BMW 4 Series Coupe makes a great debut

BMW is playing the numbers game again and has come up with a winner with the sleek new 4 Series Coupe which has replaced the 3 Series Coupe and it marks the start of a new series with a convertible being one of the other models to follow the coupe.
BMW 4 Series CoupeBMW 4 Series Coupe
BMW 4 Series Coupe

While to some the new series might be a bit confusing it does make sense for the good looking 4 Series Coupe is longer and lower than the car it has replaced and looks different enough from the 3 Series range to be a stand alone new 4 range.

And like its great rival fellow German manufacturer Audi with their quattro four wheel drive models the 4 Series is also available with BMW’s xDrive all wheel drive on three versions.

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This is a sound move for while rear wheel drive offers very satisfying driving in normal conditions it can also be rather dodgy when there is snow on the roads especially for owners living in hilly areas and 4x4 traction will help keep them on the move.

My test car was the 420d SE Coupe which is expected to be the big seller in the eight model range - the test car with its 184bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine cost £30,795 on the road although it was loaded with options costing over £8,000 including head-up speed display on the windscreen which is a very useful piece of kit.

The test car had a top speed of 149mph, a zero to 62mph time of 7.5 seconds a combined fuel consumption of 60.1 mpg and CO2 emissions of 124g/km.

Interior of the coupe was similar to a 3 Series model with very comfortable seats and the head-up speed display really helps the driver to keep a close watch on the speed at all times and keep looking on the road ahead.

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It was nice to get behind the wheel of a Bee Em again for they have always been one of my favourites and it was a good start to the New Year with the dry and sunny Pennine roads providing a challenging winter drive for this latest offering from the premium German car manufacturer.

The handsome car attracted a lot of attention and the smooth and precise six speed manual gearbox allied with the great handling and road holding capabilities of this new coupe made for really satisfying motoring with really impressive acceleration.

The standard run flat tyres and puncture warning system mean that the driver will not be stranded in some remote area with a flat tyre and that the car can be driven back to a dealership or tyre depot should the worst happen for the tyre to be repaired or replaced.

There is a large load area in the boot but there is no wiper on the large rear window which I would have liked and I found the winker warning lights on the two exterior mirrors rather distracting at night especially the one on the drivers side when turning on unlit country roads.

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Overall I found the 4 Series Coupe to be a very worthy first model in the new series and it is one of the most attractive Beemers from the German manufacturer but if I was going for the coupe it would be one of the xDrive 4x4 models.

My Verdict: The 4 Series Coupe makes a great debut.

Fact File

Model: BMW 420d SE Coupe.

Engine: 2.0-litre diesel.

0utput: 184bhp.

Transmission: Six speed manual.

Top speeed: 149mph.

Acceleration: 0 to 62mph 7.5 seconds.

Fuel consumption: 60.1mpg combined.

C02 emissions: 124 g/km.

Price: £30,795 on the road.

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