BMW South Africa has been on the new-product offensive of late. The X5 was recently joined on showroom floors by the 2 Series and now the 4 Series family has grown to include a convertible version. The drop-top variant is the second member of the 4 Series family that will be complete when Gran Coupe is eventually introduced.
More convenience
In a similar fashion to its predecessor, the 3 Series Convertible, the topless 4 has a folding hardtop that tucks away into the boot compartment – sadly severely reducing the cargo area. New to this model is a feature that allows one to pop up the boot/fold roof mechanism to add more luggage to the boot without the need to close the roof entirely.
Two engines to start
At the time of launch two models will be available locally – a 428i and 435i. The latter packs a 3,0-litre six-cylinder motor while the former boasts a 2,0-litre four-pot, and both cars feature forced induction.
The headline figures are rated at 180 kW and 350 N.m (produced from as low as 1 250 r/min) for the 2,0-litre motor – providing it with a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 6,4 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h. Interestingly, the claimed performance figures are identical for both the manual and automatic transmission-equipped cars.
The inline six-cylinder engine in the 435i cranks out 225 kW and 400 N.m from as low as 1 200 r/min, endowing it with a sprint time of 5,5 seconds to 100 km/h. You can read a driving impression of the 435i by clicking here. The 435i is available solely with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
In a few months, buyers can opt for the less powerful 420i which also features a turbopetrol four-cylinder motor, but with 135 kW and 270 N.m.
Prices:
428i manual – R660 501
435i – R814 745
