BMW

BMW 4 SERIES GRAN COUPE 420i M Sport 5dr Step Auto

Fuel

FuelPetrol

Transmission

TransmissionAutomatic

Acceleration

0 - 62 mph7.9s

WLTP - CO2 (g/km)

WLTP - CO2154 g/km

BMW's second generation 4 Series Gran Coupe offers a more flexibly stylish choice in the profitable sector for premium badged Gran Turismo-style mid-sized executive cars. For once, two rear doors don't compromise the visual appeal of a model of this kind, nor does their extra weight dilute the handling purity. Of course, there are more practical choices in this segment - and certainly cheaper ones. After trying this BMW though, you might not be quite so attracted to them. For brand enthusiasts, there's certainly plenty to like.

GRAN DESIGN

BMW's 4 Series Gran Coupe has evolved nicely in second generation form. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

BMW's second generation 4 Series Gran Coupe offers a more flexibly stylish choice in the profitable sector for premium badged Gran Turismo-style mid-sized executive cars. For once, two rear doors don't compromise the visual appeal of a model of this kind, nor does their extra weight dilute the handling purity. Of course, there are more practical choices in this segment - and certainly cheaper ones. After trying this BMW though, you might not be quite so attracted to them. For brand enthusiasts, there's certainly plenty to like.

Background

Electric cars are the future. But, for most people, not quite yet. Which is why at present, we find ourselves in this curious hinterland where brands must build, design and market the same kind of car both in combustion form and as an EV. Take the model in question here, the second generation version of BMW's 4 Series Gran Coupe. It's a GT-style mid-sized premium executive challenger; just like the brand's i4, launched at about the same time, based on the same CLAR platform and built at the same Munich factory. To be fair, the 4 Series Gran Coupe is a hatch, whereas the i4 is a saloon. And its interior's different from the i4 because the front of cabin design borrows everything from the two other 4 Series models BMW offers, the two-door Coupe and the Convertible. As with those two cars, the Munich maker has worked harder this time round to make both the styling and the drive experience more distinct from the closely related 3 Series model. Let's find out more.

Driving Experience

BMW claims the differences with this MK2 4 Series Gran Coupe are more than skin deep and will be equally evident in terms of drive dynamics. The chassis has been extensively tweaked over that of the 3 Series and there's a wider rear track that gives this car a 21mm lower centre of gravity than its showroom stablemate. Plus as usual, there's rear wheel drive (and optional xDrive 4WD) and classic 50:50 weight distribution. And that's just the start. The body and suspension mountings are stiffer and on standard suspension, this '4' rides 10mm lower than a '3'. There are firmer springs and anti-roll bars and clever lift-related dampers reduce body movement and sharpen corner turn in. Plus there's a freshly developed double-jointed spring-strut front suspension and a 5-link rear axle. Engine-wise, the key news is introduction of 48V mild hybrid tech for the 2.0-litre 184hp diesel engine in the volume 420d. The same mild hybrid tech also features with the quickest conventional petrol variant too, the six cylinder 374hp M440i xDrive. A flagship M4 model will follow. Two conventional 2.0-litre petrol turbo versions also feature, the 420i (184hp) and the 430i (258hp). All the engines link up as standard with eight-speed Steptronic auto transmission, which can now be specified with a new optional Sprint function.

Design and Build

As with the Coupe and Convertible 4 Series models, the big talking point here is BMW's controversial large kidney grille. We also ought to be talking about the fact that this is now a slightly larger car, 143mm longer than its predecessor and also fractionally wider and taller, with a wider track. Like its showroom cousins, this car gets an aerodynamically optimised design that includes a completely sealed underbody and an air flap control system in the grille. The CLAR mixed steel-and-alloy platform that underpinned the previous version of this car is retained, but BMW has tried to reduce its weight through greater use of aluminium panels. Inside, the cabin follows some of the latest BMW design trends, with a revised dash layout including a smarter drive selector and a start button in the centre console. The 'BMW Live Cockpit Professional' dash set-up is standard, offering a fully digital screen layout that gives you a high-resolution 12.3-inch instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and a 10.25-inch iDrive infotainment Central Control Display. There are also re-designed sports seats and the option of a revised head-up display.

Market and Model

Sporty 'M Sport' trim is standardised this time round and prices start from around £40,000 for the entry-level 420i. There's a further £2,500 premium if you want the 420d diesel version - which can be had with xDrive 4WD for another £1,500 more. You're looking at around £45,000 for a 430i. And think in terms of around £55,000 if you want the M440i xDrive model. As an option, there's an 'M Sport Pro' package which includes a special 'Sprint' function for additional bursts of speed and a sporty engine soundtrack in the cabin when the 'SPORT' driving mode is activated. Plus you get M sport brakes, 19-inch 'M light' alloy wheels, a rear spoiler in a high-gloss black, BMW individual high-gloss 'Shadowline' trim with extended features and BMW individual lights and M seat belts. You might also be interested in a browse through the M Performance Parts portfolio, from which you can order things like 20-inch M Performance forged light alloy wheels in a Y-spoke design with a Jet Black matt finish. Or maybe a carbon fibre finish for the front grille, front splitter and side skirts, as well as aero flicks for the front apron in high-gloss black.

Cost of Ownership

Mild hybrid technology has been included with all diesel engines and with the straight-six petrol unit of the flagship BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupe. Fitting a 48V starter-generator and second battery greatly increases the scope for utilising Brake Energy Regeneration and the electrical power it produces. The recuperated energy collected by the 48V battery can be supplied to the 12V electrical system or used for generating additional drive power when fed back to the 48V starter-generator. When the car is accelerating, the generator is also able to offer the driver an electric boost effect that instantly makes an extra 11hp available. All of which should promise a competitive set of efficiency stats, though they're way down on what you'd get from an identically-engined 4 Series 2-door Coupe. We'll start with the petrol models. The 420i manages up to 42.8mpg on the combined cycle and up to 150g/km of CO2. For the 430i version, the figures are up to 41.5mpg and up to 156g/km. For the M440i xDrive, the figures are up to 35.3mpg and up to 181g/km. What about the diesels? For the 420d, the official figures are up 58.9mpg and up to 126g/km. For the 420d xDrive version, it's up to 55.4mpg and up to 133g/km.

Summary

One great car can create many such models. Certainly, there seems to be an almost never-ending series of ways that BMW can use the underpinnings of their segment-defining 3 Series saloon to suit ever-changing customer preferences. Here perhaps, in this good looking second generation 4 Series Gran Coupe, we have the most appealing example yet of what this Munich maker can do in the mid-sized executive segment. Not all cars that claim to be 'coupes' are stylish enough to really deserve that title - particularly those that must also accommodate two rear passenger doors. This improved Gran Coupe though, wears its badge credibly yet still offers enough practicality to justify its existence. Overall, if you're looking at buying a conventional premium badged mid-sized executive model, you may well not already have this Gran Coupe on your wish list. If so, then perhaps it ought to be. After all, just for once, the kind of car you've dreamed about may also need to be the one you really need to choose.

  • Acoustic glazing
  • Windscreen wipers with integrated washing jets
  • Green tinted heat protection glazing
  • Electric windows - front and rear, with open/close fingertip control, anti trap facility and comfort closing function all round
  • Automatic windscreen wipers and automatic headlight

  • Hill start assistant
  • Dry braking
  • Electromechanical parking brake including automatic hold function and automatic release of the parking brake when pulling away
  • Coasting in idle in ECO PRO mode
  • Dynamic stability control + (DSC+) - Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with brake assist and cornering brake control + Automatic Stability Control (ASC)
  • Electronic differential lock control (EDLC)
  • Front and rear ventilated brake disc
  • Braking pre-tensioning
  • CBC - (Cornering brake control)
  • Dynamic brake control
  • Dynamic Traction Control - DTC
  • Brake energy regeneration

  • Velour front floor mats

  • Low centre of gravity
  • Stroke dependent dampers
  • Drive performance control - ECO PRO, comfort and sport modes
  • M sport suspension

  • Bluetooth hands free facility with USB audio interface with audio streaming

  • Electric power steering with Servotronic steering optimised at all speed ranges
  • Electric power steering
  • Cruise control with brake assist
  • Variable sport steering
  • Attentiveness assist
  • Active guard plus

  • Auto start-stop
  • Electric bootlid

  • BMW Live Cockpit Professional Nav with 12.3" instrument display + 10.25" display, Intelligent Voice Assist, BMW OS 7, HDD, 2USB, 4G LTE connect
  • Condition based service
  • Oil sensor for level and grade, warning by check control system
  • On board computer - average speed, fuel consumption, outside temp display with acoustic warning, clock/date, service interval, odometer/trip meter
  • Integrated owners handbook
  • Gearshift time display in manual mode
  • BMW service history
  • BMW ConnectedDrive online services
  • BMW emergency call
  • BMW Teleservices
  • iDrive controller on centre console
  • Optimum shift indicator
  • Check Control warning system for monitoring of lights and door/luggage compartment open warning
  • Brake pad wear indicator in front and rear
  • Instrument cluster with speedometer with mph readout, tachometer, fuel gauge and oil temperature gauge

  • Interior rear view electrochromatic mirror with automatic anti dazzle function
  • Exterior mirrors - electrically folding with anti-dazzle
  • Automatically dimming electrochromatic rear view mirror

  • Sensatec instrument panel

  • Petrol Particulate Filter
  • High precision injection
  • VALVETRONIC engine management
  • Double VANOS

  • Electronic service booklet
  • DAB tuner

  • Brushed aluminium inserts in the front door sill finishers with BMW designation
  • Model designation on right side of tailgate
  • Front and rear bumper system
  • High gloss shadow line exterior trim
  • Lightweight engineering
  • Visible VIN plate
  • Body colour fuel filler flap
  • Fading support
  • Exhaust tailpipe - split left and right
  • M designation on front side panels, left and right
  • Widened track and increased camber values for max transverse dynamics, agility and steering precision
  • Body colour roof fin
  • BMW emblem on engine compartment lid and tailgate
  • Illuminated bow type door handles in body colour drivers side with door lock
  • Side frame decorative moulding black matt
  • Window recess cover black high gloss
  • Front apron plastic in body colour
  • One piece front bumper cover including towing eye cover in body colour
  • Licence plate panel integrated into front bumper and tailgate
  • BMW kidney grille with mesh grille front side of the nuggets in matt aluminium and frame in chrome high gloss
  • Body colour M sport rear spoiler

  • Dynamic brake lights
  • LED front fog lights
  • Welcome lights in interior and door handle area
  • Automatic headlight beam throw control with load dependent regulating reaction, dynamic compensation of braking dive and acceleration squat
  • Two part LED tailights in L-shape with components in smoked glass, brake light, LED turn indicator and rear fog light

  • 3 zone automatic air conditioning

  • 12V power socket in front centre console
  • 3 spoke M sport leather multifunction steering wheel
  • Illuminated glove compartment with separate small compartment
  • 4 pieces lashing eyelets in luggage compartment
  • Armrest integrated in front and rear door trim + front centre console armrest
  • Height adjustable mechanically and infinitely variable steering column
  • 2 front cupholder in centre console with clamping elements and matt black inlay
  • Four grab handles integrated in roof lining
  • Vernasca leather upholstery
  • Anthracite headlining
  • Front and rear door pockets
  • Storage compartment in rear centre console
  • Toolkit located in luggage compartment

  • Front and rear reading lights
  • Make-up mirror lights
  • Front and rear footwell lights
  • Luggage compartment light
  • Ambient lighting with welcome carpet light
  • Illuminated armrest storage compartment
  • Front and rear door exit lighting (left / right)

  • M sport exterior styling pack - 4 Series
  • Connected professional pack - 4 Series

  • Seat belt with belt stopper, pyrotechnic belt tensioners and belt force limiters
  • Child seat ISOFIX attachment for the two outer rear seats
  • Child proof locking system in rear door
  • Crash sensor activating of airbags,Unlocking doors,hazard warning lights,fuel cut off,interior lighting+activation of safety battery terminal clamp
  • Driver and front passenger side airbags, integrated in the door side seat backrest bolsters for all seat variants
  • Head airbags for all 4 outer seats
  • Front passenger manual airbag deactivation
  • Battery safety cut-off
  • Seat belt security check for driver and front passenger
  • Tyre pressure monitoring with three level warning strategy
  • Side impact protection
  • Driver/Front Passenger airbags
  • Warning triangle and first aid kit
  • 3 point seatbelts on all seats

  • 3 rear headrests
  • Front headrests
  • Front sports seats
  • Heated driver and front passenger seats
  • 40:20:40 split folding rear seat and rear centre armrest with two cupholders
  • Front seat backrest width adjustment

  • Remote control with integrated key one button open/close vehicle and windows, sole opening of the luggage compartment lid and panic mode
  • Vehicle key with M specific designation
  • Start/stop button with Comfort Go keyless engine start and auto Start/stop deactivation button
  • Alarm system (Thatcham 1) with remote control and electronic engine immobiliser
  • Central locking switch for all doors, fuel filler cap and luggage compartment

  • 8 speed automatic steptronic transmission with gearshift paddles

  • Sunvisors with vanity mirrors and ticket pocket

  • Reduced rolling resistance tyres

  • 18" Aerodynamic midnight grey alloy wheels - Style 858M

  • Tyre repair kit

  • Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6
  • HC+NOx: N
  • Particles: N
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low: 218
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium: 153
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High: 133
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High: 149
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 154
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - Max: 163
  • WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - Min: 154

  • Cylinders: 4
  • Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE
  • Number of Valves: 16
  • Camshaft: DOHC
  • Fuel Delivery: TURBO INJECTION
  • Catalytic Convertor: True
  • Engine Layout: NORTH SOUTH
  • Compression Ratio: 11.0:1
  • Transmission: SEMI-AUTO
  • Gears: 8 SPEED
  • Cylinders - Bore (mm): 82
  • Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 94.6
  • CC: 1998
  • Engine Code: B48B20M1

  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low: 9.6
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium: 6.7
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High: 5.8
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High: 6.6
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 6.8
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - Min: 6.8
  • WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - Max: 7.2
  • EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: False
  • WLTP - MPG - Low: 29.4
  • WLTP - MPG - Medium: 42.2
  • WLTP - MPG - High: 48.7
  • WLTP - MPG - Extra High: 42.8
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb: 41.5
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb - Min: 41.5
  • WLTP - MPG - Comb - Max: 39.2

  • Coin Series: M Sport
  • Coin Description: i
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3
  • Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 999999
  • Generation Mark: 2
  • Service Interval Mileage: 18000
  • Service Interval Frequency - Months: 24
  • Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N
  • Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N
  • NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N
  • NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N
  • NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N
  • NCAP Safety Assist %: N
  • NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N
  • Badge Power: 184
  • Badge Engine CC: 2.0
  • Vehicle Homologation Class: M1
  • Special Edition: False
  • Special Order: False
  • Based On ID: N
  • Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 30E
  • Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: False

  • Engine Torque - MKG: 30.6
  • Engine Power - KW: 135
  • Engine Power - RPM: 5000
  • Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 221
  • Engine Torque - NM: 300
  • Engine Torque - RPM: 1350
  • Engine Power - BHP: 184
  • Engine Power - PS: True
  • 0 to 60 mph (secs): False
  • 0 to 62 mph (secs): 7.9
  • Top Speed: 146

  • Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP
  • RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

  • Alloys?: True
  • Space Saver?: False
  • Wheel Style: AERODYNAMIC STYLE 858 M
  • Tyre Size Rear: 255/40 R18
  • Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT
  • Wheel Type: 18" ALLOY
  • Tyre Size Front: 245/45 R18

  • Width (including mirrors): 2073
  • Height: 1442
  • Height (including roof rails): N
  • Length: 4783
  • Width: 1852
  • Wheelbase: 2856

  • Minimum Kerbweight: 1620
  • Gross Vehicle Weight: 2175
  • Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 59
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 470
  • No. of Seats: 5
  • Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 1600
  • Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750
  • Max. Loading Weight: 555
  • Max. Roof Load: 75
  • Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1290
  • Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12

  • Sun protection glass: £320

  • M Sport brake in high gloss blue painted brake callipers with M designation: £0

  • BMW Individual piano black trim: £500
  • Aluminium tetragon interior trim: Included
  • Mesh effect aluminium interior trim: £0

  • Harman/Kardon loud speaker system: £820
  • BMW Online Services (includes BMW Apps) with 2 front midrange speakers, 2 rear midrange speakers, 2 central bass speakers: Included

  • Solid paint: Included
  • BMW individual lights shadow line: £300
  • Metallic paint: £695
  • Electric glass sunroof: £950

  • Adaptive LED Headlights: Included
  • Preparation for high beam assistant: Included

  • Heating steering wheel: £170

  • Park assist plus pack - 4 Series: £650
  • Park assist pack - 4 Series: Included
  • Visibility pack - 4 Series: £1,500
  • Comfort pack - 4 Series Gran coupe: £920
  • Comfort plus pack - 4 Series Gran coupe: £1,880

  • Metallic - Brooklyn grey: £695
  • Metallic - Sanremo green: £695
  • Metallic - Portimao blue: £695
  • Metallic - Mineral white: £695
  • Metallic - Black sapphire: £695
  • Metallic - Sunset orange: £695

  • Solid - Alpine white: £0

  • Driver's lumbar support: £195
  • Standard seat for driver and passenger with manual adjustment: Included

  • Towbar: £850

  • Vernasca leather - Black with grey stitching: £0
  • Vernasca leather - Cognac with mokka stitching: £0
  • Vernasca leather - Oyster with grey stitching: £0
  • Vernasca leather - Black with blue contrast stitching: £0
  • Vernasca leather - Tacora red with black stitching: £0

Whilst every effort is made to verify and ensure the accuracy of the data, the information should only be used as a guide and no purchasing decision should be made without verification of the data from either the manufacturer or franchised dealer. Our offers may be on a different model year to that represented by this data and so specification may differ accordingly.

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