Published: 05/27/2014 – by Richard Bremner, Correspondent
Rapid Summary:
A variation on the 3 Series sedan, the new 4 Series Gran Coupe blends 5-door practicality with a sporty silhouette. Do not let the hatchback put you off, even though, as the Gran Coupe drives smaller than it looks.
What Is It?
The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is essentially a sleeker, sportier version of the 3 Series sedan. As an alternative of a classic trunk, the 4 Gran Coupe has a hatchback rear end which, along with its lower roof line, offers it a distinctive profile.
Like the other variations of the 3 Series, the 4 Series Gran Coupe is offered with a option of 2 various engines. The 428i gets a 2.-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 240 horsepower, whilst the 435i utilizes a 3.-liter, turbocharged 6-cylinder engine with 300 hp. An 8-speed automatic transmission is common on all models.
Rear-wheel drive is the default setup, but the 428i also delivers an all-wheel-drive version referred to as the 428i xDrive Gran Coupe. A 435i xDrive model will be added later in the model year.
What Physique Designs and Trim Levels Does It Come In?
The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is offered in only one body style, although it really is portion of a considerably larger loved ones of 3 and 4 Series BMWs. The core of the auto is derived from the effectively-recognized 3 Series, but the Gran Coupe officially belongs to the 4 Series household that also includes a 2-door coupe and convertible. In fact, the 4 Series Gran Coupe has all the exact same exterior dimensions as the coupe except for the height of the roof line, which is slightly elevated to supply far more headroom for rear passengers.
There is a related automobile recognized as the 3 Series GT that also has a rear hatchback configuration, but the GT is longer, sits larger and is intended as a much more spacious and sensible model than the sportier Gran Coupe.
On leading of the normal trim, the Gran Coupe is optionally accessible with 3 diverse packages referred to as Luxury Line, Sport Line and M Sport. Luxury Line provides bigger 18- or 19-inch wheels and substantial chrome trim on the exterior, along with special interior colors. Sport Line also gives a choice of 18- or 19-inch alloys, but its color scheme includes black trim on the outside and red trim on the inside. The M Sport package consists of unique wheels and exterior trim, along with a retuned suspension and blue brake calipers.
How Does It Drive?
Fortunately, the Gran Coupe delivers on its sporty appears. A semi-reclined, comfy driving position and an effortlessly mastered control layout make this BMW a simple drive, and an quickly pleasurable 1, also.
The smooth, precise steering, the engine’;s crisp response and the taut physique handle are all factors why it feels so rewarding, as does an optional 8-speed transmission that masks its shifts to great effect. The shifter itself is not the most user-friendly setup, but that is an situation across the complete BMW lineup.
Visibility from the driver seat is outstanding, encouraging you to enjoy the 4-cylinder turbo’;s functionality, which delivers enthusiastic thrust appropriate across the rev range. The car’;s manners can be enlivened considerably by switching the car’;s adaptive drive mode selector from Comfort to Sport, or even Sport+.
Dialing up Sport or Sport+ sharpens the accelerator’;s response whilst the automatic transmission holds gears longer to intensify the car’;s urge to satisfying effect. The 428i sounds pleasingly sporting, also, and even faintly like a 6-cylinder, even though its pulsing rortiness throughout difficult acceleration borders on the coarse.
A much more critical refinement problem is road noise, despite the fact that the test car’;s optional 19-inch alloy wheels probably intensified tire roar. If this is something you’;re sensitive to, we would recommend sticking with one of the smaller wheel alternatives.
These matters have a tendency to be forgotten when the Gran Coupe is presented with a twisting road, nevertheless, its precise and eager steering, sturdy road holding and successful powertrain encouraging spirited driving. Surprisingly, the Gran Coupe generates much more physique roll than may be expected, but this matters small in practice, the vehicle cornering with self-confidence and proving extremely effectively balanced proper up to the edge of its grip.
How Does It Rate in Terms of Interior Comfort?
It may well be referred to as a coupe, but the Gran Cabrio’;s cabin is quite generously dimensioned front and rear, although only for 4. That’;s because the rear seat is shaped to push its third and 4th occupants toward the center in order to avoid their heads from acquiring too close to the car’;s angled side windows.
It’;s not that much of a problem unless there’;s a fifth person to be carried, a mission advisable only for brief distances. Otherwise, leg- and headroom are sufficient, in spite of the Gran Cabrio’;s decrease roof line compared to a 3 Series sedan.
Even though it is an all-new model, the Gran Cabrio’;s dashboard is shared with the 3 Series sedan, 3 Series GT and the 4 Series coupe. It really is none the worse for it, however, being a higher-quality structure that is properly laid out. Nevertheless, if you’;re a standard user of infotainment systems you will want to order the big 8-inch screen, as the regular 6.5-inch is a bit challenging to see.
BMW says there are up to 17 cubic feet of storage space in the hatchback region, so this “coupe” is actually really practical. A wide opening and effectively-placed cargo hooks further add to this car’;s all-about usefulness as a day-to-day driver.
What Type of Mileage Does It Deliver?
The 428i Gran Coupe has not received official mileage numbers from the EPA however, but BMW says it expects to duplicate the numbers of the 4 Series coupe. With that in thoughts count on about 27 mpg in combined driving (23 city/35 highway) from the 428i.
What Are Its Closest Competitors?
Offered the special nature of this car’;s configuration, far more of its competitors fall into the compact sport sedan segment. Audi truly offers a related kind of hatchback in Europe, but in the U.S., the A4 sedan is the closest competitor. A particularly effectively-created interior, sharp handling and great fuel economy are pluses, but the A4 is a much less satisfying drive than the BMW.
Mercedes-Benz has an all-new C-Class sedan about to hit the industry, so it is worth a look even if it doesn’;t provide any sort of hatchback setup. The much less high-priced GLA-Class Mercedes offers hatchback practicality, but it cannot match the 4 Series for general refinement and luxury.
Why Must You Contemplate This Auto?
It has all the efficiency and handling of a 3 Series sedan, along with distinctive styling and a small added room in back. If you want anything a tiny diverse that you won’;t see on each and every corner, the 4 Series Gran Coupe is an intriguing alternative.
Why Should You Feel Twice About This Vehicle?
It’;s much more expensive and less practical for carrying passengers than the normal 3 Series sedan. That’;s a pretty considerable value to spend for unique styling.
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
