All-new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé launched in SA

With the original BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé having enjoyed significant success, a second-generation model is now being added to the latest 4 Series range in South Africa.

The new four-door coupé captures the imagination with its noticeably enhanced driving dynamics, a sharper design following the BMW brand’s new design language, a refined premium feel for its interior and a host of innovations in the areas of operation and connectivity. In addition to the driving pleasure and sporting elegance for which BMW is renowned, modern functionality is central to this gran coupé concept for the premium midsize segment. Comfortable access to the rear compartment, five full-size seats, a large tailgate and a variable-usage load compartment ensure the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé retains its model-specific skillset in everyday driving and on longer trips.

This time around, a performance version of the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé courtesy of BMW M GmbH is included in the line up. All 4 Series derivatives are built under a flexible manufacturing process at BMW Group Plant Munich on the same line as the all-electric BMW i4 and the BMW 3 Series Sedan.

Distinctive proportions, highly versatile interior.
The standalone character of the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé is clearly expressed in its exterior design. Measuring 4,783 millimetres in exterior length, 1,852 millimetres in width and 1,442 millimetres in height, it has distinctive proportions combined with dynamically stretched coupé lines. It is 143 millimetres longer, 27 millimetres wider and 53 millimetres taller than its predecessor, while the track widths have also grown – to 1,595 millimetres at the front (+50 mm) and 1,623 millimetres at the rear (+29 mm). The wheelbase of 2,856 millimetres is 46 millimetres longer than the predecessor’s and 5 millimetres more than the figure for the 3 Series Sedan.

The model-specific body concept results in a versatile interior offering generous amounts of space in the rear. The new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé offers 470 litres of boot space, the primary capacity in the directly viewable area of the boot having grown by 39 litres. Load capacity can be expanded to a maximum of 1,290 litres by folding down the sections of the rear backrest, with its standard 40:20:40 split.

Expressive front end, elegant silhouette, powerful rear.
Bold lines and surfaces with a three-dimensional structure are the defining elements of the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé’s expressive front end. Dropping deep down at its centre is the large and vertically prominent BMW kidney grille that transmits a feeling of assured presence. The slim full-LED headlights come with U-shaped fibre-optic light guides for the daytime driving lights. There is also the option of Adaptive LED Headlights with BMW Laserlight including BMW Selective Beam non-dazzling high beam assistant.

Precise lines, doors with frameless windows and flush-fitting handles, and powerful shoulders shape the elegantly sporty silhouette of the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, while the roofline culminates in a pronounced spoiler lip on the tailgate. Horizontal lines are the dominant influence at the rear end. And the low-slung, muscular stature of the car is also accentuated by a rear apron with vertical aero lips at its outer edges and a Black finish for its lower edge. The stylishly darkened full-LED rear lights extend well into the flanks.

Bespoke design features add dynamic flourishes to M Sport cars and the BMW M model. An M Carbon exterior package can be specified as an option, and model-specific M Performance Parts are available as part of the Genuine BMW Accessory range.

Interior: driving pleasure and spaciousness amid a premium ambience.
Inside the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, the high centre console and flowing surface structure running from the instrument panel into the door panels generate a cocooning feel in the front seats. The Start/Stop button for the engine is positioned in a classily designed control panel in the centre console, which also houses the BMW Controller and the buttons for the Driving Experience Control unit and electromechanical parking brake alongside the model-specific gearshift lever. The rear seat bench with folding head restraints allows three child seats to be fitted.

Sport seats and a Sport leather steering wheel come as standard. The dynamic style of the interior is accentuated in the BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé and in M Sport cars. The list of optional equipment provides extensive scope for individualisation. Driving pleasure and comfort can be enhanced with items such as seat heating and ventilation, Vernasca and BMW Individual leather trim options, Sensatec or leather coverings for the instrument panel, the M Sport package Pro, a large glass slide/tilt sunroof, ambient lighting and the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System.

State-of-the-art four- and six-cylinder engines provide clear boost for dynamism and efficiency.
The new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé underscores its vividly enhanced sporting credentials with a performance model at the top of the range. The BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé is powered by a 285 kW six-cylinder in-line petrol engine. The four-cylinder petrol engine in the BMW 420i Gran Coupé produces maximum output of 135 kW. And a 140 kW four-cylinder diesel engine can be found under the bonnet of the BMW 420d Gran Coupé.

All the engines team up with an eight-speed Sports Steptronic transmission with gearshift paddles as standard. Engaging the Sprint function prompts the powertrain and shift characteristics to maximise dynamic performance when putting in a sudden burst of speed or overtaking.

High body rigidity, optimised aerodynamic attributes.
The sporting characteristics of the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé are also well served by a low centre of gravity and almost 50:50 weight distribution. An intelligent material mix has been employed to optimise the weight of both the body and chassis technology. And the bespoke body struts at the front end and in the rear axle area can also take credit for the car’s superb handling agility and precision.

An active air flap control system comprising flaps at the top and bottom, plus air curtains and an almost completely sealed underbody optimise the car’s aerodynamics. The drag coefficient (C_d) of 0.26 measured for the BMW 420d Gran Coupé, for example, represents a reduction of 0.02 over its predecessor.

Sophisticated chassis technology with model-specific tuning.
Model-specific geometry, mounting and tuning for the sophisticated chassis technology in the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé imbue it with exceptional dynamic assurance. The two-joint spring strut front axle and five-link rear axle have likewise been engineered to reduce weight while increasing rigidity. Standard-fitted lift-related dampers enhance both sports performance and ride comfort. Depending on the spring travel, these provide extra damping to control body movement when driving over large bumps, as well as preventing excessive dive. The system reacts to minor imperfections in the road surface with low damping forces that produce high levels of comfort.

The lift-related dampers are particularly firm in nature on the BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé and on cars with the optional M Sport suspension specified. The adaptive M suspension available as an option combines the characteristics of M Sport suspension with electronically controlled dampers, and therefore offers the widest possible range of driving experiences on the sporty-to-comfortable spectrum. Variable sport steering is included with both optional suspension variants. Also available as an option are M Sport brakes (standard on the BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé).

The new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé comes as standard with 18-inch light-alloy wheels. Standard specification for the new BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé includes 19-inch M light-alloy wheels and an M Sport differential with electronically controlled, fully variable locking function in the rear differential. 

Wide array of driver assistance systems.
Some 40 assistance functions designed to enable comfortable and safe driving and parking are available as standard or options for the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé.

Advanced connectivity and new digital services.
The driver and passengers in the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé benefit from the extended possibilities provided by BMW Operating System 7 as standard. Customers can take their pick of control interface for the situation at hand: control display touchscreen, familiar BMW Controller, multifunction buttons on the steering wheel, voice control or optional BMW gesture control. There is also access to a range of highly advanced digital services, including the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and Remote Software Upgrades.

The standard BMW Live Cockpit Professional features a fully digital screen grouping including a high-resolution instrument cluster with a screen diagonal of 12.3 inches behind the steering wheel and a 10.25-inch control display.

The cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system offers extremely fast and precise route calculation and arrival times, real-time traffic data updates at short intervals and the ability to enter any word when searching for a destination. With smartphone integration fitted as standard, customers can use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via the car’s operating system. And the Remote Software Upgrades function allows improved vehicle functions and additional digital services to be imported into the car over the air.