BMW unveiled two new, second-generation 4-Series Gran Coupes for the 2022 model year, the 430i and M440i xDrive, arriving this August. The company said production of the all-wheel-drive 430i xDrive Gran Coupe and rear-wheel-drive M440i Gran Coupe models will follow “at a later date.”
The new 4-Series Gran Coupe’s exterior profile has been “sharpened,” according to the company. It’s 5.9-inches longer, an inch wider, and 2.1-inches taller than its predecessor, while the tracks have grown 1.6-inches in the front and 0.7-inches in the rear. The wheelbase is 1.8-inches longer. The company says the new body includes “optimized aerodynamics” for better driving dynamics and efficiency. “An active air flap control system, air curtains, streamlined light alloy wheels, and an almost completely sealed underbody serve to channel the airflow effectively,” the company said. The 430i’s drag coefficient is 0.28, 0.01 less than the previous model.
BMW said an “intelligent mix of materials helps to reduce vehicle weight while enhancing the body’s rigidity and crash safety,” including multi-phase steels and aluminum alloys. The front end includes an extruded aluminum engine side member and die-cast aluminum spring struts, and the new car has an aluminum hood and front fenders. The cars have a 50-50 weight distribution according to the company.
The cars use BMW’s latest TwinPower Turbo 2.0-liter four- and 3.0-liter six-cylinder engines. The M440i xDrive’s inline-six has a 48-volt mild hybrid system. Both the four and six feature a twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection, fully variable valve timing, and variable camshaft timing, along with more efficient cooling and oil supply systems. The M440i xDrive’s engine generates 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, good enough to run the car to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The four-cylinder in the 430i delivers 255 hp and 295 lb-ft for a 5.8-second 0-to-60 time.
All engines are mated to the latest eight-speed Sport Steptronic transmission with steering-wheel mounted shift paddles and launch control. BMW says the new transmission delivers sharper shifts, improved efficiency, and faster gear changes. The M440i xDrive has a Sprint function for “more dramatic bursts of mid-range acceleration,” according to the company.
BMW’s adaptive M suspension is optional, using electronically controlled shocks with continuously adjustable valves to allow the damping force to be metered at each wheel individually. The modes are comfort, sport, and adaptive; the latter adjusts the steering, damping, accelerator, and transmission to suit the driving style.
M Sport brakes are also optional (standard on the M440i xDrive), and use a different hydraulic configuration with four-piston fixed front calipers and single-piston floating rear calipers. The M Sport rear diff is standard on the M440i xDrive and optional on the 430i, optimizing putting the power down. “Power which cannot be transferred to the road by the unloaded wheel on the inside of the corner—as it is liable to slip—is deliberately shifted to the wheel on the outside of the corner, rather than applying the brakes to neutralize its effect,” the company said. “As a result, all the engine’s power can be channeled into providing a sporty driving experience. The carefully calculated distribution of drive power gives the car greater poise when negotiating a quick succession of bends and optimizes directional stability when changing lanes at the same time as during braking.”
The interior is larger, with a bit more headroom and more rear seat legroom. The new Gran Coupe uses iDrive 7, with individually configurable display content. You can configure the content via touchscreen, iDrive controller, steering wheel buttons, voice control or optional BMW gesture control. Heated front and rear seats are optional, as is front seat ventilation and wireless charging.
BMW says the cloud-based nav system’s performance has been “significantly enhanced” with “excellent accuracy” and an easier method of destination entry.
“The new generation navigation system offers extremely fast route calculation carried out dynamically and based on precise real-time traffic data transmitted at short intervals,” the company said. Drivers can enter any word when searching a destination, with the search results sorted by relevance.
“Alternatively,” the company says, “the destination can be entered simply by saying it. Points of interest (POIs) along the route are described in detail, with reviews, opening times and photos all included.” The new system can help you find primo parking spots.
Frontal-collision warning is standard, as is city collision mitigation with braking, lane -eparture warning, active blind-spot detection, rear-cross traffic alert, and rear collision preparation.
BMW also updated its X3 and X4 coupes with revised exteriors, drivetrains, and infotainment systems.
The six-cylinder X3 M40i and X4 M40i models now have a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The lineup includes rear-drive X3 sDrive30i and X4 sDrive30i models, all-wheel-drive X3 xDrive30i and X4 xDrive30i models, and M all-wheel-drive X3 M40i and X4 M40i models. The two M40is use a 48-volt mild-hybrid system.
As in the 4-Series, the 2.0-liter four and 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engines feature TwinScroll turbos, direct injection, a variable camshaft system, and variable valve control system. The four-cylinder produces 248 hp and 258 lb-ft, while the six produces 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. The straight-six in the mighty X3 M and X4 M now offers 473 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque. All models use an updated eight-speed automatic.
Exterior updates include a redesigned kidney grille, headlights, front and rear bumpers, exhaust trim, and rear lights. The standard LED headlights are 0.4 inches thinner than before while the grille is larger and is now surrounded by a one-piece frame. The interiors now uses the 4-Series center console with a new, 10.25-inch free-standing central control display (a 12.3-inch display is optional). There are also new sports seats and revised (optional) ambient lighting.
MSRP for the X3 sDrive30i is $43,700. It is $45,700 for the X3 xDrive30i and $57,800 for the X3 M40i. MSRP for the X4 xDrive40i is $51,800 and $62,400 for the X4 M40i. The X3 M starts at $69,900, the X4 M at $73,400. Destination is $995 for all the models. The new models begin production in late Summer at BMW’s South Carolina plant.
Does the 2022 BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe wear the new look better than the standard 4-Series? Let us know in the comments below.
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