BMW 4 Series loses its lid

BMW has official revealed the BMW 4 Series Convertible. Based on the 4 Series Coupe, the Convertible sports a three-piece retractable hardtop with a fully lined “noise-absorbing” headliner that the firm says ensures quietness and genuine passenger comfort under all weather conditions. It reduces wind noise by up to 2dB compared to the previous model.

The Convertible is 10mm taller than the 4 Series Coupe at 1,372mm, while the hardtop takes just 20 seconds to fold neatly into the boot. It can also be lowered at speeds of up to 18km/h.

Unlike earlier models, the new convertible offers wider access to the luggage compartment even when the roof is folded. An electro-hydraulc loading assistance system pivots and positions the folded hardtop in the boot as need to ensure maximum utilisation of the 220 litres of storage space. When the top is up, luggage space is 370 litres – 20 litres more than the 3 Series Convertible.

The redesigned optional windblock, which is now wider at the sides, and the three-temperature neck warmers allow for comfortable open-air driving at high speeds and low temperatures.

At launch, two petrol and one diesel engine will be on offer – a 3.0-litre turbocharged in-line six for the 435i Convertible, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol for the 428i Convertible and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel for the 420d Convertible.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual or an optional 8-speed Sports automatic transmission. Both transmissions are equipped with Auto Start Stop function as standard.

0-100km/h is dispatched in 5.6 seconds for the 435i Convertible manual, and 5.5 seconds for the automatic. It takes 6.4 seconds to hit triple digits in the 428i Convertible (manual and auto) and 8.2 seconds in the 420d Convertible (both transmissions).