After years of mainly concentrating on odd
numbers, it’s the year of the eve number for BMW. Having launched its 4 Series
Coupé last year, the company is now padding out the line-up with the
Convertible that arrived earlier this year, and now the Gran Coupé that is a
compelling mix of sportiness and added practicality. So much so, that it boasts
the same amount of boot room as the 3 Series Saloon, and the extra flexibility
of a tailgate that adds up a rather dashing fastback design. Unfortunately, all
this extra practicality and joie de vivre results in a price hike of over
$4,975 compared to the saloon it is based upon, and is priced exactly the same
as its two-door sister car, the 4 Series Coupé. On offer are both rear and
four-wheel-drive cars, powered by a choice of four different flavours, in 418d,
420d, 430d and 435d guises.
The
specification of the Gran Coupé matches the coupe's, but includes a powered
tailgate
We’re sure that you won’t be surprised to
learn that the Gran Coupé is great to drive, with a low-slung driving position,
weighty, well-judged steering and the kind of handling that puts a smile across
your face on faster bends. And thanks to standard four-wheel-drive, you should
be able to benefit from this across all seasons, rather than taking it easy in
slippery months. The 2.0-litre diesel engine delivers great performance, and
even when pushed to the upper eschelons of the rev range, remains quiet and
dignified. The six-speed manual gearbox is light and positive in its action,
and hasn’t got the vibration at idle that blights other models in the BMW
range. There’s a little road noise transmitted into the cabin, but at motorway
speeds, the 4 Series soaks up the miles with ease. Ride comfort is expectedly
firm, but is decently pliant and soaks up the majority of surfaces without you
needing a visit to the chiropractor or for the dentist to re-seat your
fillings.
There
are some dodgy plastics inside, but the Gran Coupé's cabin ergonomics are good
The cabin design of the 4 Series Gran Coupé
will be familiar to anyone that knows late model BMWs, with plush feeling
materials that feel durable, and an attractive design. There’s a beautiful
weight to all of the buttons and stalks, while all of the major controls are
logically placed and clearly labelled. The seats are hugely supportive, with
near endless amounts of adjustment, so that anyone can achieve the holy grail
of a perfect driving position. There’s a decent amount of space for oddments,
including a good sized glovebox, large door pockets and space ahead of the gear
lever, including a pair of cupholders neatly hidden. Despite its shapeliness,
there’s a decent amount of head and legroom up front, and what BMW described as
a four plus one arrangement for the back. There’s a reasonable amount of headroom,
with a pair of rear chairs and an occasional middle seat.
There's
a useful 480 litres of space in the boot with the rear seats up and 1,300
litres with them down
A sizeable transmission tunnel will
dissuade anyone from using it for any length of time, though, but it’s a handy
addition for those rare occasions when you need to carry an additional
passenger for a short journey. Boot space is wide, deep and nicely sized, with
compartments handily arranged under the floor. The opening is wide, and the
seats tumble down easily at the pull of a lever.
