All-New 2021 BMW 4 Series Coupe Ups Performance And Gets New Look

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2021 BMW M440i xDrive Coupe
The all-new next generation BMW 4 series coupe gets a performance upgrade and an image makeover. It will move like Jagger, but will Jagger, and BMW faithful, warm to its new looks. Only time will tell. What’s nice about the new design of the 2021 4 series coupe, is that it doesn’t look like every other generic sports coupe on the road. It makes a statement and, from what we’ve seen, we like what it is saying. The Canadian market launch will take place in October 2020. Pricing and option details will be released later this month.

All 2021 4 series models receive a boost in horsepower and torque over the models they replace. Powering the new 430i xDrive coupe is an updated 2.0-liter 4-cylinder BMW TwinPower turbocharged engine delivering 255 hp @ 5,000 – 6,500 rpm (an increase of 7 hp) and 294 ft-lbs. of torque @ 1,550 – 4,400 rpm (an increase of 36 ft-lbs.). The 430i xDrive coupe accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 240 km/h (210 km/h when equipped with all-season tires).

The 2021 M440i xDrive coupe is powered by a 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder BMW TwinPower turbocharged engine producing 382 hp @ 5,800 – 6,500 rpm (an increase of 62 hp) and 369 ft-lbs. of torque @ 1,800 – 5,000 rpm (an increase of 39 ft.-lbs.). The 2021 M440i xDrive coupe accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds and can reach an electronically limited speed of 240 km/h (210 km/h when equipped with all-season tires).

Both 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines use a single, twin-scroll turbocharger, high precision fuel injection (operating at over 5,000 psi), VALVETRONIC fully variable valve timing and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing. The 3.0-liter 6-cylinder in the M440i xDrive coupe also benefits from weight-optimized pistons and connecting rods and from an exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head allowing for better thermal efficiency from the integrated water cooling passages.

The BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system is designed to sharpen the car’s handling. Power is sent to the wheels via an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch in the transfer case. The latest xDrive system found in the new 4 Series Coupe offers rapid and fully variable distribution of drive torque between the front and rear wheels. In driving situations where all-wheel drive is not needed, all the power is directed to the rear wheels.

All 4 Series models deliver their power to the pavement through a standard 8-speed sport automatic transmission with launch control. The M440i xDrive coupe includes a standard rear M Sport differential which helps improve traction by equalizing drive torque between the left and right rear wheels under acceleration. It also works in conjunction with the DSC Stability control system to reduce unwanted understeer.

The latest version of BMW’s quick-shifting Sport automatic transmission features a new, optimized hydraulic control system for improved response and efficiency. A new generation of torsion dampers reduce rotational irregularities within the powertrain to help enhance driving comfort and shift smoothness.

Intelligent connectivity enables the 8-speed automatic transmission to adapt its gearshifts according to the route and driving situation. Working with the standard navigation system, the 8-speed Steptronic transmission uses data from this system and from the optional Active Cruise Control system’s radar sensor. This makes it possible for the transmission to avoid unnecessary gear changes by shifting down early in order to use engine braking to reduce speed and be in the correct gear to accelerate out of a turn.

Compared to the new 3 series sedan, the 2021 4 series coupe is 66 mm longer, 25 mm wider, 25 mm lower and with a 25 mm wider rear track while sharing the same wheelbase. Compared to the previous generation 4 series coupe, the 2021 4 series coupe is 132 mm longer, 25 mm wider, 10 mm taller and features a 40 mm longer wheelbase and 35 mm wider front and 30 mm wider rear tracks.

The aggressive looking front end of the 4 Series features a new BMW kidney grille design which accommodates the greater cooling requirements of the more powerful engines. The grille is angled forward and extends to the bottom of the front bumper cover. The kidney grille is framed by surfaces with a three-dimensional mesh structure.

The standard M Sport Package includes a uniquely styled front bumper with larger air intake openings and a restyled rear bumper with Shadowline inlays. The rear diffuser panel, front air intake trim, side window moldings and lower exterior mirror housings are all finished in high-gloss black.

The M440i xDrive coupe’s exterior styling is set apart by a rear trunk spoiler and by a Cerium Grey finish to the kidney grille, front air intake trim, exterior mirror caps and rear trapezoidal exhaust tip trim.

The 2021 4 Series coupe interior features newly designed front power sport seats and leather sport steering wheel, which are standard. The upswept center console creates individual space for the front seat passengers. The M Sport Package and M440i xDrive coupe models offer additional soft knee padding on the sides of the center console as well as an M Sport steering wheel and door sill plates with the M logo.

The center display screen flows into the instrument cluster area to form a congruous unit. The light functions are operated from a panel of buttons to the left of the steering wheel. The start/stop button is now located in the center console along with the newly designed gear selector lever, the iDrive Controller and the buttons for the Driving Experience Control switch.

A new 48-volt mild-hybrid system is standard on the 6-cylinder M440i xDrive coupe. The 48-volt starter/generator unit is complemented by a separate 48-volt battery which allows for energy recuperation, storage and use during driving. Energy can be recuperated from deceleration, braking and from excess electricity generated while driving in Sport mode.

The excess energy is converted to electricity by the 48-volt starter/generator and stored in the 48-volt battery. This energy can be used by the starter/generator unit to boost performance by up to 11 hp during hard acceleration or by providing power for electronic systems, thus reducing the load on the engine and improving overall efficiency.

The 48-volt starter generator also improves efficiency by allowing the stopped engine to be restarted quickly with little vibration. The Auto Start/Stop function can now turn off the engine while the driver is braking for a stop as soon as the speed drops below 15 km/h.

All 430i xDrive coupes are equipped with standard 18 x 7.5 inch alloy wheels with all-season run-flat tires. Optional on all models are 19 x 8.0 inch alloy wheels with 225/40R19 all-season run-flat tires or 19 x 8.0 inch front alloy wheels with 225/40R19 and 19 x 8.5 inch alloy wheels with 255/35R19 performance run-flat tires. The M440i xDrive Coupé comes standard with 19 x 8.0 inch front alloy wheels with 225/40R19 and 19 x 8.5 inch alloy wheels with 255/35R19 performance non-run-flat tires.
 

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