Test Drive the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
The elegance of a coupe combined with the convenience of four doors
Test Drive the 4 Series Gran Coupe
As a successor to the previous 3 Series Coupe, the 4 Series debuted. Now, its derivative model, the "4 Series Gran Coupe," has arrived. This new model combines coupe styling with the practicality of four doors. Fumio Ogawa took it for a spin in Spain to bring you his impressions.
Text by OGAWA Fumio
A Product Unique to BMW
The BMW "4 Series Gran Coupe" blends coupe style with four-door functionality. A test drive event was held in Spain to coincide with its launch in Japan early this summer.
Bilbao, Spain, was chosen as the location for the test drive event. Situated in the Basque Country, it once thrived as an industrial city known for shipbuilding. After a period of economic downturn, it has successfully reinvented itself by emphasizing design and attracting numerous tourists.
"We chose Bilbao because it boasts many world-renowned architectural landmarks, such as the Guggenheim Museum, making it a fitting backdrop for the unveiling of the 4 Series Gran Coupe, a model characterized by its beautiful styling," explained Georg Hanzis of BMW, who led the development.
The car provided was a 428i Gran Coupe, painted in a vibrant blue. This model is equipped with a 2-liter, four-cylinder engine producing a maximum output of 245 ps. Although the steering wheel was on the left, many specifications, such as the 8-speed automatic transmission, were identical to the Japanese market version.
Upon setting off, the engine proved surprisingly powerful and revved satisfyingly to high RPMs, leaving a strong impression. It's a testament to BMW's extensive experience in crafting sports coupes and its understanding of market demands – a truly admirable achievement.
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
The elegance of a coupe combined with the convenience of four doors
Test Drive the 4 Series Gran Coupe (2)
Even those who choose a four-cylinder won't be disappointed
The 428i Gran Coupe shares the same 2,810mm wheelbase as the 4 Series Coupe, and its fastback body (featuring a hatchback) is also the same length at 4,640mm. However, the panels from the A-pillar backward are uniquely crafted, reflecting BMW's tradition of meticulously differentiating between sedans and coupes.
"The Gran Coupe maintains the sporty character of the coupe while adding enhanced everyday functionality," stated Georg Hanzis. "At the same time, it needed its own distinct personality. So, we extended the roofline to emphasize its elegance."
While the size of the hatch opening is crucial for body rigidity and preventing external noise intrusion, BMW opted for a larger opening for stylistic reasons. However, during the drive, noise intrusion was minimal even at high speeds, highlighting the car's excellent build quality.
The driving experience is, as mentioned, excellent. Naturally, compared to a straight-six engine, a four-cylinder might have slight disadvantages in terms of vibration, feel, and sound. However, considering the significant price difference – the 428i Gran Coupe costs 6.27 million yen in Japan, while the 435i Gran Coupe is 7.87 million yen – those who opt for the four-cylinder will certainly not be disappointed.
A key strength is the robust torque available from low RPMs (maximum torque of 350Nm is delivered from 1,250rpm), and the power can be enjoyed all the way to the redline. This is characteristic of BMW, which prides itself on being an engine company. The 8-speed automatic transmission, with its finely tuned gear changes for fuel efficiency, also ensures the engine stays within its optimal torque band when the driver prefers higher revs, making instantaneous acceleration feel exhilarating.
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
The elegance of a coupe combined with the convenience of four doors
Test Drive the 4 Series Gran Coupe (3)
Fostering an intimate relationship between car and driver
In terms of comfort, as noted with the noise intrusion around the hatch, the overall noise level is remarkably low. Furthermore, even with the "M Sport" suspension setting, which is the sportiest option, the car absorbed road imperfections smoothly. It navigated corners without any stiffness, providing a ride that can be described as comfortable.
The car responds obediently to steering inputs, a hallmark of BMW. The way the body settles into corners is masterfully controlled. Whether consciously or unconsciously, navigating multiple curves induces a sense of exhilaration, akin to the thrill experienced by sports enthusiasts.
The enhanced rigidity in the connection between the body and the front axle, which the press materials claim "improves steering precision and feedback," was clearly evident.
"While the 3 Series offers the GT variant for users seeking a more practical choice, the 4 Series Gran Coupe is characterized by its strong personal appeal," the developers noted.
Indeed, driving the 428i Gran Coupe through the varied landscapes around Bilbao – mountains, coastlines, flatlands with vineyards, and highways – the high level of communication between the car and driver, facilitated by its responsive nature, created an intimate connection. It felt akin to the sensation of driving a sports car.
BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe
The elegance of a coupe combined with the convenience of four doors
Test Drive the 4 Series Gran Coupe (4)
The Resulting Solution
It's interesting how coupes are generally considered more beautiful than four-door cars, likely due to the uninterrupted line flowing from front to rear. BMW, with its expertise in coupes, pursued a combination of coupe elegance and four-door practicality.
The solution they arrived at was likely the fastback style, which maintains a flowing silhouette by extending the roofline while satisfying functional requirements. The roofline is 112mm longer than that of the coupe, making it difficult to discern the presence of a hatchback without knowing.
Opening the hatch reveals a deep cargo area, convenient for storing items like golf bags. The rear seatbacks are foldable, allowing for the transport of longer items. This versatility should appeal to those who enjoy sports.
In terms of safety features (for the Japanese market), it includes Adaptive Cruise Control with follow-to-stop functionality, a collision mitigation brake with pedestrian detection, Lane Departure Warning, BMW SOS Call, and BMW Teleservices, which notify the dealer with vehicle maintenance information. These features also contribute to a more intimate relationship between the driver and the car.
BMW 435i Gran Coupe
Body Dimensions |
(Standard / Luxury) Length 4,640 x Width 1,825 x Height 1,395 mm
(M SPORT) Length 4,670 x Width 1,825 x Height 1,395 mm
Wheelbase | 2,810 mm
Tread Front/Rear |
(Standard) 1,550 / 1,600 mm
(Luxury / M Sport) 1,545 / 1,575 mm
Weight | 1,690 kg
Minimum Ground Clearance | 130 mm
Engine | 2,979 cc Inline 6-cylinder Direct Injection DOHC Turbo
Maximum Output | 225 kW (306 ps) / 5,800 rpm
Maximum Torque | 400 Nm (40.8 kgm) / 1,200-5,000 rpm
Transmission | 8-speed Automatic
Drivetrain | FR
Tires Front/Rear |
(Standard) 225/45R18
(Luxury / M Sport) 225/40R19 / 255/35R19
Fuel Economy (JC08 mode) | 12.7 km/ℓ
Trunk Capacity | 480-1,300 liters
Price | 7.66 million yen / Luxury 7.87 million yen / M Sport 8.03 million yen
BMW 428i Gran Coupe
Body Dimensions |
(Standard / Luxury) Length 4,640 x Width 1,825 x Height 1,395 mm
(M SPORT) Length 4,670 x Width 1,825 x Height 1,395 mm
Wheelbase | 2,810 mm
Tread Front/Rear |
(Standard) 1,550 / 1,600 mm
(Luxury / M Sport) 1,545 / 1,575 mm
Weight | 1,630 kg
Minimum Ground Clearance | 130 mm
Engine | 1,997 cc Inline 4-cylinder Direct Injection DOHC Turbo
Maximum Output | 180 kW (245 ps) / 5,000 rpm
Maximum Torque | 350 Nm (35.7 kgm) / 1,250-4,800 rpm
Transmission | 8-speed Automatic
Drivetrain | FR
Tires Front/Rear |
(Standard) 225/45R18
(Luxury / M Sport) 225/40R19 / 255/35R19
Fuel Economy (JC08 mode) | 15.2 km/ℓ
Trunk Capacity | 480-1,300 liters
Price | 6.27 million yen / Luxury 6.70 million yen / M Sport 6.68 million yen
BMW 420i Gran Coupe
Body Dimensions |
(Standard / Luxury) Length 4,640 x Width 1,825 x Height 1,395 mm
(M SPORT) Length 4,670 x Width 1,825 x Height 1,395 mm
Wheelbase | 2,810 mm
Tread Front/Rear |
(Standard) 1,545 / 1,595 mm
(Luxury) 1,550 / 1,600 mm
(M Sport) 1,550 / 1,575 mm
Weight | 1,610 kg
Minimum Ground Clearance | 130 mm
Engine | 1,997 cc Inline 4-cylinder Direct Injection DOHC Turbo
Maximum Output | 135 kW (184 ps) / 5,000 rpm
Maximum Torque | 270 Nm (27.5 kgm) / 1,250-4,500 rpm
Transmission | 8-speed Automatic
Drivetrain | FR
Tires Front/Rear |
(Standard) 225/50R17
(Luxury) 225/45R18
(M Sport) 225/45R18 / 255/40R18
Fuel Economy (JC08 mode) | 16.4 km/ℓ
Trunk Capacity | 480-1,300 liters
Price | 5.16 million yen / Luxury 5.59 million yen / M Sport 5.57 million yen
BMW 420i xDrive Gran Coupe
Price | 5.47 million yen / Luxury 5.90 million yen / M Sport 5.88 million yen
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