Facelift (What's New)
2.0-litre Diesel engine producing 188bhp and 400Nm of torque
Restyled head lights and tail lamps
Updated infotainment system with Navigation System Professional
We headed up to Portugal to drive a collection of BMW cars, one of which is this one - the facelifted 4 Series Convertible. Launched back in 2013, the 4 Series offered an extra dimension of fun, elegance and style over the 3 Series.
It still looks the same...
Well, there hasn't been radical changes to the car's design. The facelift focuses on updating the car to today's standards, such as offering bi-LED head lights as standard. The front and rear lights have also been redesigned to make the car look sharper. There have also been other subtle tweaks, such as the modified positioning of the reflectors higher up at the vehicle's tail.
The striking Sunset Orange paint is sure to make you stand out from the crowdThe interior has also been subtly upgraded to add to the cabin's elegance and style. Our car came fitted in a rather bold ivory White Dakota leather, and had Carbon Aluminium trimmings. The most noticeable change is to the infotainment system. The improved interface is much more pleasant on the eye, while retaining its ease of use.
How is it like to drive?
Well, the most important thing to understand is that while it may look like a sports car, the 4 Series Convertible isn't exactly one.
The updated infotainment system can now be optioned with Navigation System ProfessionalIt's not about speed. Powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine producing 188bhp and 400Nm of torque, the 420d has a good amount of low-end grunt for overtaking the bumbling trailer ahead of you. In a straight line, the 420d rides quite comfortably, even on the 19-inch alloys that it came fitted with.
It's when you go around a few corners that you realise that this isn't a sports car. The convertible roof mechanism adds noticeable weight to the rear of the car, and this does throw off its balance. The front axle and rear axle don't always feel as connected as you want them to be, and there's noticeable understeer when pushing the car hard into corners.
It still looks the same...
Well, there hasn't been radical changes to the car's design. The facelift focuses on updating the car to today's standards, such as offering bi-LED head lights as standard. The front and rear lights have also been redesigned to make the car look sharper. There have also been other subtle tweaks, such as the modified positioning of the reflectors higher up at the vehicle's tail.
How is it like to drive?
Well, the most important thing to understand is that while it may look like a sports car, the 4 Series Convertible isn't exactly one.
It's when you go around a few corners that you realise that this isn't a sports car. The convertible roof mechanism adds noticeable weight to the rear of the car, and this does throw off its balance. The front axle and rear axle don't always feel as connected as you want them to be, and there's noticeable understeer when pushing the car hard into corners.
Our car came fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox. It has a slightly vague biting point, but other than that it's a pretty good manual transmission. It shifts cleanly, and the throw isn't too far. It definitely makes the car slightly more engaging, what with having to actually work your left foot and all.
Under the hood lies a 2.0-litre diesel engine producing 188bhp and 400Nm of torque
So what's the point?
Admittedly, the 4 Series Convertible is less sporty than we would like it to be. The imprecise handling and lack of chassis rigidity mean that driving this car aggressively is certainly an exercise in slight diminishing returns.
The 4 Series Convertible is much more suited for pottering about town and cruising along the riviera than it is attacking corners on winding mountain roads. It's definitely a car that's made to be seen in. We lost count of the number of times people were just staring at the 420d as we slowly drove pass them whilst caught in Lisbon traffic. And there's nothing wrong with that at all. It's a stylish car for stylish people doing cool things.
The 4 Series Convertible is a stylish cruiser that will put a smile on your faceApproached the right way, it's a cheerful and humorous vehicle. Cruising along Portugese roads with one hand hanging out over the door, there's no denying the car's ability to put a grin on your face.
The 420d Convertible we drove is definitely a niche car that you must approach with a sense of humour. What you need to do, is to smile, put on your sunglasses, dump the clutch and pull off into the sunset.
So what's the point?
Admittedly, the 4 Series Convertible is less sporty than we would like it to be. The imprecise handling and lack of chassis rigidity mean that driving this car aggressively is certainly an exercise in slight diminishing returns.
The 4 Series Convertible is much more suited for pottering about town and cruising along the riviera than it is attacking corners on winding mountain roads. It's definitely a car that's made to be seen in. We lost count of the number of times people were just staring at the 420d as we slowly drove pass them whilst caught in Lisbon traffic. And there's nothing wrong with that at all. It's a stylish car for stylish people doing cool things.
The 420d Convertible we drove is definitely a niche car that you must approach with a sense of humour. What you need to do, is to smile, put on your sunglasses, dump the clutch and pull off into the sunset.
