COUPE models have always been easy on the eye with their sleek streamlining and sporty characteristics but sometimes they fall short when it comes to comfort, practicality and driving dynamics ... not so the BMW 4-Series coupe.

With its drop-dead gorgeous flowing lines, 19-inch alloys, sweeping headlight clusters, distinctive kidney grille and M Sport styling traits, the car has a very athletic appearance that is guaranteed to bring out the green eyed monster in bystanders.

Move inside and you are greeted by a wealth of technology and on-board infotainment systems.

This car costing £36,860 featured a number of optional extras which bumped up the asking price to £43,895, but introduced the likes of a head-up display, electric heated front seats with memory settings, internet access, online entertainment, enhanced Bluetooth with USB and voice control and a pitch perfect Harmon Kardon surround sound audio system.

All the instrumentation is perfectly positioned for driver usability and many functions are controlled through BMW's iDrive system which is one of the finest in the business.

The driver can access and control all the infotainment functions via a controller dial in the central console which works in tandem with a clear and precise display screen.

It's this simplicity which enables the driver to avoid distraction and concentrate on the task in hand - driving.

When it comes to performance, the 4-Series Coupe delivers a totally engaging driving experience with its low centre of gravity.

The 2.0-litre 190bhp diesel engine delivers all the power and acceleration you could wish for and the car's grounded footing and precise steering means road-holding is exceptionally assured. This means tight bends can be attacked with confidence.

The car sprinted from 0-62mph in 7.3 seconds and topped out at 142mph. According to official figures it can deliver combined fuel economy of 60.1mpg with carbon emissions of 124g/km.

Acceleration through the automatic gearbox is perfectly timed and can be as rapid or sedate as you want. And the steering wheel mounted paddles offer a little extra control if desired.

You will feel a few bumps and dips along the way and there is a little engine noise when pushed particularly hard, but it's not too loud in all honesty.

Another very positive feature is the xDrive all-wheel-drive system which reacts to changes in traction in one tenth of a second to keep you safe during those colder months.

Two-door coupe models are not usually designed to be practical buys, but the BMW actually offers quite impressive space for back seat passengers and the boot is generously sized too with a capacity of 445 litres. In addition, there are numerous handy storage compartments scattered throughout the car.

And of course, as expected from a premium manufacturer, the vehicle is packed with all the latest safety innovations to help protect occupants and pedestrians alike.