BMW 420D Cabriolet

 

Long, lean, low, luxurious, slinky, sexy, svelte...all apt descriptions of the elegant new BMW 4 Series Cabriolet.
It's a stunning looker, styled to appeal to people wanting to make a unique statement.
You will not go unnoticed behind the wheel!
BMW now has all the numbers covered in its model lineup..from the 1series, right up to the 7 series limo. 
The 4 Series cars are wider and a little longer than the 3 Series and it shows. There's plenty of room in the cabin of this two door, four seater. Once inside, you are faced with an easily recognisable BMW dashboard layout. The information screen is not as intrusive as some,  sitting just above the central panel, but low enough not to intrude in the drivers overall line of sight ahead.

Sliding in to the driver's seat for the first time makes an instant good impression. Snug, well bolstered and supremely comfortable, the seats are very inviting. Three heat settings in the front seats warm not only your backside, but lower back as well. They reach the selected temperature in seconds, and were very welcome on cold mornings.  
You'll need the key fob to enter and lock the car, but ignition is keyless via a dashboard button.

Bright bi xenon headlights and a reversing camera are among numerous standard features.
The model on test did not have a digital sound system(it's optional) but the standard six speaker setup is more than adequate. 
The 420 D has a default idle stop fuel saving feature. Despite slightly minimising fuel consumption, I left it off for my week with the car...the constant engine stop/start in traffic can get a little annoying.
What's not annoying and most impressive is the quiet efficiency of the 420D Cabrio on the highway. At 110 kph, the engine is ticking over at a lazy 1700 rpm. To further emphasise the 420D's sporting heritage, it's redlined at just under 5,500rpm.. an unusually high rev range for a diesel. Around town and at highway speeds, roof up, there's no trace of wind or road noise.  
Engaging cruise control on the highway on a long downhill run, in a lower gear, the 420D held the selected speed with superb precision.(Unlike some cars I've driven that can't seem to hold the set speed on similar hills.)
It take just 20 seconds to raise or lower the three piece metal roof. It's always a treat to watch the complicated mechanical wizardry do its stuff. The roof is automatically latched to the windscreen header rail.

Roof down, wind buffeting, even on the open road is kept to a minimum. There's no separate glass sunroof. (As in VW's EOS.) A removable wind blocking screen that fits over the rear seats, further enhances the serene top down experience. The Cabrio's body structure is extremely stiff and that's a very desirable trait in a convertible.There's no creaking, rattles or scuttle shake to be found here.
Room in the boot with the roof down is minimal as you'd expect, but there is a slot that could take some soft luggage...Roof up reveals more boot space. It's narrow but deep.. more than enough for several small items.

 

The 420D is powered by a turbocharged 2 litre diesel producing 135kw and 380nm, with an average fuel consumption of under 5 litres per 100 kilometres. It drives through an eight speed automatic gearbox.

It's a brilliant engine, quiet and responsive. In normal/comfort settings the 420 D is a sparkling performer, but engaging sport mode gives you even more grunt...triggering a rewarding smooth surge of power and a thump in the back as you press the loud pedal. 
(Selecting "Sport Plus" turns off the stability control, if you feel like playing boy racer. )
What you won't get however in the latest BMWs are jolting thumps in the back from a harsh, jittery ride. The current crop of Beemers seem to have finally overcome the brittle ride issues that bedevilled all BMWs from the 7 Series down, when "run flat" tyres with their stiff unforgiving sidewalls, were introduced years ago on all the company's cars.
Thankfully I can report the ride on the 420 D is very good. Engineers have given it just the right amount of compliance to waft over almost any irregular road surface. The Cabrio is fitted with 18 inch wheels.
Cornering is a breeze, and the well weighted steering ensures you are always in control.
I rate it a 9 out of 10 for the fun factor alone.

Access underbonnet is a snap. Pull the interior release lever twice and the bonnet lifts past the secondary safety latch without any fiddling about searching for a manual catch under the bonnet lip itself. A neat idea and one I've not encountered on any other car I've tested.
As is usual practice with BMWs, the list of options is long and expensive. Almost 40 extras/upgrades are available over the standard car. Choosing most of them will push the 420D Cabriolet's 89K price to well over 100K. But that's your decision.

The 420 D Cabriolet is both a supreme highway tourer, and snazzy urban cruiser.
I enjoyed my week with it and I have a feeling you will too after a test drive,as it offers the best of both worlds. The fun of a convertible and the hardtop security of that metal roof.
....... and did I mention it looks sensational?
Peter Sellen