A fling in Spain with BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe

By LEE PANG SENG | 21 August 2014
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The BMW 6 Series was launched in 2003 but it was 10 years later that a four-door Gran Coupé was introduced at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show to expand the range.


The German premium carmaker obviously saw the rationale in making coupé driving more appealing to those who value the convenience of a four-door car, and the response had been encouraging.

As the 6 Series bridges the gap between the 5 and 7 Series range, BMW decided that it could not be soon enough to apply the same successful formula down the line (the mid-size series in particular) and this came in the 4 Series Gran Coupé, the third addition to this new model range within the span of six months.


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Like the new X4, the 4 Series Gran Coupé was a smaller version, dimensionally, of the ‘role’ model and we again feel that this body styling was better borne in a more compact body form.

BMW ran an international media drive in Bilbao, Spain for both the X4 and 4 Series Gran Coupé and we opted to start with the latter just to experience the world of difference from the M3 Sedan we had driven a few days earlier.

True, it is not fair to compare them as it is like choosing between apples and oranges but we thought it would be a nice idea to get acquainted with a more ‘conventional’ model after some adrenaline inducing driving.

Before we delve into an equally interesting drive, we look at some dimensional perspective of the Gran Coupé against the two-door Coupé version that was introduced first.


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In physical standing, the four-door and two-door Coupé are of the same body length at 4,638mm and width at 1,825 mm, and share the same wheelbase of 2,810mm.

The difference is in the height and above the car’s waistline as the 4 Series Gran Coupé is 12mm taller and the roof is 112mm longer in a ‘gently stretched’ design with the rear flowing at a steeper angle to the bootlid.

All else is pretty similar with the front having the familiar family styling of two round headlights per side flanking the kidney grille and the large three-part air intake in the lower front apron, with ‘scoops’ for added effect.


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There is no mention of any difference in aerodynamic efficiency between the two 4 Series variants but we were told that it was marginal, with the four-door Gran Coupé’s Cd (dynamic co-efficient) value at 0.274.

The new 4 Series Gran Coupé is made available with seven models - four petrol and three diesel options - but only one was provided for the international media drive: the 428i.

The 428i is powered by a four-cylinder engine with BMW TwinPower twin-scroll turbocharging and direct fuel injection.


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Output is rated at 245bhp that remains at peak from 5,000 to 6,500rpm and lots of torque at 350Nm that develops early from 1,250rpm and plateaus until 4,800rpm.

The 428i Gran Coupé came with the eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission that promises lots of driving pace: 0-100kph in 6.0 seconds and a top speed electronically capped at 250kph, while the combined fuel consumption is said to be 6.3 l/100km (15.8km/l).


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Partial to four-door cars, we took an immediate liking to the 4 Series Gran Coupé for the convenience that it afforded us in storing our light luggage that included a backpack with our notebook and a camera bag: just open either of the rear doors and put the items on the floor.

And if we had more items to stow, the 40:20:40 rear seatrest could be folded down to enhance the boot area, which already provides a lot at 480 litres of space, the same as that for the 3 Series sedan.

Although the BMW came with M Sport package with adaptive suspension, M Sport suspension and brakes, the firm ride was typical of a BMW that would provide its passengers with a comfortable journey while taking to winding roads with equal gusto.


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We had a good taste of the latter along the route that wound through valleys and skirted hills: a Spanish driver in a BMW 3 Series (E46) who was probably familiar to this winding backroad that reminded us of the road to Fraser’s Hill (but better paved and slightly wider) put us ‘to the test’.

Using manual shift mode and keeping engine revs in the 4,000-6,000rpm range, we kept him at bay until the road straightened out.

There were a few stretches where overtaking could take place but the Spaniard did not have the M Power to pass, and even if he did, it was still a dicey job even though he might be familiar with the area.


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The 4 Series Gran Coupé handled the corners confidently to allow us the derring-do to drive through largely unfamiliar roads with gusto.

The electric power steering provided precise directional feel and the car responded smartly according to the turn inputs as we swirled the steering left and right for the corners that came in quick succession.

With the aluminium wishbone MacPherson strut front and five-link rear axle with lightweight steel construction, plus a host of electronically activated driving stability systems, including traction and brake controls, the 4 Series Gran Coupé felt right at home charging through the dynamically demanding winding section.


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The thick anti-roll bars, front and rear, also kept the car body on an even keel despite the near gung-ho speeds we were carrying through the respective corner.

Needless to say, we enjoyed that section of the drive thoroughly as for the most part of it, we kept our adrenalin in check, especially when passing through hamlets and towns.

A few of the media cars were flagged down by police after a short chase for driving too fast through residential areas, for which the speed limit was mostly 40-60kph: Other than a warning, luckily no tickets were issued.


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There were far too few ‘bad’ roads to speak of and our ride impression was limited to the few times we ventured off the route to take photographs of the car.

The car also came with the optional Dynamic Damper Control that offered at the push of a button the kind of ride we would like, ranging from ECO PRO (the most comfortable) to Sport+ that was ideal for hard dynamic driving.

It was easy to conclude at the end of the Spanish road experience that for the convenience of a four-door car, the 4 Series Gran Coupé would perform just as strongly as the two-door Coupé and was just as much fun to drive.
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SPECIFICATIONS: BMW 428i Gran Coupe


Engine: 1,997cc, BMW TwinPower turbo technology with twin-scroll turbocharging, direct injection


Maximum power: 245bhp from 5,000 to 6,250rpm

Maximum torque: 350Nm from 1,250 to 4,800rpm


Transmission: Eight-speed Steptronic automatic with Sport mode


Features: Three-part air induction scoops in lower front apron; electric power steering; higher roofline for four-door body design; front suspension with aluminium components; brake pad wear indicator and Brake Drying function; full colour Head-up Display; keyless entry & drive


Acceleration (0-100kph): 6.0 seconds


Top Speed: 250kph (electronically controlled)


Weight: 1,510kg (DIN)


Fuel Consumption (Combined): 6.3L/100km


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