Reason, that always sounds a bit like doing without. With the BMW 420i you actually do without power, torque and power. For this you gain sovereignty.
What does a sports coupé have to be able to do? If you want it to be fast, are 240 km / h top speed and a sprint time to 100 km / h of 7,5 seconds enough? If it should also look good, is a timelessly designed body with harmonious lines but a very eye-catching front sufficient? If you want it to be reasonably affordable, isn't a base price of EUR 47.300 plus plenty of options for extras enough anyway? Those who answer all of these questions with yes and also take a close look at the (few) competition will very often end up with this model: the BMW 420i.
Lots of horsepower, high price
Yes, exactly, our test car, that was only the basic model of this second-generation mid-range coupé that came onto the market at the end of last year. And of course there is much, much more going on at BMW in this series too. Gladly up to 510 hp and just under 90.000 euros. But the 4 Series is not (even) nicer with more power. The 420i is more likely to convince with its simple, timeless elegance. Our test car will still look great in ten or twenty years. Especially when we are only offered the oh-so-futuristically designed electric cars. We are still happy to take bets.
Let's stay with the design for a moment. The new double kidney front takes some getting used to. But - every bet, too - nobody will talk about it in two years. But we have to admit that we, too, were never able to get used to the exquisitely designed front during the two-week test. However, we didn't find the performance really bad either. Okay, that won't help you now either.
Fast as usual
The bonnet naturally begins above the kidney and the base engine of this series, a 2,0-liter turbo gasoline engine, works under this. For a BMW, 184 hp is not exactly full, but the unit is actually completely sufficient. Vmax and sprint ability have already been mentioned. The maximum torque of 300 Newton meters is available from just above idling speed to 4.000 revolutions, i.e. in a range in which you are mostly located. In fact, there is never a lack of power, unless you are in a particularly hurry on the motorway. Unless, for example, you've just switched from an M4 Competition. The variant with the mentioned 90.000 euros base price. The better is always the enemy of the good. But we want to be content with the good.
This also includes the well-known, formidable eight-speed automatic, which does its job just as attentively as in any more expensive variant. The vehicle is also taut, but not hard-sprung, it goes wonderfully safely into every curve and remains stable and predictable at all times despite rear-wheel drive. Speaking of which: If you want all-wheel drive, you have to grab at least the 440i xDrive and spend around 70.000 euros for it.
Okay in terms of price
It doesn't have to be, we prefer to treat ourselves to options for a few thousand euros, such as navigation and laser light. It goes without saying that you wouldn't be happy with a “naked” 420i for just over 47.000 euros. We would rather calculate with 55.000 to 60.000 euros.
Weaknesses? Naturally. There is no such thing as a perfect car. Due to the design, the space at the back is tight, and entry is not easy. The long doors sometimes make getting in or out of the parking lot or garage a pain. Soon the 4 Series will be coming as a Gran Coupé, then there will be four doors. It's much more practical, but it doesn't look that gorgeous either. If you very rarely take people behind you, have a healthy back and at least enough space between the car and the wall at home, we would recommend the “normal” coupé from an aesthetic point of view.
Voice control improved
Strengthen? In addition to the design, the sufficiently powerful and, in practice, sufficiently economical drive (6,3l standard, test: 7,1l), this naturally includes the BMW operating concept, which is still the most well thought-out and most intuitive on the market thanks to the rotary push button. And voice control has now also arrived in the premium area.
The first generation of the 2013 series, launched in 4 and replaced last year, was often accused of being actually just a 3 series with two fewer doors. BMW has now surprisingly and consistently changed that. Not only visually, it is almost 6 centimeters thinner than a 3-seater sedan. The 2,3 centimeters wider rear axle with fully variable differential lock as standard is of course much more important for a sportier everyday life. And the center of gravity, which is significantly lower at 2,1 centimeters. Curves are a pleasure and it doesn't damage the look anyway. So does it take more than this vehicle? We mean no, at least if you don't mean a coupé as a disguised sports car.
Technical data
Two-door, four-seat coupe of the middle class; Length: 4,77 meters, width: 1,85 meters (with exterior mirrors: 2,08 meters), height: 1,38 meters, wheelbase: 2,85 meters, trunk volume: 440 liters
2,0-liter turbo gasoline engine, 135 kW / 184 PS, maximum torque: 300 Nm at 1.350 to 4.000 rpm, eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive, 0-100 km / h: 7,5 s, Vmax: 240 km / h, standard consumption: 6,3 liters (WLTP), CO2 emissions: 143 g / km (WLTP), emissions standard: Euro 6d, efficiency class: A, test consumption: 7,1 liters / 100 kilometers
Price: from 47.300 euros
In brief
Why: Wonderful design, pleasant engine, low real consumption, very good operating concept
Why not: the large doors are a nuisance in everyday life, the kidney is a great argument, as is the price
What else: Audi A5 40 TFSI, Mercedes C 200 Coupé