![]() The Specs Type of vehicle All-wheel-drive, front-engine, compact coupe Engine 2.0L turbocharged DOHC in-line four-cylinder Power 241 hp 5,000 rpm 258 lb.-ft. The 2.0-litre, turbo-charged, inline 4-cylinder engine produces 241-hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. ![]() And with the price of premium fuel exceeding the $1.70 a litre mark in the Vancouver area this past weekend, every little bit helps. With its high-performance twin-scroll turbocharging system, direct injection, and advanced variable valve control system, the 2.0-litre power plant works hard to deliver a BMW-worthy driving experience while maximizing fuel efficiency. So I am man enough to admit that I was wrong to be concerned about the small displacement engine. In fact, they were just as strong on the eighth run as they were on the first. On the way back down from Cypress Mountain, the over-sized disc brakes proved predictable and fade free. I never found myself short on power, but I did miss the throaty rumble that typically comes along for the ride in vehicles fitted with larger engines. The gearbox worked seamlessly and the engine revs remained below 3,000 rpm throughout our ascent. The lightweight, 18-inch alloy wheels wrapped in performance rubber gripped the pitted asphalt as BMW’s proven xDrive all-wheel-drive system delivered a consistent flow of power to all four wheels. Handling was predictable enough at all times to inspire confidence in my driving abilities. ![]() The car tracked straight and true as I carved my way up the mountain highway, and very little body roll emerged as I carried a little extra speed through the switchbacks. The BMW 428i xDrive features an aerodynamic profile with loads of curb appeal. The winding road allowed me to look for faults in the handling department, but even with the extra weight on board the car’s suspension delivered a comfortable ride. A band of red anodized aluminum bisects the door panels and dashboard, while high contrast red stitching and piping decorates the seats and leather trim pieces. Our test vehicle was painted a deep metallic red, so a splash of red highlights added some flash to the rather business-like interior. In the event that hauling gear or cargo trumps people, the rear seats fold forward and flat which allows you to transport larger items in this tidy coupe. I am not agile enough to even attempt squeezing my large frame back there, but children and spry adults will be impressed with the fit-and-finish of the cabin. The rear seating area is designed for two passengers, and access is made simple by adding power seat controls to the top of the front seat backs. The rear passenger compartment has been designed for two smaller individuals, and access is enhanced by the clever mounting of a secondary set of power controls mounted to the outboard shoulder position on each of the two front seats that allow the operator to quickly and efficiently move the seats fore and aft. I stand 6-foot two-inches tall, so hats were out this week, and if I had been bald, I am certain that my head would be well polished. However, I was unable to find a truly comfortable driving position in this car as I couldn’t get the seat to sit low enough to keep my head from making contact with the car’s headliner. The front seats are a sport bucket design, and as such, provide exceptional bolstering and side support. Once seated behind the thick-rimmed steering wheel, it becomes evident that the cockpit environment has been carefully designed so that all the controls and instrumentation are situated in the optimal position for most drivers. ![]() The design team at BMW are famous for creating driver-friendly environments and the 4 Series cars are no exception to this rule. The compact instrument cluster is classic BMW with white markers that glow red at night. Article contentĪ slick character line runs the length of the car while a new rear bumper fascia is capped by all-new tail lights which now incorporate LED technology. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. ![]()
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