REVIEW: Gran coupe, grand addition by BMW
Amid all the general bewilderment - not to mention criticism - regarding BMW’s revamped name designation policy with regard to its’ model line-up, it cannot be denied that even if you do not understand or come to grips with it, several very interesting new cars have emerged from the process.
We know now that all 2-Series cars are what used to be coupe and convertible versions of the 1-Series and ditto with the 4-Series with regard to the 3-Series. It is not exactly rocket science, I know, but you would be amazed at the confusion this has created among the BMW-buying masses and resulted in a flood of vitriol coming the way of the Munich giant.
As I’ve said before is their rival Audi which caused all this furore, what with the complete re-imagination of their model range and the introduction of a raft of niche models such as the A5 and the A7. This prompted BMW to re-evaluate the manner in which they sell cars.
Now that’s not to say everything they’ve done has been accorded widespread acclaim. Such as their new GT models in both the 3 and 5-Series have, at best, been accorded lukewarm welcomes from both media and buying public. I felt both were very good cars to drive, but dressed in the most appalling clothes. Both these hatchbacks (that’s what they are after all and no amount of linguistic dressing-up - ‘coupe-style utility’ etc - will diminish the fact) are, in my modest view, ugly and ungainly.
Therefore, when the new 4-Series Gran Coupe was announced, there was a general feeling of unease in these quarters that the new car would be another pig in a poke; it was, after all, unveiled as another five door machine with the potentially off-putting ‘hatchback’ label attached. But our worries were eased when we saw it in the flesh because what we have here is a car which is rather more practical than a conventional coupe and not bad looking at all either.
The Gran Coupe comes to the market as the third 4-Series contender - the Coupe and Convertible already having landed. Firmly in the cross-hairs of the Gran Coupe is the very successful Audi A5 Sportback - another coupe-styled five door niche model - which has been a big success across Europe for the Ingolstadt concern.
Having witnessed Audi’s success with that car it was inevitable that BMW would react and the Gran Coupe is what they have come up with by way of an answer. It is worth noting too that these cars are dimensionally very similar, have a broadly comparable choice of petrol and diesel engines and are priced along the same lines.
Visually the Gran Coupe does not stray wildly from the fine lines laid down by the regular Coupe and that’s good. Everything forward of the A-pillar is the exact same, but behind that the roofline gets raised a little and, of course, there’s three extra doors and an extra rear seat. I must confess that I was initially a little sceptical about the overall look (no more so than I had been about the A5, I have to admit) but it definitely grew on me the longer I was exposed to it.
The tester was the 420d version in M-Sport specification and there is no doubt it is a very dynamic driving proposition - and that’s not something you might have easily said about any diesel coupe in the not-too-distant past.
The engine is BMW’s ubiquitous two-litre turbodiesel which must be one of the most popular powerplants across a range of platforms which has ever seen the light of day. With 135 kW (184 bhp) on tap and a 7.5 second 0-100 kph time, you get a good flavour of what’s available to your right foot.
That enthusiasm has to be qualified by the realisation that this car is quite a deal heavier than the comparable 320d saloon and therefore not quite the same sprightly prospect, but its abilities have not been completely emasculated and it is still a perky enough driving proposition.
On the road the M-Sport suspension might be a little on the stiff side for some tastes, but it makes for a very impressive experience behind the wheel. The excellent steering further bolsters ride and handling characteristics which were right up there with expectations.
Indeed there is not much to quibble about really as the Gran Coupe ticks so many of the right boxes.
You could cavil at the tightness of the rear passenger area, where the wheel arches impinge on the outer two seats, but for a majority of people, I suspect, this will not be a factor in their purchasing choice. What will be more important, is the overall practicality, big boot and the driving dynamics and the car fulfils expectations on all three fronts.
While warning people of the usual caveat about BMW products that any added extras are going to put a fairly large hole in your pocket, there is little further criticism that can be added here as the Gran Coupe has marked itself down as a worthy and welcome addition to the company’s model choice.
And it certainly means that Audi no longer have this niche all to themselves.
€51,984 - €62,222 as tested.
rock solid two litre turbodiesel which cuts it both on performance and economy.
basic M-Sport specification is thorough, but anything extra will set you back a lot of dosh.
liked it a lot more than I expected.
