres, Cerium Grey finish for the mirror caps, kidney grille and tailpipes, M Sport differential, galvanic control touches, ambient lighting, Air Collar, Lumbar support, Laserlight and a Harman Kardon sound system.

Eight paint finishes are available, while a number of option packages can further enhance spec.

With one month left in 2020, BMW Australia has sold 21,502 total vehicles, down only 1.1 per cent over the same period last year.