428i

BMW introduced the 428i in 2013 as part of the new 4 Series, splitting the coupe and its derivatives away from the 3 Series to give the sporty two-door line its own identity. The 428i badge launched with the first 4 Series Coupe for the 2014 model year, and it quickly became the core four-cylinder petrol variant in the range. BMW then extended the same 428i nameplate to the Convertible and Gran Coupe as those body styles joined the family. The model was positioned as the more accessible, efficiency-minded alternative to the six-cylinder 435i, while still carrying the sleek proportions, rear-drive character, and premium coupe brief that defined the new series. In BMW’s own product history, the 4 Series story began in 2013 with the coupe, followed by the Convertible and Gran Coupe in the next year, and the 428i sat at the center of that first generation’s launch lineup. For the 2017 model year, BMW replaced the 28i designation with 30i across the 4 Series range, so the 428i nameplate ended after the 2016 model year. Enthusiasts often remember the 428i as the original mainstream engine choice for the first-generation 4 Series, especially in coupe form, where it marked BMW’s move to a separate, more design-focused coupe family.