BMW 435i 2013 review

The sporting prowess of BMW's mid-sized coupe is coming to the fore. The Bavarian carmaker has altered the nomenclature of its popular two-door range to 4 Series to differentiate it in price and performance from the 3 Series sedans and align it with the even-numbered naming convention already applied to the two-door 6 and 8 Series models.  Beyond the name, the ride and handling have been sharpened to match the coupe's edgier looks.

VALUE

The 4 has more bang for the buck than the outgoing 3 Series Coupe, reflecting the changes in the market (read Mercedes-Benz's new C-Class). An eight-speed automatic is now standard (a six-speed manual is an option) in place of the six-cog self-shifter and the array of techno-toys is also up a couple of generations.

BMW spokesman Scott Croaker says Australia is still determining final spec ahead of the local launch in mid-October. “It'll definitely be loaded with more standard features but I don't expect the price to be too far from the outgoing 3 coupe,” he says. Based on 3 Series Coupe costs, that points to a starting price in the low $70,000s for the 420d, rising to around $85,000 for the 428i and $110,000 for the 435i.

TECHNOLOGY

The three engines available at launch are lifted from the 3 Series - a 2.0-litre turbodiesel four; 2.0-litre turbo petrol four and 3.0-litre turbo six. Outputs are unchanged and all engines are paired with auto stop-start and brake energy regeneration to minimise fuel use.

The list of options is exhaustive, from Navigation System Pro, which uses a high-resolution display to project the satnav details on the 8.8-inch central display screen and is complemented by a touchpad on top of the iDrive controller that lets occupants write the letters of their destination with their finger. The system uses optical character recognition to read the result and copes well with abysmal handwriting.

A Driving Assistant Plus pack adds forward collision and pedestrian warnings, adaptive cruise control, LED headlamps with auto-dipping function, head-up display and a surround-view camera are but a few of the options.

DESIGN

This is the best-proportioned BMW in the range. Dropping a low, coupe body over a stretched 3 Series sedan chassis gives the 4 a meaner, leaner stance. The rear track is a full 80mm wider than the 3 Series but it avoids the flared-guard “boy racer” look by gradually extruding the entire rear quarter panel.

That width is emphasised by the elongated rear tail lights and the front air intake that extends across the car's nose. The vents - officially known as Air Breathers - just behind the front wheel arches have a Jaguar-esque look that BMW says is the optimal design to lower drag around the wheel arches.

The air intakes adorning the front apron are likewise reminiscent of the Benz “A-wing” and similarly reflect the latest aero efficiency, rather than being derivative. Inside, the regular 3 Series layout is lifted by a full leather interior. Rear legroom is more than adequate for lanky adults, though 180cm-up passengers will need to slouch to avoid their hair brushing against the tapering roofline.

SAFETY

No one has crashed the 4 Series yet so it doesn't have an ANCAP rating. Given it is based on the 3 Series, it's safe to assume a five-star result. Six airbags are standard fare and the inherent safety of the brakes and suspension are reinforced by a range of optional software designed to protect the car, its occupants and other road users.

DRIVING

The 4 Series coupe is all the sedan aspires to be, minus a rear seat. The handling - on the 435i launch cars fitted with the adaptive suspension that can be set for comfort or sport - is as crisp as a fresh-cut chip. Put that down to revised suspension and an extra brace from the front suspension mounts to the body to help keep the wheels flat and on track.

As the car rolls over the pockmarked cobbled roads of a Portugese village the most noticeable sensation is a muted thrum from the low profile 19-inch tyres. That level of insulation continues over a variety of road surfaces and while Australia's coarse-chip bitumen will be more demanding terrain, it shows refinement hasn't been sacrificed to achieve a sporty drive.

There's no more power from the trio of engines it shares with the 3 Series but there doesn't need to be - even the 420d will hit 100km/h 7.3 seconds after launch, while the 435i does it in 5.1 seconds. All-wheel drive models will be sold overseas with BMW's xDrive moniker but Croaker says there is no plan to bring them to Australia “at this stage”.

VERDICT

The coupe has the looks and the legs to be a stunningly good proposition.