The new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé.

BMW will unveil the third and final member of its 4 Series range, the four-door, BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, at the Geneva Motor Show on March 4. The Gran Coupé, which provides four-door practicality, greater luggage capacity, and the sporty and elegant character of the 4 Series Coupé, will go on sale 21 June.

Sporty design is allied to four doors, 2+1 rear seating and more headroom, automatic tailgate, larger luggage compartment and folding seats as standard. But despite the increased usability, there has been no compromise on driving dynamics, with Drive Performance Control allowing the selection of tailored driving modes and enhanced ride comfort.

The new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé will be available in the same five trim levels (SE, Sport, Modern, Luxury and M Sport) as the 4 Series Coupé and Convertible, with the same high level of standard specification.

There will be a wide range of engine and drivetrain combinations from the powerful 306hp 435i, as well as xDrive variants, to the new 418d Gran Coupé, which has fuel consumption of more than 60mpg. Enhancing the appeal to corporate customers, CO2 emissions of both the manual and automatic variants is just 121g/km.

Design

The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé has exactly the same dimensions as the two-door coupé: a length of 4,638 mm, width of 1,825 mm and a wheelbase of 2,810 mm. However, the roof of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé is 12 mm higher, and 112 mm longer.

The typical BMW short overhangs, the long bonnet and set-back passenger compartment complement the design of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé to express perfect balance combined with a bold presence. Up front, both models are identical and share the typical BMW design features such as the double-kidney grille, dual round headlights with Corona rings and the large air intake in the front apron.

Gently stretched, the roofline flows across both rear doors and blends into the slightly raised and short rear section of the car. When viewed from the rear, the roof of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé appears somewhat wider than that of the two-door version, emphasising its road presence.

This extended roofline also has practical advantages. There is 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.

In the cabin, lines from the cockpit stretch along the front doors and the B column into the rear passenger compartment. They create a sense of unity, encompassing the front and back seats, as do the seamless transitions formed by the interior door panels.

The shape of the rear bench seat resembles the look of two individual seats, but the upholstered console surface between them can also accommodate a third passenger in the middle.

The back of the rear seats can be folded down as standard in the configuration 60:40 (optionally 40:20:40) to increase the load capacity to 1,300 litres, when completely folded flat– a best-in-class figure among premium four-door coupés. A flat floor and a two-part loading strip made of stainless steel are practical convenience elements that are combined with premium materials.

Also useful is the wide-access tailgate. When closed, the precise flow of the lid seams simulates the look of a typical coupé boot. This is helped by a clever solution whereby the electric motors that help move the boot lid are installed vertically and require very little space. Thus the area of the rear windscreen can be much larger and more sweeping like that of a coupé without limiting the space or visibility.

The standard automatic tailgate can also be ordered with the smart-opener feature whereby opening and closing can be effected with a sweep of the foot under the rear bumper. A sensor detects the movement and proximity of the key to release the boot lid.

When compared with a two-door coupé, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé offers passengers easier access when entering or leaving the vehicle thanks to the four-door configuration. The doors are frameless, having the characteristic design features of BMW coupés that emphasise the vehicle’s elegance.  These include the one-piece appearance of the side windows, with the B-pillar finished in high-gloss black making it nearly invisible, and rear window with a modern take on the Hofmeister kink create a homogeneous and high-quality impression.

Handling: comfortable ride with agile handling

The BMW 4 Series Coupé provides the basis for the sporty handling of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, which uses its suspension and axle layouts with corresponding dimensions for wheelbase and track.

However, suspension and damping have been adjusted slightly for the four-door version to account for the marginally taller body and extra doors.  Specific car body reinforcement measures and an innovative strut concept, a further strut connecting the suspension domes and the bulkhead, significantly enhance the stiffness of the front end to help steering precision and response.

The weight optimisation of all components influences the dynamic performance of the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé. Intelligent lightweight design, including the use of high-strength and extra-high-strength multi-phase steel, has been used and crucial, stiffness-enhancing components are made of micro-alloyed steel. As a result, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé’s torsional stiffness matches that of the two-door variant and it is only marginally heavier while remaining even lighter than its competitors. Consequently, the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé has superb driving dynamics, agile handling characteristics and a high level of precision without any deterioration in ride comfort, making it the ideal vehicle for a wide range of everyday uses.

Five powerful and refined engines at launch – two more later in 2014

At launch, the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé will be offered with a choice of five powerful, refined and efficient engines from the high performing six-cylinder 435i to the parsimonious 418d. All the diesel and petrol engines feature the latest BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, which give flexibility and efficiency, as well as immediate power when needed.

As with the two-door, the 435i Gran Coupé’s in-line six-cylinder 3.0-litre direct-injection TwinScroll turbocharged petrol engine with VALVETRONIC variable valve control produces 306hp, delivering exceptional torque from low revs, instantaneous power and the utmost refinement. The same technology is utilised in the 2.0-litre engine of the 428i, which along with Double-VANOS variable camshaft control produces 245hp.

The 184hp BMW 420d Gran Coupé, which comes with the latest-generation four-cylinder diesel engine, has impressive torque levels of 380Nm accessible 1,750rpm to 2,750rpm, exceptional smoothness and outstanding efficiency: CO2 emissions are as low as 124g/km.

Even at the lower end of the engine range incredible performance with economy are achieved by the four-cylinder 184hp 420i (0-62mph of only 7.5 seconds) and the 143hp 418d which comes with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology with variable-geometry turbocharger, and achieves 61.4mpg on the combined cycle.

As standard the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé features a six-speed manual transmission, but all engines can be combined with the optional eight-speed automatic or eight-speed Sport automatic transmissions, which features manual shifting using paddles on the steering wheel.

At model launch, the 420d Gran Coupé can be optionally equipped with BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive technology.

From July the range will be extended with the addition of two powerful diesels to the line-up. The top diesel variant is the six-cylinder engine in the BMW 435d xDrive Gran Coupé, delivering 313hp, while the BMW 430d Gran Coupé has an output of 258hp and develops a maximum torque of 560Nm. BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive can also be chosen on this engine. A 420i xDrive model will also become available.

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé in the UK

Reflecting the 4 Series nomenclature, the new 4 Series Gran Coupé will receive exactly the same high level of standard equipment as the 4 Series Coupé – but with the addition of a single-piece automatic tailgate as standard on all models.  

The new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé models are fitted with front and rear parking sensors, heated front seats, Servotronic steering, a Sport multi-function leather steering wheel and Xenon headlights.  This is in addition to Dakota leather upholstery, Two-zone air conditioning and Cruise control. Bluetooth, USB, Comfort Go, Drive Performance Control, iDrive Controller, 6.5-inch free-standing colour screen, DAB radio and automatic lights, wipers and boot opening complete the standard specification of all models across the range. 

All 4 Series Gran Coupé Sport, Modern, Luxury and M Sport models feature 18-inch alloy wheels and Sport seats as standard. Modern and Luxury customers can switch to standard seats at no cost if preferred. All Luxury and M Sport models will also receive the Media package – BMW Business as standard. 

435i, 430d and 435d models also feature electric front seats and metallic paintwork as standard. 428i models also feature electric front seats as standard.

EffcientDynamics in the new Gran Coupé

The elegant and dynamic character of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé is accompanied by excellent economy and efficiency. The source of this low fuel consumption can be traced to the BMW EfficientDynamics strategy, with wide-ranging innovations for intelligent mobility.

These innovations include the optimised fuel economy of the petrol and diesel engines, the lightweight construction concept and honed aerodynamics with features such as a smooth covered underbody and the use of Aero Curtains and Air Breathers.

Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop, the Optimum Shift Indicator and ancillary components that are activated on-demand also contribute to fuel savings and reduced emissions. The automatic transmission can also reduce consumption and even greater savings are possible with ECO PRO mode.

ConnectedDrive

The entire range of BMW ConnectedDrive options can be ordered for the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé. Among the highlights are Professional Media package with iDrive Touch, the full-color BMW Head-up Display, Driving Assistant, the glare-free High-beam Assistant, Dynamic Safety and the latest development stage of the Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function. Innovative interface technology also permits easy integration of smartphones in the vehicles.

This supports the use of the growing selection of apps available, for various entertainment, social media, news and travel information in the vehicle.

The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé goes on sale on 21 June 2014, priced from £29,420 OTR for a 420i SE, rising to £41,655 OTR for a 435i M Sport.

Ends

The BMW Group

The BMW Group is the leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 28 production and assembly facilities in 13 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2013, the BMW Group sold around 1.963 million cars and 115,215 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2012 was €7.82 billion on revenues amounting to €76.85 billion. As of the 31st  December 2012, the BMW Group had a workforce of 105,876 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

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