BMW classes 4 Series Gran Coupe as swoopy 3 Series

BY CALLUM HUNTER | 9th Jul 2021

BMW AUSTRALIA has revealed the local pricing and specification of its inbound 4 Series Gran Coupe range which will initially consist of three variants when it arrives here in the final quarter of the year with the 420i kicking things off from $75,900 plus on-road costs.

That entry price marks a price premium of $4000 over the standard 420i coupe, however the subsequent 430i ($83,900) and M440i xDrive ($115,900) will check into local showrooms priced below their coupe counterparts.

It’s not as if the margins are particularly slim either; the flagship is some $3000 cheaper than the M440i coupe while the 430i is a sizeable $7000 cheaper than the two-door version.

According to BMW Australia, the 4 Series Gran Coupe should be seen more as a swoopy-topped 3 Series rather than a stretched 4 Series, hence the lower price points of the mid-ranger and flagship.

Just like the convertible range, the Gran Coupe engine line-up is a mirror image of the coupes with the 420i and 430i both powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine developing 135kW/300Nm and 190kW/400Nm respectively while the M440i uses a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six that’s good for 285kW/500Nm.

All versions rely on an eight-speed automatic transmission to harness the engines’ power with the four-cylinders having a rear-wheel-drive set-up compared with the M440i’s xDrive all-paw system.

The standard equipment highlights on the four-doors are the same too, with the 420i’s kit including the M Sport Package and M Sport suspension, 19-inch M Light alloy wheels with run-flat tyres, sport front seats with power adjustment, Alcantara and Sensatec upholstery, paddle shifters, LED headlights, powered tailgate and ambient lighting.

Technology buffs will be pleased by the inclusion of a head-up display, digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB+ digital radio, wireless charging, a 10-speaker sound system, driving assistant, parking assistant with reversing assistant and connected package professional.

Stepping up to the 430i not only adds more power, but adaptive M suspension, comfort access, M Sport brakes, Vernasca leather upholstery, driving assistant professional and parking assistant plus.

At the top of the range, the M440i ups the ante further with the previously mentioned xDrive all-wheel-drive system as well as an M Sport rear differential, M Performance suspension tune, 19-inch Cerium Grey M alloys shod with performance rubber, BMW Laserlight, a 16-speaker Harman/Kardon surround sound system, Sensatec instrument panel, powered glass roof and lumbar support.

Those hanging out for an M4 Gran Coupe shouldn’t hold their breath – it’s been ruled out by none other than BMW M CEO Markus Flasch himself.

As previously reported by GoAuto, the 4 Series Gran Coupe is only marginally bigger than the regular coupe, measuring 4783mm long (+15mm), 1852mm wide (+0mm) and 1442mm tall (+59mm), with a 2856mm wheelbase (+5mm).

Expected to touch down in October, the 4 Series Gran Coupe will be followed closely by its all-electric cousin the i4 with rumours suggesting the i4 will serve as the basis for the first fully-fledged M car – the i4 M50 already has bragging rights as the first electric M Performance model.

BMW Australia has sold 594 new 4 Series’ so far this year ending June, accounting 28.4 per cent of the $80,000-plus sports-car segment.

When it arrives here, the 4 Series Gran Coupe will actually share the $60,000-plus medium-car sales segment with the 3 Series, of which 2260 were delivered in the first six months of the year.

2022 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe pricing*