Tuesday, July 22, 2014

BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe

The 4-Series is the coupe version of the latest-generation 3-Series because of BMW's naming scheme to use odd numbers as saloons and even numbers for coupes but not at all. Last year, the 3-Series spawned a Gran Turismo model and it's not half bad unlike the rhetorically ugly 5-Series Gran Turismo which is a bit like an unholy product between a whale or a turtle. Now, in a terribly confusing way, the 4-door version of a 2-door version of a 4-door saloon, called the 4-Series Gran Coupe, has arrived and judging by the looks of it, the new model kinda feels like the twin car of the 3-Series Gran Turismo.

2015 BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe

2015 BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe

Oh dear, it looks like this car faced an identity crisis because in the view of many, since this is the 4-door version of the 4-Series, what on Earth did they think that BMW wants to stay true to their namesakes because with the case of having odd numbers as saloons and even numbers as coupes, looks like BMW begins to lie on us because I don't think they really did a good job on the naming scheme and if customers showed up on the dealerships, the theory is that the sales between the 3-Series Gran Turismo and the 4-Series Gran Coupe are on a balance because if they went to the 4-Series Gran Coupe, the 3GT will hurt in the sales department because what was the whole point about selling two cars with the same specs in one dealership? This is like when two identical objects suffer the same identical damages when dropped on each other.

What's the difference between the 3-Series Gran Turismo and the 4-Series Gran Coupe? Almost nothing except the 4GC is shorter than the 3GT in terms of wheelbase and it's shorter but despite being shorter than the 3GT, the 4GC is much roomier at the back and because the rear boot opens like a spaceback of some sorts, it's quite a versatile one.

2015 BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe interior


Yes, because the 4-Series Gran Coupe feels more of an identical twin to the normal 3-Series saloon and the 3GT, expect the same engine choices from them ranging from the 2.0L TwinPower-Turbo petrol, a 3.0L TwinPower-Turbo petrol, 2.0L diesel, and 3.0L 6-cylinder diesel engine. Oh, and BMW recently added a new version to the 2.0L diesel engine. This recent diesel engine, to be added on most 4-Series models, especially on the Gran Coupe, develops 218PS of power, 450Nm of torque, and can go 0-100kph in 6.5 seconds when equipped with an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

Like its 2-door derivative, the 4-Series Gran Coupe comes with chassis improvements allowing this car for a more responsive steering  but can get some minor understeering issues if you going on the bends too quick. It maybe precise when driven carefully but it can be quite harsh in the ride comfort stakes.

2015 BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe

Prices for the 4-Series Gran Coupe starts at 35,750 Euros for the 420i model up to 53,850 Euros for the 435i Luxury Line Steptronic. At that starting price, it's cheaper to own than the 3-Series Gran Turismo but more costly than the 3-Series saloon. The F30 one. The BMW F30 3-Series I'm referring. So, would you refer one than...well, you know what? They're all the same beings. You can use your mystic other-worldly powers to decide which.

Photo: BMW AG

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