Autumn 2013
A 4 for the
singletons
Professional young 30-somethings
with a family in growth might be
happy with a 3 Series saloon or
estate, but the singletons in that same
bracket will feel much happier, not
to mention hipper, being able to talk
about their own cooler coupe Beemer
quite distinct from those favoured by
their coupled and familied peers.
So we have in the new 4 Series a
significantly more sporty image than
the predecessor 3 Series Coupe
managed. A much more edgy front
look, wider and lower than before,
techier detail to the headlights.
In the profile too, there's a more
emphatic stance, lowered roofline and
suspension, a longer wheelbase that
provides a more substantial presence
as well as providing more room inside
for occupants. Large 18" wheels are
standard apart from the entry SE, and
the fastback rear has its own unique
take on BMW backsides.
The inside architecture is pretty well
taken from the 3 Series, with just
some individual trim finishings to set
it off. The rear has decent room for
two, even if that occasion will likely be
limited in the target market.
BMW continues to relentlessly work
on increased fuel efficiency, and the
4 Series benefits from the vary latest
iterations in the engine variants. The
biggest seller will be the familiar 2.0
diesel, but a range of petrol units
are also to be on the lists when
the car comes available later in the
year. There are 6-speed manual and
8-speed automatic transmissions
options, and xDrive AWD will be an
option early in 2014.
The familiar Comfort and Sport
dynamic choices are available, as
well as all the safety, connection and
entertainment gizmos from other
Munich models.
I took an introductory run across
northern Scotland in the car, in 184hp
420d and 306hp 435i guises. The
roads and terrain were quite ideal
to show off the car for what it does
best, tour the longer distances. Solid,
direct, well able to handle a range of
road environments, it was very much
on the button for a sightseer in the
Highlands.
With more to consider when it
arrives in Ireland, I'll back off further
comment until I get some extended
experience here. But after just that
brief time with the car, I can sense
that the 4 Series will likely in quite
a short time generate its very own
cachet in the wider world of BMW
drivers.
The new car has just gone on sale in
Ireland with a starting price of €47,130
on the road — less than €3,000 more
than the equivalent 3 Series saloon
— it arrives with three engine offerings
and five levels of specification. An
extension of interesting times.
Brian Byrne.
18
It's not readily available here, as global
demand is seriously impacting supply, but I
can already say that the new Range Rover
Sport will prove to be yet another winner
for Land Rover's premium brand.
I managed to spend a day in the first
one brought to Ireland, just to get a taste
of the changes and improvements that
have pushed the newest Range Rover to
potentially top of its class.
First, a declaration of interest. I have
driven Land Rovers and Range Rovers
in lots of fascinating places, from Iceland
to Bolivia to Argentina, and also in North
Africa, Thailand and Laos. I am a fan. The
second generation of the Range Rover
Sport is likely to keep me one.
The first one had shortcomings, mainly
because it was built on a shortened version
of the Discovery 3 platform. The main
complaint was somewhat tight room in the
back, but that didn't stop it from becoming
the most successful model in the Range
Rover brand, with some 415,000 units
sold up to the middle of this year, since its
launch in 2005.
The second generation Sport was
developed in tandem with the recent brand
new full-size new Range Rover, and uses
that vehicle's all-aluminium monocoque
build system. Like its bigger sibling, that
means there's been a substantial weight
loss, of up to 420kg compared to the older
version. Trimming of that magnitude means
much better fuel efficiency as well as better
handling.
The new car has all the style cues of the
modern Range Rover, and there are strong
signals of the previous Sport in the raked
rear window. It is longer than the earlier
version, and wider too, but significantly
shorter than the full-size Range Rover,
and lower. This version has a more steeply
raked windscreen, helping aerodynamics.
Overhangs front and rear are less.
In its own segment the new Range Rover
Sport has a smaller footprint than some
of its competition, but more interior space
thanks to a wheelbase 179mm longer
than previously. The inside style and finish
maintains the strong architectural look
of the brand, with top-grade wood and
metal trims. A completely new and very
large touchscreen mounted high on the