BMW 4 Series (G22) explained

See also: BMW i4 (G26).

BMW 4 Series (G22/G23/G26)
Manufacturer:BMW
Production:2020–present
Assembly:Germany: Dingolfing (Coupé and Convertible)
Munich (Gran Coupé)
Designer:Seungmo Lim (concept & production versions)[1]
Class:Compact executive car (D)
Body Style:2-door coupé (G22)
2-door convertible (G23)
5-door liftback (G26, Gran Coupé)
Related:BMW M4 (G82)
BMW i4
BMW 3 Series (G20)
BMW 2 Series (G42)
Layout:Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive / all-wheel-drive (xDrive)
Transmission:6-speed manual (M4 only)
8-speed ZF 8HP automatic
Platform:BMW CLAR
Wheelbase:28511NaN1
Length:47681NaN1
Width:18521NaN1
Height:13871NaN1
Weight:NaN0NaN0
Predecessor:BMW 4 Series (F32)
BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo (F34) (4 Series Gran Coupé)

The second generation of the BMW 4 Series consists of the BMW G22 (coupé version) along with the BMW G23 (convertible version) and BMW G26 (5-door liftback version, marketed as the Gran Coupé) compact executive cars. The G22 4 Series was launched in June 2020 and succeeds the F32 4 Series.

The G22 will be produced alongside - and shares many features with - the G20 3 Series. As with the G20 3 Series range, the 4 Series are powered by turbocharged petrol and diesel engines. Unlike its predecessor, the new 4 Series has a significant departure in design from the 3 Series in order to distinguish between the two models and to move the 4 Series upscale. The most notable of the design changes is the large kidney grille at the front which was inspired by the 1930s BMW 328.[2]

Development

The G22 4 Series was unveiled in concept form as the BMW Concept 4, at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show and previewing the next generation of the 4 Series. The most notable design feature is the large vertical kidney grille which is inspired by the BMW 328 and 3.0 CSi respectively. The grille has a 3D pattern design to give it a more pronounced look. Other notable design features of the concept were a pronounced duck-tail spoiler at the rear, thin wing mirrors made from a single piece of aluminium and open headlamps, which have no covering over their 3D lighting elements and are instead embedded into the body of the car.[3] [4]

Launch

On 26 May 2020, BMW announced that the G22 4 Series would be unveiled online in June 2020 by posting a teaser image of the range-topping M440i model.[5] More than 80% of the design cues from the Concept 4 were carried over to the production version including the large kidney grille which now has mesh inserts and is flanked with two slim LED headlamps and two large air intakes (exclusive for the M440i). The rear features wrap around tail lamps and a lip spoiler which is exclusive for the M Sport models. The silhouette of the car is similar to the 8 Series with a tapering roof line. The rear bumper comes with a diffuser on the M Sport models with the M440i having dual exhaust tips. The production version is claimed to have a drag area as low as 0.25 x 2.19 m2 for the Coupé.[6] [7] On the online unveiling, BMW announced that the worldwide launch of the G22 4 Series would be held in October of the same year.[8]

At the end of September, BMW unveiled the convertible version of the new 4 Series (G23), with the same technology and engines as the coupe. It has a canvas roof, unlike the two predecessors which had a retractable hardtop.[9]

Models

The launch models consist of the diesel engine 420d, 430d, and M440d, the petrol-engined 420i M Sport and 430i and the mild hybrid M440i xDrive.[10] The 420i M Sport and 430i feature the 2.0-litre BMW B48 inline-four rated at 135abbr=onNaNabbr=on and 300abbr=onNaNabbr=on of torque for the 420i M Sport, and 190abbr=onNaNabbr=on and 399abbr=onNaNabbr=on of torque for the 430i. The M440i model is powered by the 3.0-litre turbocharged BMW B58 Inline-6 engine rated at 285abbr=onNaNabbr=on and 500abbr=onNaNabbr=on of torque equipped with a 48-volt electric motor rated at 8abbr=onNaNabbr=on. The 420d is powered by the 2.0-litre turbo-diesel BMW B47 Inline-4 engine rated at 138abbr=onNaNabbr=on while the 430d and M440d are equipped with the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel BMW B57 Inline-6 engine rated at 207abbr=onNaNabbr=on for the 430d and 246abbr=onNaNabbr=on for the 440d. The M440d, like the M440i, is also equipped with a mild hybrid system. The hybrid system features a belt-fed starter generator to recoup energy under braking. This power can be supplied to the car’s 12V electrical system or deployed to assist the combustion engine to help reduce emissions and boost fuel economy.

A previously unavailable combination of the 430i with xDrive in their Gran Coupé body will be available as a MY23 version becoming the first 2023 model other than their "iX" electrified SUV. Options like a Harman Kardon stereo upgrade, heads-up display, and LASER headlights are also available.

The only available gearbox is an 8-speed automatic transmission. The M Sport models come with a modified gearbox which features faster shifts and a new "Sprint" driving mode. The 430i, 420d, 430d and M440d come standard with rear-wheel-drive but can be configured with all-wheel-drive. The M440i comes with all wheel drive only. The G22 4 series has a wider track than its predecessor and has 50/50 weight distribution.[8] [11]

Performance

The 420i can accelerate from 0–100abbr=onNaNabbr=on in 7.5 seconds, the 430i can accelerate from 0–97abbr=onNaNabbr=on in 5.5 seconds (5.3 seconds for the xDrive version) while the M440i can accelerate from 0–100abbr=onNaNabbr=on in 4.3 seconds. All models have an electronically limited top speed of 250abbr=onNaNabbr=on.

Equipment

The 4 Series comes with various exterior packages, such as the M Sport package which adds high gloss exterior trim pieces, a carbon fibre detailing pack which replaces the high gloss trim with carbon fibre and an M Sport Pro package which adds more high gloss trim pieces and 19 inch wheels, unique interior trim and exterior colours. The 4 Series comes standard with the M Sport suspension but buyers can also have the M Adaptive suspension as an option which tweaks steering, damping, and accelerator response. Laser headlamps are also optional aside from the adaptive LED headlamps with hexagonal lighting technology.

Most of the interior is carried over from the G20 3 Series upholstered in SensaTec faux leather with front sports seat being standard. The interior is offered in five colours with full leather upholstery being optional. The rear seats fold down to provide a total boot capacity of 4401NaN1. The iDrive 7.0 system is standard and features an 8.8-inch screen on the centre console along with a 5.1-inch screen in the instrument cluster. A 10.3 inch screen for the infotainment system along with a 12.3 inch screen for the instrument cluster are optional. The iDrive 7.0 has over-the-air updates for the navigational maps and operating system, and features a voice-controlled digital assistant. The 4 Series comes standard with the BMW navigation, the next-generation BMW head-up display, which has a 70 percent larger projection surface, and 3D environment visualization within the digital instrument cluster. Apple Car Play and Android Auto are also standard interior amenities. A Driving Assistance Professional package is optional, which adds adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane-keep assist with side collision avoidance, and rear automatic emergency braking.[12] [13]

420-430 models with the M Sport trim and M440 models can be fitted with M Performance Parts. These include a splitter, canards, a lip spoiler, larger wheels and side skirts.

Engines

Performance figures refer to rear-wheel drive coupés (G22); numbers in brackets are for xDrive coupés.

Petrol

Model Years Engine Power Torque NaN0NaN0
420i
420i xDrive
2021–present 2.0 L turbo I4
B48B20M0
at 4,400–6,000 rpm
at 1,250–4,300 rpm
7.5 seconds
430i
430i xDrive
2021-present 2.0 L turbo I4
B48B20O1
at 5,000-6,500 rpm 4000NaN0
at 1,550-4,400 rpm
5.8 seconds
M440i
M440i xDrive
2021-present 3.0 L turbo I6
B58B30TÜ1
EU: at 5,500-6,500 rpm
US: at 5,800-6,500 rpm
5000NaN0
at 1,800-5,000 rpm
[4.5] seconds

Diesel

Model Years Engine Power Torque NaN0NaN0
420d
420d xDrive
2021-present 1400NaN0
at 4,000 rpm
4000NaN0
at 1,750-2,500 rpm
7.1 [7.4] seconds
430d xDrive 2021-present 2100NaN0
at 4,000 rpm
6500NaN0
at 1,750-2,500 rpm
[5.1] seconds
M440d xDrive 2021-present 2500NaN0
at 4,400 rpm
7000NaN0
at 1,750-2,250 rpm
[4.6] seconds

BMW M4 (G82)

The M4 variants are the most powerful of the 4 Series, yielding a maximum of 503 horsepower in the M4 competition series. It was designed and developed by BMW M, a division of BMW that engineers performance variants of the company's standard vehicles. The M4 is new to the market relative to other M models, being manufactured from 2014 to the present.

Two generations of M models have been made from the 4 series: the F32 (first generation) and the G22. Like other M variants, upgrades from the standard 4 series are designed to increase the vehicle's speed and handling. These include a more powerful engine with better response time, more powerful brake pistons and calipers, body styling adjustments, improved steering, and a better suspension.

BMW i4 (G26)

See main article: BMW i4 (G26).

Based on the 4 Series Gran Coupé, the i4 is a battery electric liftback produced since 2021.[14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The 4: The magic of lines . discover.bmw.co.uk . 15 November 2020.
  2. Web site: Domagoj Dukec BMW Design talks about the BMW Concept 4 Series. 2019-10-10. BMW BLOG. en. 2020-06-01.
  3. Web site: BMW Concept 4 is an early look at the next 4-Series. Motor Authority. en. 2020-06-01.
  4. Web site: BMW concept previewing next 4 Series in Frankfurt is up in your grille. Autoblog. en. 2020-06-01.
  5. Web site: New BMW 4 Series Coupe (G22) officially premieres on June 2nd. 2020-05-26. BMW BLOG. en. 2020-06-01.
  6. News: G22 BMW 4 Series gets revealed in leaked brochures. 2020-06-01. Paul Tan's Automotive News. en. 2020-06-01.
  7. Web site: The 2021 BMW 4 Series And Its Massive Grille Will Debut On June 2 — Here Are The Details. Finley. Kristen. 2020-05-26. The Fast Lane Car. en-US. 2020-06-01.
  8. Web site: Meiners. Jens. 2020-06-02. 2021 BMW 4-Series Coupe Gets a Bold, Controversial New Face. 2020-06-02. Car and Driver. en-US.
  9. Web site: Chris. Bruce. 2020-09-30. 2021 BMW 4 Series Convertible goes soft, debuts without folding hardtop. Motor1 UK. en.
  10. Web site: New BMW 4 Series Coupé debuts with big kidneys, mild-hybrid boost . Sagar . autodevot.com . 2020-06-03 . 2020-06-03.
  11. Web site: 2020 BMW 4 Series Coupe revealed with dramatic new look. 2020-06-02. James. Attwood. Autocar. 2020-06-03.
  12. Web site: Perez. Jeff. 2021 BMW 4 Series Debuts With Big Kidney Grille, New Mild-Hybrid Engine. 2020-06-02. Motor1.com. en.
  13. Web site: New 2020 BMW 4 Series arrives with bold new look and a huge grille. 2020-06-02. James. Brodie. AutoExpress. 2020-06-03.
  14. Web site: 2018-10-17 . John . McIlroy . New BMW i4 to take BMW electric cars mainstream in 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181231143331/https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/105006/new-bmw-i4-to-take-bmw-electric-cars-mainstream-in-2021 . 2018-12-31 . Auto Express.