Skip to main content

BMW fine-tunes the 4 Series to make it look sharper and drive even better

BMW has given the 4 Series a modest mid-cycle update. The changes apply to the coupe, convertible, Gran Coupe, and M4 variants.

As you’d expect from the Munich-based brand, the visual modifications are minor at best. The 4’s front end receives standard bi-LED headlights and LED fog lights, while select models benefit from a new-look bumper accented by an elegant strip of chrome trim. Out back, the tweaks are limited to revised LED tail lamps and a redesigned bumper.

Recommended Videos

Four additional alloy wheel designs and two new paint colors named snapper rocks blue and sunset orange, respectively, round out the changes.

The cabin has been spruced up with additional chrome and high-gloss trim, while double-stitching on the dashboard adds to the upscale ambiance. Buyers can personalize the 4 by selecting from three new upholstery colors and three additional trim materials, including real wood and glossy black. Finally, the 4 receives an upgraded sports steering wheel, and it’s available with a digital instrument cluster.

BMW promises it made the 4 Series’ suspension stiffer and sportier without sacrificing comfort. All models are now more stable to drive in a straight line, and they offer more communicative steering, according to the company.

It doesn’t sound like BMW has made any mechanical modifications to the 4. The entry-level 430i is still equipped with a turbocharged, 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine rated at 248 horsepower. The 440i ups the ante with a 3.0-liter straight-six that uses a twin-scroll turbocharger to produce 320 horses. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual transmission and an eight-speed automatic gearbox with shift paddles. Rear-wheel drive comes standard, and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system is offered at an extra cost.

Pictured above, the M4 rewards enthusiasts with a twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter straight-six engine that pumps out 444 horsepower when the optional Competition Package is selected. Bolted to a six-speed manual transmission, the six sends the M4 from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds.

So far, the updates have only been announced for the European-spec version of the BMW 4 Series. The model sold on our shores is expected to receive the same revisions in the not-too-distant future. Pricing information and full details will be released closer to the 4’s on-sale date.

Ronan Glon
Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…
BMW i4 brings the ultimate driving machine into EV territory
2022 bmw i4 electric sedan unveiled with 530 horsepower

BMW introduced the i4, its smartest and most futuristic sedan to date. Fully electric, connected, and powerful, it's a toned-down version of the Concept i4 developed to give buyers a battery-powered alternative to the 3 Series.

Like the design study, which was presented online in March 2020, the production model wears a giant grille that will fuel chatter for months on end. Some will love it, some will hate it; what's certain is that it won't go unnoticed. BMW is applying this styling cue across its range, and its market research reveals buyers like the more assertive look.

Read more
BMW shows off the future of iDrive tech at CES 2021
bmw idrive next gen infotainment system ces 2021 screen

BMW iDrive was one of the first automotive infotainment systems, debuting in 2001 on the 7 Series luxury car. To celebrate iDrive's 20th anniversary, BMW previewed the next-generation system — set to debut in the iX electric car — at CES 2021.

While the automaker's presentation focused more on the past than the future, BMW did drop a few teasers and hints about the next-generation iDrive system. Teaser images show a massive screen stretching about halfway across a car's dashboard, indicating BMW doesn't plan to buck the big-screen trend in new cars. The new system also retains the rotary controller used on every iteration of iDrive, showing that BMW's introduction of gesture control and a voice assistant haven't killed off analog controls.

Read more
LG’s UltraFine OLED Pro monitor looks like the ultimate 4K display for creatives
LG's UltraFine Pro brings OLED screens to Apple creative pros.

[LG at CES2021] LG UltraFine OLED Pro - The Master of Visual Tech

At the Consumer Electronics Show, LG is announcing its first 4K OLED monitor catered for creative professionals. Part of its top-end lineup of monitors, the new LG UltraFine OLED Pro sports a punching 8 million pixels, as well as a stunning 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio.

Read more