What's all this about?

We've got out first look at the all-new BMW 4 Series Convertible, a derivation of the 4 Series Coupe and sister car to the 3 Series range.

OK, but are we going to talk about the kidn-

No. We are not.

Fair enough. What else can you tell me, then?

The big news is that the 4 Series Convertible has reverted to a soft-top roof construction, the first time this size of four-seater BMW has had such a thing since the E46 3 Series Convertible passed away in 2006. Its successors, the E92 3 Series Convertible and then the first car to be called 4 Series Convertible, both employed a folding three-piece hard-top. So this is the first 'Four' to have a fabric lid, if not the first 3 Series-based machine to do so. The chief reason for this material switch is weight-saving, as the new roof is around 40 per cent lighter than the item on the outgoing 4 Series Convertible, but it also can be opened on the move, at speeds of up to 31mph, while it takes 18 seconds to raise or lower it. An adjustable storage compartment in the boot means the capacity rises from 300 litres to a maximum of 380 litres with the hood up.

Moving on, what do we have in terms of motive power?

Priced from £45,785 in the UK, every single BMW 4 Series Convertible sold in the UK will be at least in M Sport specification. There's a higher M Sport Pro Edition to go at, as well as several option packs (including a Technology Pack) that further up the kit count. From launch, the flagship will be the M440i xDrive Convertible, which uses the 374hp turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine from the M340i, as well as the eight-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox and all-wheel drive. From launch in March 2021, there will also be two four-cylinder petrols, the 184hp 420i sDrive and the 258hp 430i sDrive, and one four-pot diesel, the 190hp 420d sDrive. Later in 2021, a pair of straight-six diesels should land in the 4 Series Convertible range, these being the 286hp 430d sDrive and then the M440i's derv analogue, the M440d xDrive Convertible, rated at 340hp. All the diesels and the M440i are also mild hybrids, with 48-volt electric technology helping to boost fuel economy on these models, and naturally the M440i is the most expensive model in the line-up, starting at £59,645.

Anything else you want to add? I mean, are you REALLY not going to mention that front e-

LEAVE IT.

Matt Robinson - 29 Sep 2020