Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. News

BMW’s 4 Series Gran Coupe is the ultimate no-compromise 4-door coupe

Stephen Edelstein
By

Following an online leak of images of the car, BMW decided to release full details of the 4 Series Gran Coupe ahead of its 2014 Geneva Motor Show debut.

Unfortunately for BMW, the styling really is the most important part of the story. That’s because the 4 Series Gran Coupe follows the same hair-splitting model pattern as the larger 6 Series Gran Coupe, which is actually a 5 Series with swoopier sheet metal.

However, while the 6 Series Gran Coupe turned out to be a fairly handsome car, its little cousin just looks like a 3 Series that’s been chopped.

Related

It’s not that the 4 Series Gran Coupe is a bad looking car, it’s just that it doesn’t move the bar past the 3 Series sedan or two-door 4 Series coupe. For a car that exists for no other reason than to woo buyers with its styling, that’s a problem.

Under the skin, nearly everything is the same as in the rest of the 3 Series and 4 Series lineup. Like its 4 Series siblings, the Gran Coupe will be offered in the United States as a 428i with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which produces 240 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque, or as a 435i with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six, good for 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque.

An eight-speed automatic will be the only transmission option in the U.S. Both models will be available with rear- and xDrive all-wheel drive. The 428i will get it at launch, while the 435i will get it later this year.

BMW says the 428i Gran Coupe will do 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, while the 435i Gran Coupe will do the deed in 4.9 seconds. An automatic-equipped 428i coupe will hit 60 mph in the same 5.7 seconds as its Gran Coupe counterpart, while a 435i is slightly slower at 5.0 seconds.

Interestingly, while it does have four doors, the Gran Coupe is actually about the same size as a two-door 4 Series; it really is a stretched coupe rather than a squashed sedan. Interior design and equipment are similar to that of a 3 Series sedan, albeit with a little less rear legroom.

Like the 4 Series and most 3 Series models, the Gran Coupe will offered in Sport Line, Luxury Line, and M Sport trim levels.

Pricing starts at $41,225 (including destination) for a base 428i Gran Coupe. The 428i xDrive Gran Coupe will start at $43,225, and the 435i Gran Coupe will top the range at $46,725.

The car will go on sale this summer, after its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month and a North American debut scheduled for the 2014 New York Auto Show in April.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Stephen Edelstein
Stephen Edelstein
Contributing Editor
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more
Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?
The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.

Read more