By Mike Torpey on 2014-02-04 - Driving Force news editor and responsible for organising our daily output. He was staff motoring editor of the Liverpool Echo for 20 years.
Gran puts on a
four-star show
BMW has lifted the wraps on its new 4 Series Gran Coupe model which will cost from £29,420 when it hits the streets in June.
The four-door Beemer, seen as a rival to the Audi A5 Sportback, is the third and final member of the prestige brand's 4 Series range.
It comes in the same five trim grades as its coupe and convertible stablemates but boasts 2+1 rear seating and more headroom, automatic tailgate, a larger boot and folding seats as standard.
With its long bonnet and set back passenger compartment the ‘Gran' shares typical BMW design features - like the double-kidney grille, dual round headlights with Corona rings and the large air intake in the front apron - with the coupe and has identical dimensions bar a slightly higher roof.
That means more headroom in the cabin, especially in the rear, while the boot volume of 480 litres is 35 litres larger than that of the two-door version, and the same capacity of the BMW 3 Series Saloon.
And while the shape of the rear bench makes it appear like two individual seats, the upholstered section between them can be used for a centre passenger.
From launch, there will be a choice of five engines - from the 418d to the six-cylinder 435i, all twin turbocharged.
Even from the lower end of the power spectrum the performance and economy figures are impressive, the four-cylinder 184bhp 420i capable of accelerating from 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds, while the 143bhp 418d has the potential for 61.4mpg.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard, but all engines can be combined with the optional eight-speed automatic or Sport auto transmissions.
From July two powerful diesels will join the line-up in the shape of the six-cylinder BMW 435d xDrive Gran Coupe delivering 313bhp and the 430d with 258bhp.
Standard kit will be the same as the 4 Series Coupe, but with the addition of a single-piece automatic tailgate on all models.
Otherwise you get stuff like front and rear parking sensors, heated front seats, Servotronic steering, a Sport multi-function leather steering wheel and Xenon headlights.
There's also leather upholstery, two-zone air-con, cruise control, Bluetooth, Drive Performance Control, a 6.5-inch colour screen, DAB radio and automatic lights, wipers and boot opening.
Prices are from £29,420 for a 420i SE rising to £41,655 for a 435i M Sport.
BMW's Z4 roadster has been updated to include a fresh design to the exterior...
DESPITE its undeniable popularity, I wasn't a huge fan of the original BMW XI...
A HIGH performance range topper is joining the BMW X1 SUV line up in the shape...
Choose from one or more of the options to find the car for you.
Based on your search find the dealership
nearest to you.