Gran design
TWO EXTRA DOORS MEAN BMW 4-SERIES HAS STYLE AND PRACTICALITY
Of all the recently invented niches, the swoopy four-door coupe is one of my favourites. I’m talking about cars such as Mercedes’ CLS, Audi’s A7 and BMW’S 8-Series Gran Coupe.
BMW also makes a smaller car called the 4-Series Gran Coupe and that’s the machine we’re testing this week.
It’s an interesting car. You might think the Gran Coupe is based on the 3-Series saloon because it’s got four doors, but in fact it’s based on the 4-Series.
That means not only does it get the 4-Series’s controversial huge nostrils at the front, but also a wider track front and back. Increasing the track also results in bodywork that’s pushed outwards to cover the tyres.
The 4 Gran Coupe is therefore a big car at 4.8m long and 1.85m wide (not including the door mirrors). Its wheelbase is the same as the twodoor coupe’s but there’s more headroom, a third seat belt, a tailgate and rear seats that fold and split 40/20/40.
In other words, it’s a more practical and family friendly car than the regular 4-Series.
I don’t mind the front end. I’ve got used to it and besides, you can’t complain that all cars look the same and then moan when a car is produced that’s recognisable from 50 miles away.
Overall, the 4-Series Gran Coupe is a svelte and fine-looking thing. And in the specification of the one we’re testing here, it’s a very fast and competent one.
BMW offers the GC with a good choice of engines, from a couple of four-cylinder petrols badged as 420i and 430i, to a 420d diesel, and the powerhouse M440i xdrive with a twin-turbo six-cylinder engine that produces 374bhp.
Surprisingly, although BMW makes a PHEV version of the 3-Series it doesn’t offer the same option on any 4-Series car, including the Gran Coupe. We’re testing the M440i xdrive because that’s the only version that BMW brought along to the Gran Coupe’s launch. As usual the xdrive part of the name tells you this car has four-wheel drive (you can have the 420d with 4WD, too).
All versions get an eight-speed automatic gearbox – and super slick it is, too. Just like the engine.
In the past a power output of 374bhp would bring with it an M badge but in the modern world it’s a mere piffling power rating and the M4 has over 500bhp.
But the M440i is more than fast enough with a top speed limited to 155mph and 0-62mph taking 4.7sec. It is a formidably quick family car.
But it’s not how fast it goes, but how it goes fast. The engine is silky smooth and makes a lovely noise even when you’re going slowly.
The M440i xdrive is not a light car and weighs almost 200kg more than the two-wheel drive 430i. If you love cars with plenty of feel and quick reactions that version might be a better bet than the ultimate horsepower machine.
Not that the M440i isn’t extremely competent through corners; grip is prodigious and there’s hardly any body roll.
I wish BMW didn’t persist with its ridiculously fat steering wheel rims as you get a better feel with a slimmer one.
The Gran Coupe’s interior will be familiar to any BMW owner. Along the instrument panel you get a huge number of buttons and knobs and BMW’S brilliant rotary controller.
This car has about the safest to use infotainment system of any car, luxury or budget. There’s an optional head-up display system that’s also excellent.
A bigger boot than the 4-Series Coupe (470 litres versus 440 litres) are pluses of the Gran Coupe, and slightly less rear headroom than a 3-Series saloon is a minus.
At £55,695 you get a lot of car with the M440i xdrive, especially compared with the seriously pricey M4.
But for most owners a 420i Gran Coupe at £41,650 makes more sense. Still quick, nicer to drive and still super stylish.