New BMW 4 Series price, release date & specs

The new BMW 4 Series coupe replaces the previous BMW 3 Series Coupe in the brand's range of executive cars. The BMW 4 Series name applies to the coupe and forthcoming convertible, to distinguish these sportier models from the more sensible BMW 3 Series saloon and Touring (estate) versions.

The BMW 3 and 4 Series range will be organised according to body style, so the saloon, Touring, GT (a sleeker shaped version of the saloon with a bigger boot) and Gran Coupe (a larger and more expensive version of the saloon with coupe looks) will be labelled as a 3 Series, while the coupe and convertible models will be called the BMW 4 Series.

BMW 4 Series price and release date

The BMW 4 Series goes on sale on 5 October in the UK, priced from £31,575 for the entry-level 420d diesel model. Only that and the 428i and 435i petrol models will be available from launch, with the 420i, 430d and 435d versions appearing later on.

BMW's four-wheel drive system called xDrive will be available for the 420i, 420d and 435d, though this probably won’t be offered straight away. Five specifications will be available when the car launches: SE, Sport, Modern, Luxury and M Sport. There will also be a BMW M4 later on, for buyers looking for a high-performance coupe.

BMW 4 Series specs

The new BMW 4 Series uses the company’s EfficientDynamics technology to improve efficiency and economy. This includes aerodynamic exterior designs, start-stop technology for the engines and electric power steering. The entry-level 420d model returns 60.1mpg and 124g/km emissions, and the 428i petrol gets 42.8mpg and 154g/km. However, the top spec 435i gets just 35.8mpg and 185g/km emissions.

The new 4 Series has a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, but owners can opt for an eight-speed automatic gearbox if they prefer. With this gearbox one can change gear using steering wheel-mounted paddles and allows use of a launch control system that helps the car get away from a standstill even faster than normal.

New BMW M4

We expect BMW to release a new performance model of the 4 Series, called the BMW M4, following its long tradition of producing very fast coupe models of its 3 Series range. The BMW M435i with a host of upgrades will be shown at the Pebble Beach show in California in August, giving a glimpse of what the M4 could look like.

The new BMW M4 will use materials to keep it as light as possible and improve performance and economy. The M4 is likely to have completely new suspension and a faster version of the BMW 435i’s engine to make it more of a performance-focused sports car. It’s likely that the new BMW M4 release date will be sometime in summer 2014.

BMW 4 Series equipment and interior

The BMW 4 Series interior features a leather steering wheel with multimedia controls and 6.5-inch display to make controlling the car’s features as easy as possible. The front seats have automatic seatbelt feeders, which present the driver and passenger with the seatbelt when they sit down, while the rear seats are individualy moulded for greater comfort in the back.

The new BMW 4 Series has more standard equipment than the 3 Series coupe, including parking sensors, heated leather front seats, a digital radio, cruise control and air-conditioning. Other equipment includes Bluetooth, as well as automatic lights and automatic wipers. The more expensive 435i, 430d and 435d models all get electric front seats and metallic paint included in the price.

All models above SE get sports seats and 18-inch alloy wheels, while the top M Sport models have sportier suspension, upgraded upholstery and a more aggressive exterior look.

The BMW 4 Series gets options like a media package with sat-nav and speech recognition, a collision detection system that automatically brakes for you, and a parking assist system. There's also an innovative high-beam that automatically reduces glare on the lights to stop them blinding oncoming traffic.

The new 4 Series features sporty exterior looks, with a wide body and a low roofline compared to the current 3 Series coupe. It’s also got more aggressive-looking bumpers and vents behind the front wheels that improve both aerodynamics and economy.

To view the full BMW range, see the CarBuyer BMW reviews page.