The 2022 BMW 4 Sequence Gran Coupe is the newest of the 4 Sequence household to land with the all-electric i4 scorching on its heels, each following within the footsteps of the common two-door Coupe and the new soft top Convertible. Simply as in years past, it’s the four-door model of the two-door 4 Sequence Coupe, and it’s rocking a hatchback, not a trunk.
If it weren’t for that hatchback, there could be little or no sensible purpose for this Gran Coupe variant to exist. In spite of everything, the 3 Series is on the market, and it’s out there in the identical efficiency trims because the 4 Sequence Gran Coupe is. That stated, lowering the brand new Gran Coupe to simply its cargo space isn’t doing it full justice.
Similar to the opposite 4 Sequence fashions, the Gran Coupe will get The Grille. Followers of the snout who need 4 doorways can line up proper right here, as a result of exterior of the M3, there’s no different technique to get ultra-tall kidneys with 4 doorways. Frankly, the Gran Coupe is probably the most acceptable wanting of all of the 4 Sequence variants, because the grille is healthier proportioned to the taller physique (apart from being loftier than the two-doors, it is also 2.1 inches taller than the previous Gran Coupe). It nonetheless stands out, however to a lesser extent. Moreover, you’ll get different 4 Sequence distinguishing options just like the slick, broad taillights, frameless home windows and extra distinguished fenders. Eagle-eyed observers can even discover the 4 Sequence Gran Coupe adopts the new 2 Series’ flush-fitting door handles — different 4 Sequence fashions proceed to make do with BMW’s conventional door deal with design.
Past aesthetics, the 4 Sequence Gran Coupe can also be rocking the identical chassis and dealing with enhancements as the opposite 4 Sequence fashions take pleasure in over the mechanically associated 3 Sequence. It has a wider rear observe, further chassis bracing, and distinctive suspension and steering tuning. The Gran Coupe’s better peak versus the two-door means it doesn’t additionally share within the Coupe’s decrease heart of gravity, however irrespective of, because it’s nonetheless setup to be the extra partaking driver versus the three Sequence.
And though the present 3 Sequence is somewhat spacious, nothing beats a hatchback on the subject of final utility. Cargo house is listed at 16.6 cubic-feet, which is definitely lower than the official 17.0-cubic-feet quantity BMW lists for the three Sequence. Nevertheless, our testing has shown that 3 Series number to be inconsistent with different sedans and the quantity of stuff you possibly can really match inside. In different phrases, ignore the numbers. As a substitute, check out the above two trunks (4 Sequence Gran Coupe on the left, 3 Sequence on the precise), then inform us which you’d somewhat have. Loading objects into the hatchback is made extraordinarily simple with such a large opening, too — you get a power-opening hatch as customary gear. Plus, the 20/40/20 folding seats can lay down for optimum hauling capability. Should you continuously have to deal with massive masses (or simply need the flexibility to on a whim), the 4 Sequence Gran Coupe is a much better candidate for the job than the three Sequence.
Sadly, the other could be stated for dealing with passengers. Getting out and in of the 4 Sequence Gran Coupe is a trouble, because the opening is slim and requires extra contorting than the three Sequence does. Numbers-wise, rear seat legroom is simply diminished by 0.3 inch versus the three, however sliding out and in is the true squeeze. As soon as again there, the 1-inch headroom discount additionally turns into obvious, as your 5-foot 10-inch tester’s hair was simply brushing the ceiling. Win massive on cargo room, or lose a bit on rear seat consolation. The selection is yours.
Driving the 4 Sequence Gran Coupe — we solely acquired to spend time within the M440i xDrive mannequin — is just like each different model of the 4 Sequence. Solely the 430i and M440i xDrive fashions can be out there initially, however BMW guarantees that each the 430i xDrive and M440i rear-drive fashions are on the way in which. The 430i makes use of BMW’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 255 horsepower and 294 pound-feet of torque. The M440i xDrive will get a silky 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six aided by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system good for 382 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. When doable, the 48-volt system can present an 11-horsepower enhance that may support choose up off the road or get you transferring faster from a fast stab of the throttle whereas at pace.
Sheer acceleration is the one efficiency space the place the M440i takes a backseat to the M340i and its two-door counterpart. It hits 60 mph in (a nonetheless quick) 4.4 seconds, versus the M340i xDrive’s 4.2 seconds and the M440i xDrive Coupe’s 4.3 seconds. Blame the Gran Coupe’s further weight on that slower time, because it’s 201 kilos greater than the M340i and 192 kilos greater than the two-door. You’ll see comparable hits taken by the 430i Gran Coupe in acceleration, because it falls sufferer to an identical weight acquire.
Dynamically, the M440i Gran Coupe achieves at a excessive degree. The M440i xDrive mannequin we drove was fitted with BMW’s optionally available Adaptive M suspension that provides electronically managed dampers. Plus, it will get BMW’s variable sport steering, M Sport brakes and the M Sport electronically managed differential. All of this gear and the chassis’ base excellence provides as much as a technically excellent dealing with automobile with fast turn-in, good physique management and excessive ranges of grip. Similar to different 4 Sequence fashions we’ve pushed, although, the expertise is a bit soulless. You’re attacking corners onerous with nice confidence; the chassis is greater than succesful, and acceleration is plentiful. However! It’s all a bit artificial and anesthetized. Its steering is correct, however restricted in really feel. The xDrive system will get you hustling down the highway successfully, however rear-wheel drive — as we experienced in the M440i Convertible — would carry a way of enjoyable and playfulness that this automobile is at the moment missing. Fortunately, a rear-drive model is on its approach.
On the brilliant facet, we nonetheless don’t have a nasty phrase to say concerning the six-cylinder engine and transmission on this 4 Sequence. The noise, heady pull and pure smoothness of BMW’s inline-six remains to be second-to-none. One may even detect the smallest, little enhance of electrical energy when these 11 serving to horses kick in. This eight-speed transmission has about the identical degree of polish because the engine does, because it rips by gears with excellent smarts and pace when left to its personal units on a canyon highway. Take management with the paddle shifters, and it’s much more enjoyable. Dropping the strong separation of an enclosed trunk to the exhaust exiting out below the bumpers means we get a fractional quantity extra exhaust noise filtering into the cabin, which is to our liking when every shift ends in miniature explosive blats in Sport Plus mode.
What BMW has misplaced by way of chassis and steering involvement, it’s almost made up for in powertrain perfection. You could be endlessly entertained on a straight highway with this candy engine. And you too can stick it in Consolation, and cruise quietly alongside whereas the adaptive dampers do a beautiful job of absorbing poor roads. It’s a really perfect compromise of functionality and luxury for a sporty commuter automobile — too dangerous yours might not be delivered with a touchscreen infotainment system because of the continued chip shortage. You will get respectable fuel economy with the M440i xDrive a minimum of, because it’s rated at 25 mpg mixed, equaling each the M440i xDrive Coupe and M340i xDrive. Rankings for the 430i Gran Coupe are additionally equal to the opposite physique types.
Surprisingly, including a set of doorways and a hatchback to the 4 Sequence by some means lowers the worth, because the Gran Coupe is available in at cheaper base ranges than the two-door Coupe instructions. Your financial savings are minimal at $600 much less for the 430i and $500 much less for the M440i xDrive, however taking place is healthier than up. Sadly, choices will ding you simply as onerous with the Gran Coupe. Our M440i xDrive tester began at $59,195 and ended at $69,920. If you need niceties like heated seats, ambient lighting, a head-up show, leather-based seats or BMW’s finest driver help choices, you’re going to must pay an identical value. Nitpicking apart, the simplest approach to save cash on the 4 Sequence Gran Coupe is to easily purchase a 3 Series. Each the 330i and M340i xDrive price about $3,500 lower than their 4 Sequence Gran Coupe equivalents. Though we’ll by no means object to better alternative, contemplating that gear and efficiency are typically equal among the many pair, it in the end comes right down to paying a number of grand for a hatchback and The Grille. That is a troublesome ask. We’ll have the three, please.
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