BMW says the 4 Series is being “substantially refreshed”. The new models include styling and suspension updates, and all models now have a lower centre of gravity courtesy of a wider track, revised suspension and improved traction control capabilities.

According to BMW, the defining feature at the front of the new 4 Series is an unbroken central air intake with an aperture that increases in size towards the outer edges, adding a more imposing presence and greater sense of width to the entire nose section.

The BMW 4 Series Coupé, BMW 4 Series Convertible and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé are now equipped with new twin LED headlights as standard. The headlights are composed of a familiar silhouette: flat-bottomed headlight tubes encircled by daytime running light rings, along with a dynamic cropped look, produced by the characteristic ‘eyebrow’ design. The tubes’ dark-coloured holders are designed to give the interior of the headlight assemblies a clear, cool, but technical, look. LED front fog lamps also form part of the standard specification.

The interior of the new BMW 4 Series range has an array of upgraded details. Examples include the surrounds for the air vents and the control panels in the doors now including electroplated inserts, while the switch for the hardtop roof in the BMW 4 Series Convertible and the integral belt guides for its front seats also have an electroplated finish.

The air conditioning and audio controls in the BMW 4 Series models are now bordered by chrome. The centre console has a high-gloss black cover panel. The sports steering wheel, fitted as standard in the BMW 4 Series, features a new rim wrapped in high-quality leather, with a modified lining that offers the driver a better grip.

There are also more options to choose from for the interior styling. Night Blue Dakota, Cognac Dakota and Ivory White Dakota leather have been added to the range – three new, very elegant upholstery colours that come with coordinated contrast stitching and piping. New choices for the interior trim, meanwhile, include Aluminium Carbon with Pearl Chrome highlight and Black High-Gloss with Pearl Chrome highlight.

Building on the existing sporty design and appearance of the BMW 4 Series, the Coupé and Convertible models now start with the Sport model, with the M Sport model available for all engines or as standard on the 430d/430d xDriveand 435d xDrive models in the diesel line-up.

The Gran Coupé models start from SE for the 420d/420d xDrive models moving to the Sport model as standard for the xDrive models. As with the Coupé and Convertible models, 430d/430d xDrive and 435d xDrive models come as M Sport only.

A wider choice of 18- and 19-inch light-alloy wheels exclusive to the new 4 Series is also now available. There are new wheels for each of the SE, Sport and M Sport variants.

New exterior paint finishes have also been added to the selection; Snapper Rocks Blue, a new shade of turquoise, and Sunset Orange.

The BMW 4 Series has a lower centre of gravity than the BMW 3 Series (Coupé: -40 mm, Gran Coupé: -30 mm, Convertible: -20 mm), a wider track at the front (+14 mm) and rear (+22 mm), plus specially configured kinematics.

The new BMW 4 Series Coupé and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé both now come with stiffer suspension, featuring more advanced damping technology and an upgraded steering set-up. BMW says these measures have resulted in a tangible improvement in both lateral and longitudinal handling properties, regardless of the load on board, with reduced roll, more neutral responses when driving at the limit, even greater straight-line stability and precise steering. This applies to the standard suspension, as well as the M Sport suspension and Adaptive suspension. High-performance tyres can be optionally fitted on all model variants.

There is also a choice of three diesel engines: the 420d with 187 bhp, 430d with 254 bhp and 435d xDrive with 309 bhp. Combined fuel consumption ranges from 47.9-70.6mpg with CO2 emissions of 106-155g/km.

Depending on the particular model, the BMW 4 Series Coupé, BMW 4 Series Convertible and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé can be specified with either a six-speed manual gearbox or eight-speed Steptronic transmission, which is already fitted as standard on the BMW 430d/BMW 430d xDrive and BMW 435d xDrive.

BMW has included a number of new features that enhance driver convenience for the navigation, telephone connectivity, display and controls in the BMW 4 Series.

The Professional navigation system, as standard on M Sport trim, includes a new user interface that features six large, tile-style icons over two screen pages. Drivers can arrange the tiles as they please, allowing them to move the menus they use most to the main screen. These control pads provide direct access to the relevant functions, as well as a live display of the linked content. The pad for the entertainment function, for example, shows the song that’s currently playing, with album artwork, while the route the vehicle is currently taking appears on the navigation pad. Once inside the menu, the next operating step is shown as a kind of preview.

BMW also offers the Digital Cockpit as an option for the BMW 4 Series, which gives the driver the choice of different digital display options for the instrument cluster. The fully digital TFT colour display featuring black panel technology for the cockpit which provides driving-related information in an individually selectable design depending on the driving mode selected.

COMFORT mode brings a more classic display layout, inspired by the traditional analogue instrument cluster, displaying speed, engine revs, a fuel gauge, engine oil temperature, current fuel consumption and the gear selected.

If the ECO PRO mode is selected, highlighted by the change in display to blue, the BMW EfficientDynamics technologies become the focus. This means that the driver is notified of their current ‘bonus range’ and brake energy regeneration performance, for example, which aids the adoption of a more economical driving style.

When SPORT mode is engaged, the display changes to red and prioritises performance-related readouts, such as vehicle speed, engine revs or the engine’s current output.

Compatible smartphones can be recharged in the BMW 4 Series without the need for cables, by means of an optional inductive tray. The tray is located in the centre armrest. Additionally, the tray establishes a wireless connection between the smartphone and the car’s external aerial for improved telephone reception – particularly in areas with a weak signal. This option also includes a Wi-Fi hotspot – which provides high-speed in-car internet access for up to 10 mobile devices – plus two USB ports in the centre console. Thanks to their current ratings of 2 amps each, both USB ports are also suitable for charging tablets.

The Apple CarPlay smartphone interface is available as an option, allowing optimum integration of an Apple iPhone in the new BMW 4 Series models.

The new BMW 4 Series models feature BMW Connected, a personalised digital mobility assistant. BMW Connected, launched in March 2016, is an all-encompassing digital concept that provides a seamless support tool, covering all aspects of personal mobility. Designed as a digital assistant in the form of an app, BMW Connected can be used in BMW models with ConnectedDrive Services specified. This feature comes as standard on the new BMW 4 Series models with the M Sport package or optionally available with the Professional navigation package.

BMW UK expects to sell about 9,000 BMW 4 Series Coupé models, 4,000 Convertible models and 10,000 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé in its first full year of sales.