BMW sharpens 4 Series range for 2017

BMW has sharpened its 4 Series range for 2017 with a subtle facelift, including LED lighting across the range, revised suspension and more accurate steering.

Distinctively restyled LED headlights replace the previous xenon units, together with redesigned air intakes and LED fog-lights across the range, while a new rear apron and LED tail-lights (for the first time on a 4 Series) identify the nipped-and-tucked Four from the rear.

BMW has also catalogued three new upholstery colours and and three new trim element finishes for you to choose from but, whatever is the choice will come with new electroplated detailing, a high-gloss black centre console and double stitching on the instrument panel.

Another new option for this year is a multifunction instrument display, which you can personalise to show what you think you need to know in each of the car’s driving modes, while the optional Professional satnav now has a tile-style touch-screen that can be re-arranged to make it more intuitive for you, and displays a constantly updated linked menu content.

The M4 Coupé and Convertible also get the new LED lighting, as well as the updated satnav and some interior decor tweaks.

What that pastiche of a popular SUV catchphrase signifies is that the upgraded 4 Series will be released in Africa in May this year in a choice of three turbo-petrol and one turbo-diesel engine, in each of three body styles of Coupé, Convertible and Gran Coupé fastback.

Rated outputs are unchanged at 140kW/400Nm for the 420d oil-burner, 135kW/290Nm for the 420i, 185kW/350Nm for the 430i and 240kW/450Nm for the 440i. The Coupé and Gran Coupé now boast a stiffer suspension set-up, with improved dynamics in both planes – regardless of whether you’ve specified standard, M Sport or adaptive suspension courtesy of revised mountings and damping.

This also has the welcome effect of making the steering more accurate, says the maker, with better feedback and improved straight-line stability.

MIKE OCHONMA