DESIGN
The new-look BMW grille divided opinion at first but with familiarity many have come to love it. It makes a powerful statement of intent from the front view, flanked by slim full-LED headlights and large lower air inlets. Viewed in profile, the eye is drawn to the frameless doors and flush fitting handles, while the sweeping roofline culminates in a spoiler lip on the tailgate. The new model is longer, taller and wider than its predecessor and as a result there’s more space inside. With the rear seats down, there’s 1,290 litres of space. PERFORMANCE
There are three petrol engines, starting with the 2.0-litre 420i; salient figures are 184hp, 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds and up to 41.5mpg. Next up is the 430i, with the same capacity but developing 245hp, to cut the 0-62mph time to just 6.2 seconds at a slight sacrifice in mpg. Top of the range is the M440i Gran Coupé; this is only available with xDrive all-wheel drive and develops 374hp from a 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine, giving a 0-62mph time of just 4.7 seconds. There’s also a diesel version of the 4 Series Gran Coupé, the 420d, which develops 190hp, hits 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds and achieves up to 56mpg. Both the M440i and the M420d feature mild-hybrid technology for efficiency, while all models have an eight-speed Steptronic transmission as standard. TECHNOLOGY
4 Series Gran Coupé infotainment runs on the latest BMW Operating System 7, which includes Intelligent Personal Assistant. This responds to natural commands like ‘I’m cold’ or ‘Get me home’ rather than set phrases. BMW’s Live Cockpit Professional includes fully digital driver instrumentation with a screen diagonal of 12.3 inches and a central 10.25-inch control display. Other tech features include Digital Key, which authorises up to five iPhone-owning friends of family members to be able to drive the car (you can limit the maximum speed for novice drivers). The My BMW App lets you plan trips, check the status of your BMW or book a service appointment. SAFETY
Around 40 driver assistance functions are available for the 4 Series Gran Coupé, some as options. Standard systems include front collision warning, Speed Limit Info, Lane Departure Warning, Park Distance Control, the Reversing Assist Camera and Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant.