Tuning cars and News: 2014 BMW 4 Series

There's a lot of talk about 2014 BMW 4 Series creating new nomenclature around what used to be the 3 Series coupe. This new 4 Series is a significant update on the two-door that used to wear a 3 on its deck lid, but it's no game-changer in the world of luxury coupes.
Don't get me wrong; it will likely exhibit performance chops along the lines of the 3 Series sedan that won our $46,000 Sport Sedan Challenge earlier this year, but it looked like too much of a sleeper when I caught up to it at last week's 2013 BMW Championship in Lake Forest, Ill.

2014 BMW 4 Series
A new model from 2014 BMW 4 Series should be a bigger deal than it's become, but after the X6, 1 Series, X1, Gran Coupes and GTs of the past few years, the 4 Series might be seen as ho-hum when it goes on sale next month.It's hard to tell that BMW has made it wider than even the previous 2014 BMW 4 Series as well as lighter and lower to the ground with a low center of gravity.The subtle design is made even subtler with a black paint job, which it wore on the display stand. With that dark color, the new 2014 BMW 4 Series side vents behind the front wheels, which caused such a stir when the model first broke cover online, are barely noticeable.
2014 BMW 428i

2014 BMW 4 Series
Indeed, the most improved angle is from the rear where the 4 Series loses much of the previous 3 Series two-door's trunk lid. Instead it almost appears to have the dimensions of a hatchback, but there is indeed a trunk back there.Drop yourself into the driver's seat and you're staring at an interior that's incredibly similar to the 3 Series sedan, which is no surprise. The 2014 BMW 4 Series does have an updated center display screen for navigation and the new version of iDrive with its touch-sensitive control knob.
2014 BMW 428i

2014 BMW 4 SeriesThe 2014 BMW 4 Series on display was also decked out in an optional red leather interior that was unflattering. The red seats and door panels looked fine; it was seeing the dashboard materials and their graining dripping in red that turned me off. I'd probably pick a more traditional black or tan scheme.
Ergonomics and space up front were terrific, but the backseat was cramped for me and our impromptu model in the photos below.The 2014 BMW 4 Series still appears to have a winning formula, but it will definitely take driving it to win me over.