Test drive BMW 4: three opinions on the coupe, which are criticized for the nostrils
Why everyone scolds new nostrils, what is xDrive good for and why it is so tough on the go - AvtoTachki.ru shares its impressions of the most controversial BMW of recent years
In February, BMW seems to have put an end to the "nostril controversy." The chief designer of BMW, Domagoj Dukec, harshly commented on all the attacks on the exterior of the "four".
“We have no goal to please everyone in the world. It's impossible to create a design that everyone will love. However, first of all, we must please our customers, ”explained Dukech, hinting that the design is criticized primarily by those who have never had a BMW.
So I'm looking at the new BMW 4-Series, and the only thing that confuses me is the modest 420d nameplate on the trunk lid. As for the rest, the Quartet looks harmonious and moderately aggressive, and even on these 18-inch disks from the “package for bad roads”. To complete the picture, the front number frame could be shifted to the right or left, like the Alfa Romeo Brera or Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, but that's a completely different story.
If questions periodically arise about the exterior of BMW (remember the same E60), then about its interior - almost never. Yes, fans of the brand will say that a digital device a la Chery Tiggo is a mockery of traditions, and I probably agree with that. But it is still possible to order a version with analog scales. In general, the layout of the front panel is almost a complete copy of what we saw in the more expensive X5 and X7. A classic Bavarian turn towards the driver, a minimum of clumsy and a maximum of style and quality.
A plump steering wheel with soft leather, aluminum washers, a monolithic block of buttons next to the central tunnel, decent graphics of a multimedia system - only the gear selector falls out of this ensemble. For some reason they decided to make it glossy. There are also zero questions about the build quality. The interior details are so coolly executed and precisely matched to each other that BMW is probably constantly discussing competitors in its R&D centers.
The front part of the cabin of the "four" is almost a complete copy of the "three". It should be remembered that the G20 sedan is far from the most practical car in the Galaxy, so don't expect feats from a coupe either. Yes, there is enough space in the front even for a tall driver and passenger, but the rear seats are rather nominal and are conceived primarily for short movements. There is little space in the legs, a low ceiling, and due to the finishing of the backs of the front seats with hard plastic, the knees will definitely be uncomfortable.
During the few days that we spent with the Quartet, I got tired of fighting off traffic light races. This is a real provocateur for Toyota Camry 3.5, old Range Rover and previous Audi A5. The 190-strong "four" with outstanding traction is capable of local feats, but nothing more. At the same time, BMW left us almost no choice: either the basic two-liter gasoline engine, or the M440i version, the price tag for which is comparable, for example, to the 530d. So the 420d is conceived in the line as a kind of golden mean, and it is these versions that are bought most often.
Of course, even two-liter "vagi" can bypass the straight line "four", but they certainly will not give the same amount of driving pleasure. In winter, the all-wheel-drive BMW 4 tends to be sideways at every turn. A little more traction, correction - and the coupe is already driving in a straight line. The xDrive system seems to read my thoughts and distributes the torque between the axles in exactly such proportion to provide fun, but without risk to health. In general, if you have never dealt with rear-wheel drive cars, then you need to start with just such a four-wheel drive "four". She will teach you how to ride in one winter. And the nostrils? You know, everything is fine with them.
Before this test, I agreed with myself that I would not write a word about new nostrils. What is the use of endless discussions if the job has already been done, and this grille no longer adorns the face of The 4 concept, but the front end of a production car with the 420d xDrive index. For me, it was much more important to understand whether the “four” has changed with the generational change as much as the sedan of the third series.
I first got behind the wheel of a new "treshka" at the end of 2019, and that car did not disappoint me, but rather puzzled me. "Treshka", although it has become faster and more accurate in communicating with the steering wheel thanks to the new steering mechanism, but still left the impression of a fairly fat car. On the move, she felt seriously heavier and lost her former acuteness of reactions and even, if you will, a greyhound.
It has more sound insulation, more elasticity in the operation of the suspensions, more smoothness, more roundness in reactions, more comfort in the end. Of course, this kind of character will appeal to a much wider audience of customers, but true BMW fans seem not to have expected this.
And what about the four? She is different. Tough (sometimes too much), like a monolithic slab, slightly nervous in sports modes and ... incredibly fun! I know, only the lazy didn't throw a stone into the xDrive all-wheel drive vegetable garden. They say the system works in a peculiar way and, in general, does not really save during bad weather and ice. And indeed it is. Immediately after an abnormal snowfall with such a clearance and a peculiar algorithm of the interaxle clutch operation, I was scared to sit down even in some not very deep gruel on the asphalt, not to mention a snowy track in yards and parking lots.
But while the car was somehow driving on toothless Velcro, it was cheerfully handed out sideways even in the gentlest corners. And even in Sport + mode, when the coupe was pretty relaxed from the electronic collars, it was filigreely soft and smooth to break into long sideways slides. At the same time, at the most dangerous moment, the assistants connected and returned the car to its original trajectory. It seems that with such assistants, even housewives will be able to feel like Ken Block for a couple of minutes.
Well, thanks to the German engineers for the fact that they have not yet deprived of the opportunity to completely turn off the stabilization system and remain with the laws of physics one-on-one. It seems that among car manufacturers for every day, only guys from Jaguar and Alfa Romeo still allow themselves such audacity.
Although in the case of the BMW 420d, the power is not so much. And in general, horsepower is far from decisive in the nature of this motor. Of course, diesel is a controversial decision for a flamboyant sports coupe, but it has one very important advantage. This is the thrust shaft at the bottom. Yes, when accelerating to “hundreds” or even up to 120-130 km / h, the “four” will surely yield even to some gasoline crossovers with preselectives. But almost any traffic light start with acceleration up to 60-80 km / h will probably be yours. It seems that these cars are bought primarily for such races.
To be honest, I've never been a big fan of BMW car design. For me personally, the most attractive car in the class of midsize coupes has always been the Audi A5, created by the Spanish auto design genius Walter De Silva. But even me, indifferent to BMW, these nostrils somehow surprised and even fascinated. This means that the designers in Munich coped with their main task perfectly. At the very least, no one will pass by this car without looking after it. And with what feeling he will examine her. Awe or disgust is not so important anymore.
In all other respects, the new "four" is the flesh of BMW with all the ensuing consequences. To the full set of advantages of a typical driver's car, all the corresponding disadvantages are added here. I'm sure this solid and tight steering wheel is good on serpentines, but in the multi-kilometer traffic jam on Sadovoe, I would have preferred something more pliable and flexible. I have no doubt that the dampers, tightened to the limit, perfectly resist body roll in sharp turns, but when passing tram lines in the Shablovka area, I would like something softer. It's scary to imagine how tough a 20-wheel coupe can be if the 18-inch car shakes so hard.
And yes, I am well aware that the Quartet is one of the sportiest BMW models and I know that for a softer ride in the company's lineup there are much more driver-friendly crossovers. But there are manufacturers who do not deprive people of the pleasure of driving beautiful coupes, demanding payment from them only in the form of money, but not comfort?
Although I know the answer to this question very well: they never did that. In this sense, the Bavarians have always had a hard time finding a compromise or some kind of balance in sports models. Their coupes have always been primarily sports equipment and only secondarily - beautiful cars for every day.
Therefore, I am even a little surprised at how rational the engine under the hood of this "four" is. A diesel engine with a decent power-to-weight ratio does not have any outstanding characteristics. Yes, the dynamics are quite decent, but with not very harsh handling of the accelerator pedal, the Quartet, oddly enough, is devoid of the nervousness typical of BMW and may even be smooth during acceleration. And fuel consumption within 8 liters per "hundred" even in metropolitan traffic jams is a bonus to the balanced nature of the engine.
Another pleasant surprise is a pleasant interior with a strict design and chic finishes. Here, the back row would be more spacious and softer suspensions - and, perhaps, I would reconsider my views. But for now, my heart is devoted to the new Audi A5.
