Built atop the F32 platform, the BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe is being promoted by the company as an “elegant four-door coupe with the handling characteristics of a two-door 4-Series Coupe.” Well you could look at it that way – a car you know with its body proportions distorted. In fact BMW now sells what’s essentially the same car, the 3-series, as a saloon, touring and Gran Turismo, and, under the 4-series label, as a coupe, convertible and now this; the 4-series Gran Coupe. To clarify, the Gran Coupe is simply the 4-series coupe with two more doors, and a hatchback instead of a boot lid. It’s wider and lower than a 3-series saloon. So we can say it’s a cross between a saloon and a traditional 2-door coupe but not a very spacious 4-seater.
The Gran Coupe goes on sale on 21st June in the US and Europe is will be priced from Rs. 24.30 Lakh.
From launch the range will consist of three petrol engines (420i, 428i and 435i) and two diesels (418d and 420d), available with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic gearbox. The elegant and dynamic character of the 4-Series Gran Coupe is accompanied by excellent economy and efficiency. The fastest variant in the lineup is the turbocharged six-cylinder 435i, which produces 302 BHP and can accelerate from 0-100 kph in 5.2 seconds. The most economical, meanwhile, is the 418d, which returns 26.7 KMPL and emits 119 g/km of CO2.
The source of this low fuel consumption can be traced to the BMW EfficientDynamics strategy, with wide-ranging innovations for fuel-efficiency. These innovations include the optimized fuel economy of the petrol and diesel engines, the lightweight construction concept and aerodynamics with features such as a smooth covered underbody and the use of Air Curtains and Air Breathers. Brake Energy Regeneration, the Auto Start Stop function, the gear shift indicator and other components that are activated on-demand also contribute to fuel savings and reduced emissions. Regardless of chassis spec, all Gran Coupes come with BMW’s Driving Dynamics Control that revises the throttle response, steering feel, shift mapping and Dynamic Stability Control threshold settings (as well as the adaptive suspension) to Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ configurations at the touch of a button.
Like the 2-door 4-Series, the Gran Coupe also offers an abundance of standard or optional technology that ranges from:
- BMW’s ConnectedDrive
- iDrive 4.2
- Navigation package with 3D graphics
- Touchpad-enhanced controller
- High-res Head-Up Display
- Active Driving Assistant collision warning
- Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go Function,
- Active Blind Spot Detection
- Lane Departure Warning
- Parking Assistant and Surround View Cameras
- High Beam Assistant with intelligent control for cars fitted with the LED headlamps.
At first sight, it looks good, if maybe not quite as magically striking as BMW would have you believe, nor indeed as beautiful as its big brother, the 6-series Gran Coupe. No one likes being crushed into the back of a coupe because the tapering roof does make it cramped for tall people in the back. But there’s enough legroom, and a big if shallow boot, and the hatch and folding seats are handy. One might be tempted to have it over a regular 3 saloon only if your regular rear passengers aren’t fully grown.
Photo Gallery: 2015 BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe
We will keep you posted on further developments, until then do let us know what you think of the 4-Series Gran Coupe!
