BMW has brought a four-door version of the 4 Series Coupé to the market. It looks set to fill a need that most of us didn't know we had!
So why should customers not simply buy a 3 Series if they need four doors? After all, the two-door 4 Coupé came from the 3 Series.
Well, GC is what we used to call a 'Fastback' or 'Liftback' - basically, a hatchback with a shallow slope. BMW has also made the 4 Series GC more luxurious. To make it worth the premium, it has lengthened and raised the roof by 12mm. This gives the GC greater cabin space in the back particularly, and a unique street presence.
Like the 6 Series Gran Coupé, there will always be a punter looking for something a little different, and BMW wants its buyers to stay within the brand and not stray to an Audi A5 Sportback - heaven forbid!
Built on the 4 Coupé's platform, the four-door GC is designed to carry four in comfort and up to five at a push. The exterior is obviously handsome, as you'd expect from any BMW based on a coupé, but it is not stunning - unlike the 6 GC, which is a masterstroke in understated luxury.
Our 420d test car looked very smart in 'M Sport' specification, which adds a bit of additional aggression to the car's looks. Obviously with the GC, access is easier, thanks to the addition of rear doors. GC also features shorter, more car park-friendly front doors compared to the 4 Coupé.
Our test car was powered by BMW's very popular two-litre diesel. But we found this unit a little rough for the GC's character. We'd prefer to use petrol power in a GC for its added refinement - especially when starting from cold. On first start up in particular, the diesel engine's sound is not well enough insulated from the cabin for a luxury car. The diesel, of course, will return excellent consumption figures and the delivery of torque is great for relaxed driving, but we feel GC buyers will appreciate the 'extra quiet' of the petrol 428 version.
The cabin is spacious, thanks to the additional headroom. The boot, at 480 litres, is 35 litres bigger than the 4 Coupé's. Access via the large tailgate is good, too.
On the road the GC is beautifully balanced and a great cruiser. The predominantly rear-wheel drive machine is also available with all-wheel drive 'X-Drive' for a premium.
Gran Coupé is rewarding to drive and that's no surprise. The combination of excellent driving dynamics and the refined interior ambience behind the wheel generate a nice sense of occasion, but no more than you get in the two-door Coupé.
Prices start at €46,000 and rise up to over €50,000, but you can also add €10,000 in options without much effort - our 420d M Sport started at around €51,000 but had a few toys added that brought the price up to over €61,000.
4 Series Gran Coupé is very appealing, but the 4 Coupé and 3 Series are both excellent - do you really need to spend anymore?
Michael Sheridan
