The new second-generation BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe adds four-door coupe style to the 4 Series range.
This is the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe – a new, four-door coupe offering that lines up as a petrol and diesel powered alternative for the new all-electric i4, and as BMW’s latest rival for the Audi A5 Sportback.
Like the standard BMW 4 Series Coupe, the four-door Gran Coupe shares its platform with the 3 Series. However, in terms of aerodynamics, body rigidity and chassis technology, the 4 Series Gran Coupe is claimed to usurp the 3 Series, borrowing the wider tracks of the Coupe and much of its chassis technology.
At the front, the imposing vertical kidney grilles are joined by a new bumper that features subtle differences to the coupe. The vertical intakes on either corner are still present, but the air intake beside it has been re-shaped. The Gran Coupe lacks the lower air dam of the Coupe, too. LED headlights and daytime running lights are fitted as standard, although an upgraded setup using BMW’s Laserlight technology is available as an optional extra.
The 4 Series Gran Coupe doesn’t quite share its profile with the stylish 8 Series Gran Coupe, but still features a rakish roofline that tapers down to a small spoiler on the boot lid. The car’s rear is completely different to both the 3 Series and 4 Series coupe, too with a new bumper design, different diffuser, fresh dual-exit exhaust tips and reshaped tail lights.
Against the tape measure, it sizes up at 4,783mm long, 1,852mm wide, and stands at 1,442mm in height at its tallest point. The wheelbase is ever so longer than that of a 3 Series too, while BMW has increased the boot space compared with the last model – it’s up by 39 litres to 470 litres.
As standard all models come with 18-inch M double-spoke alloy wheels and M sport exterior styling. Inside, there’s a premium leather upholstery, aluminium interior trim, and an anthracite headlining.
Australian specifications and pricing are yet to be revealed, so we take these overseas equipment lists as a guide for now.
For those who want to ramp up the sportiness further, there will also be an M Sport Pro Edition trim that upsizes the alloys to 19-inch M rims and adds an M Sport spoiler and black mirror caps, plus chassis upgrades that includes M Sport adaptive suspension, an M Sport differential and more powerful M Sport brakes.
Inside, the sportier trim switches out the aluminium pieces for piano black trim. Whichever model you choose, the 4 Series Gran Coupe comes with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel that’s paired with a 10.25-inch central infotainment screen. A heads-up display is an option. Front sports seats come as standard – and the 4 Series is a full five-seater, with a proper three-seat rear bench. The rear seats also fold 40:20:40.
Standard driver-assistance and safety features include front-collision warning, and cruise control with a speed-limiter function. Adaptive cruise control and BMW Driving Assistant Professional, enabling semi-automated driving on motorways, are both available as options.
The entry level price is covered by a 420i petrol model, powered by a 135kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine that can sprint 0-100kph in 7.9 seconds. Drive is sent to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
A 430i model gets the same 2.0-litre but produces 185kW, enabling a 6.2 seconds 0-100kph dash, plus a restricted 250kph top speed.
Performance buyers are catered to with the M440i xDrive model. This comes with all-wheel drive and comes with a twin-turbo 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol engine with 267kW. Against the clock the performance flagship storms from 0-100kph in just 4.7 seconds and tops out at 250kph.
Just one diesel will be available in the 4 Series Gran Coupe range. The 420d model produces 139kW from its 2.0-litre turbo-diesel mild-hybrid engine, and is available with rear-wheel-drive or an xDrive all-wheel-drive system.
John Mahony