A few months ago BMW introduced the 4 Series Coupe (read our launch report here). That car was met with much derision because of the extra-large kidney grilles. This week a new derivative was added to the line-up in the shape of the BMW 4 Series Convertible. Click here to read about the recently launched BMW M3 and M4 at this link.

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Soft on top

The BMW 4 Series Convertible is based on the coupe that debuted earlier this year, except, it has a folding roof, as you may have guessed from the name. Big news is that BMW has ditched the folding hard-top it has employed on two previous generations. For the latest drop-top a soft folding roof has been re-introduced. Unfortunately, the bucktooth intakes remain on the topless 4.

Read up on the only two production BMWs to wear the CSL badge at this link.

BMW says that choosing a fabric roof has a few benefits including a 40 per cent mass saving over the predecessor and increased luggage volume to 300 litres, up by 80 litres. The roof can be electronically opened or closed within 18 seconds at any speed below 50 km/h. The soft top comes in black as standard and anthracite silver effect as an option. BMW says the 4 Series Convertible has an extremely stiff body structure with reinforced side skirt, additional convertible-specific bracing and a new aluminium shear panel in the front end.

Powertrains

The BMW 4 Series Convertible engine offerings closely mimic that of the coupe range. The launch line-up comprises two four-cylinder petrol units and a four-cylinder diesel, and the range-leading six-cylinder turbocharged petrol. All engines will be mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission. A 2,0-litre four-pot delivers 135 kW/300 N.m in the entry-level 420i. A retuned version of the same engine pumps out 190 kW and 400 N.m in the 430i. The M440i xDrive (for all-wheel-drive) develops 275 kW and 500 N.m of peak torque. The 420d produces 140 kW and max torque of 400 N.m.

Click here to read our BMW M340i xDrive review.

Standard kit

BMW has given the new drop-top a high-level standard fitment. Included in the list are electrically adjustable front seats with automatically extending and retracting belt feeders, leather trim and seat heating, a leather sports steering wheel, three-zone climate control and parking sensors front and rear. BMW’s OS7 is standard in the infotainment interface. The system is accessed by a touchscreen, iDrive Controller, steering wheel buttons or voice control. Cloud-based navigation using BMW maps is standard, as is smartphone integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Check out the newest BMW in action below on roads that may be familiar to some locals…