The 2022 BMW 4 Sequence Gran Coupe is the most recent of the 4 Sequence household to land with the all-electric i4 sizzling on its heels, each following within the footsteps of the common two-door Coupe and the brand new mushy prime Convertible. Simply as in years previous, 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 motive for this Gran Coupe variant to exist. In any case, the three Sequence 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 only 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 approach 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 (in addition to 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, vast taillights, frameless home windows and extra distinguished fenders. Eagle-eyed observers will even discover the 4 Sequence Gran Coupe adopts the brand new 2 Sequence’ 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 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 monitor, further chassis bracing, and distinctive suspension and steering tuning. The Gran Coupe’s higher peak versus the two-door means it doesn’t additionally share within the Coupe’s decrease middle of gravity, however irrespective of, because it’s nonetheless setup to be the extra partaking driver versus the three Sequence.
And although the present 3 Sequence is quite spacious, nothing beats a hatchback in relation to final utility. Cargo area 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 proven that 3 Sequence quantity to be inconsistent with different sedans and the quantity of stuff you’ll be able to really match inside. In different phrases, ignore the numbers. As an alternative, check out the above two trunks (4 Sequence Gran Coupe on the left, 3 Sequence on the proper), then inform us which you’d quite have. Loading gadgets into the hatchback is made extraordinarily straightforward with such a large opening, too — you get a power-opening hatch as normal gear. Plus, the 20/40/20 folding seats can lay down for max hauling capability. For those who ceaselessly have to deal with huge masses (or simply want the power to on a whim), the 4 Sequence Gran Coupe is a much better candidate for the job than the three Sequence.
Sadly, the other might be stated for dealing with passengers. Getting out and in of the 4 Sequence Gran Coupe is a problem, because the opening is slender and requires extra contorting than the three Sequence does. Numbers-wise, rear seat legroom is just diminished by 0.3 inch versus the three, however sliding out and in is the actual 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 huge on cargo room, or lose a bit of on rear seat consolation. The selection is yours.
Driving the 4 Sequence Gran Coupe — we solely received 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 attainable, the 48-volt system can present an 11-horsepower increase that may assist decide up off the road or get you shifting 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 brief) 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 related hits taken by the 430i Gran Coupe in acceleration, because it falls sufferer to an analogous weight acquire.
Dynamically, the M440i Gran Coupe achieves at a excessive degree. The M440i xDrive mannequin we drove was fitted with BMW’s non-obligatory 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 very good 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 street successfully, however rear-wheel drive — as we skilled within the M440i Convertible — would convey a way of enjoyable and playfulness that this automobile is presently missing. Fortunately, a rear-drive model is on its approach.
On the brilliant aspect, we nonetheless don’t have a foul phrase to say in regards to the six-cylinder engine and transmission on this 4 Sequence. The noise, heady pull and pure smoothness of BMW’s inline-six continues to be second-to-none. One may even detect the smallest, little increase 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 via gears with very good smarts and pace when left to its personal gadgets on a canyon street. 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 beneath 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 practically made up for in powertrain perfection. You might be endlessly entertained on a straight street with this candy engine. And it’s also possible to stick it in Consolation, and cruise quietly alongside whereas the adaptive dampers do a stunning job of absorbing poor roads. It’s a great compromise of functionality and luxury for a sporty commuter automobile — too unhealthy yours won’t be delivered with a touchscreen infotainment system due to the continued chip scarcity. You will get respectable gasoline economic system with the M440i xDrive not less than, 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 kinds.
Surprisingly, including a set of doorways and a hatchback to the 4 Sequence one way or the other 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’d like niceties like heated seats, ambient lighting, a head-up show, leather-based seats or BMW’s finest driver help choices, you’re going to need to pay an analogous worth. Nitpicking apart, the simplest approach to save cash on the 4 Sequence Gran Coupe is to easily purchase a 3 Sequence. Each the 330i and M340i xDrive value about $3,500 lower than their 4 Sequence Gran Coupe equivalents. Though we’ll by no means object to higher selection, contemplating that gear and efficiency are usually equal among the many pair, it finally comes all the way down to paying just a few grand for a hatchback and The Grille. That is a tricky ask. We’ll have the three, please.
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