[Tyler]

FAQ по BMW 4 серии F32:

Are there suspension or steering tweaks/improvements in the F32 compared to the F30?

The F32 is much more rigid than the F30. One way BMW has done this is by using a different suspension with extra V- or X- bracing from the subframes going back to the car's chassis. Also, the entire suspension is different from the F30. We know this car will be mostly driven with two people aboard and in a sporting way. Therefore, we have tuned the suspension for the performance minded driver who needs a coupe that can hold four people occasionally. BMW has tested its competitors car's chassis, and we (BMW) have the highest torsional rigidity in this class of car.

The F32's electric power steering has different programming to allow for a sportier experience.

How do the lower center of gravity and other suspension tweaks impact handling specifically?

While it's not something you can really feel, it's something you CAN measure. In a slalom or emergency lane change maneuver, it can be measured. The F32 is about 0.5 mph faster in a slalom (than the F30) and the car is more stable under a emergency lane change because the center of gravity is much lower than that on a F30.

Does the coupe still have sport suspension as standard?

No. It really was not standard on the e92 either (only initially when the car first launched). The F32 will come with a standard suspension, with two dynamic settings: Sport and Comfort. M Sport cars will have the same ride height as the standard suspension -- this is something new. Also, xDrive models will have a slightly higher ride height due to their use for driving on snow and ice.

Does the xDrive suspension on the 4 series have the same calibration as the F30's xDrive suspension calibration?

No, the F32 suspensions are all new in their tuning/damping.

Why is the xDrive version of the 435i faster than the non xDrive version, yet the same is not so for the 428i compared to the 428i xDrive?

Well... xDrive only adds about 70Kg's of weight to the car. And it really aids in low traction situations... so it should be no wonder why a car would be faster in acceleration from a stand still than a 2 wheel drive car. But, it should be noted that xDrive does add some weight where you really do not need added weight - in the nose of the car. This is why the M brand has deemed it less than "pure" for use in M models. But, for people who live in snowy areas... this is an acceptable trade-off for added traction in winter conditions.

How much more rigid is the 4 Series chassis than the E92 3 Series Coupe?

It is 60% more rigid, due to the use of added suspension cross bracing on the front and rear subframes linking the suspension with the car's chassis. We spend a lot of time on this - making the two door coupe stiffer.

How do the times around the Nurburgring compare to a similarly configured F30?

The coupe is faster than the sedan, but we do not have any 'Ring lap times to give you in terms of xx time vs yy lap times. We can say the F32 coupe is faster than the sedan due to the above mentioned chassis improvements.

Can we expect a M435i model in the future?

No plans of yet.

Any possibility for DCT transmission in the future?

No. The DCT will be for M models. The latest eight speed ZF automatic shifts so fast and cleanly, we do not see the need for a DCT.

It was rumored last generation that the coupes would form the 4 Series, but it was scrapped. What was it that made it happen this time around?

Not really my dept... so I can not answer as to why now. But, back then we did not have a X6 nor a 6 Series Gran Coupe, so the even numbering is fitting in with our model hierarchy. I think it makes it easier for the customer to know an even number is a coupe (or coupe-like) form and that odd numbers are our sedan models.

Any particular reason for the hood cutline position being in the middle of the hood instead of where it joins the grilles? Is there a technical reason for it?

There are a lot of reasons why, but mostly it is for pedestrian crash rules here in the EU and in the USA. We have to have "soft" areas in the front of the car and the only way to do this is to have that "cutline". We even make the hood of the car "softer" or more "friendly" to pedestrians impacts and design preformed crush areas of the hood for EU or US crash standards. But it's all a compromise, so we try to build a car that can meet all the modern day requirements today's car must meet and excel in.

* Some of the above has been paraphrased and are not word-for-word quotes.