BMW 4 Series goes topless

BMW is expanding its 4-Series portfolio with the addition of the new 4-Series Convertible that is slated to launch worldwide in March 2021. 

BMW has ditched the folding hard-top that lurks in the outgoing model for the soft-top. According to BMW, the soft-top is 40% lighter than the retractable hard-top and offers 5mm more headroom than before. Opening and closing of the roof takes around 18-seconds and that can be done while travelling at speeds up to 50km/h. Opting for the Comfort Access option ensures that the roof can also be operated by remote control.

Baggage space is measured at 300-litres with the roof down - an increase of 80-litres compared to the outgoing 4-Series Convertible. Closing the roof expands the cargo area by a whopping 385-litres which is 15 litres more than before.

In terms of dimensions, BMW managed to stretch the 4-Series Convertible by a 128mm to 4 768 mm as well as the width by 27mm to 1 852 mm and the wheelbase has grown by 41 mm to 2 851 mm. The height of the car is rated at 1 384 with the roof closed. For improved handling prowess, BMW also widened the track by 28mm in front and 18mm at the rear. 

At launch, BMW will offer three petrol engines in the form of the 420i, 430i and 440i xDrive. The diesel line-up consists of the 420d, 430d and 440d xDrive. All models come fitted with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission. The 420i comes fitted with a four-pot petrol engine with 135 kW and 300 Nm of torque plus an eight-speed Steptronic transmission. BMW claims it can sprint from a standstill to 100km/h in 8.2 seconds before hitting the limiter at 236 km/h. 

The 430i borrows the same engine that lurks in the 420i but with 190 kW worth of grunt and 400 Nm of torque. These numbers are good for a 6.2-seconds sprint to the 100km/h mark. The 430i’s top speed is 250km/h.  

The 440i with the xDrive AWD system features a six-cylinder in-line straight-six engine aided by a 48V mild-hybrid system. The engine alone makes 275 kW of power and 500 Nm while the mild-hybrid system only churns out 8 kW. It runs to 100km/h from a standstill in 4.9-seconds en route to a top speed of 250km/h. 

Opening the diesel range is a 420d under which lurks a four-cylinder diesel engine plus a 48V mild-hybrid system. The engine makes 140kW and 400Nm while the mild-hybrid system makes 8 kW. It has a 7.6 second sprint time to 100km/h before stopping at 236km/h. 

The 430d will make its debut in July 2021 and will use a six-cylinder diesel engine and a 48V mild-hybrid technology. Power is rated at 210 kW and 650 Nm - 8 kW for the mild-hybrid technology. It dashes from a standstill to 100 km/h in 5.9-seconds before hitting the top speed at 250 km/h. 

Bringing in the rear of the diesel variants, the M440d xDrive will make its first appearance in November 2021 and will spawn a six-cylinder diesel mill with 250 kW and 700 Nm as well as a 48V mild-hybrid system. 

Its acceleration to 100 km/h will take the M440d 5.1-seconds en route to a top speed of 250 km/h.

According to BMW SA, the 4 Series 'Slahla' (Convertible) will arrive in Mzansi in the first half of 2021 when pricing and model range will also be announced.