Facelift (What's New)
Sharper and more precise steering
Suspension setup is a tad stiffer than before
Updated iDrive system
Bi-LED head lights are now standard
Slight tweaks to the front bumpers
Going against the likes of the Audi A5 Sportback and the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, the 4 Series Gran Coupe (4GC) that you see here is a handsome Bimmer that differentiates itself well from the popular 3 Series.
While the 4GC is often mistaken as the 3er, thanks to its five-door and five-seater layout, there's no mistaking the fact that the GC remains to be a vehicle that benefits from being a stylish coupe with the added practicality of four doors and a generous space to boot.
Do the two cars drive differently then?
They do actually. Contrary to what you'd expect from two similar cars from the same carmaker where differences are usually insignificant, the 4GC has a different proposition compared to the regular 3er. In that sense, you don't even need to drive the two cars back to back to realise this fact.
The 4GC, despite its added dimensions and heavier weight, feels immediately sportier than the 3er. For instance, the stiffer suspension makes for a better corner carver, with a strong sense of stability that instils a whole lot of confidence to an average driver like this storyteller.
The steering seems to be improved a tad too. As always from the Bavarian marque, feedback is ample, but this time round - with the 4GC - the steering accuracy has gone up a notch. You never have any problems directing it around tight twisties or placing it on narrower roads.
On empty straights, you can mash the right pedal to enjoy the 181 horses and 270Nm of torque that comes courtesy from the turbocharged four-pot powerplant. Driven thus, you'll hit the 100km/h mark in just 7.7 seconds.
What's this facelift thing about?
The 4GC is the latest to receive a host of updates. While external tweaks around its front fascia are mild - sporting standard LED head and fog lights as well as an enhanced bumper - changes in the cabin are more noteworthy.
While the 4GC is often mistaken as the 3er, thanks to its five-door and five-seater layout, there's no mistaking the fact that the GC remains to be a vehicle that benefits from being a stylish coupe with the added practicality of four doors and a generous space to boot.
Do the two cars drive differently then?
They do actually. Contrary to what you'd expect from two similar cars from the same carmaker where differences are usually insignificant, the 4GC has a different proposition compared to the regular 3er. In that sense, you don't even need to drive the two cars back to back to realise this fact.
The 4GC, despite its added dimensions and heavier weight, feels immediately sportier than the 3er. For instance, the stiffer suspension makes for a better corner carver, with a strong sense of stability that instils a whole lot of confidence to an average driver like this storyteller.
The steering seems to be improved a tad too. As always from the Bavarian marque, feedback is ample, but this time round - with the 4GC - the steering accuracy has gone up a notch. You never have any problems directing it around tight twisties or placing it on narrower roads.
On empty straights, you can mash the right pedal to enjoy the 181 horses and 270Nm of torque that comes courtesy from the turbocharged four-pot powerplant. Driven thus, you'll hit the 100km/h mark in just 7.7 seconds.
What's this facelift thing about?
The 4GC is the latest to receive a host of updates. While external tweaks around its front fascia are mild - sporting standard LED head and fog lights as well as an enhanced bumper - changes in the cabin are more noteworthy.
The latest version of BMW's iDrive infotainment system, together with the updated digital instrument cluster and ConnectedDrive functions, has been added as standard to this car. Thus, stepping into the 4GC will immediately remind you of the bigger 5 Series and 7 series, where all these said features were also made available as standard in.
Additionally, the car now comes with double stitching on the instrument panel while the new electroplated detailing and chrome applications place an emphasis on the overall high-quality feel of the car.
It's all these small attention to detail that make you realise it's not just another commonplace 3 Series that you're driving, but rather it's the kind of car that's only known to a certain group of people who enjoys quality over quantity and appreciates the carmaker's immutable nature and its innate ability to create an eye-appealing vehicle that matches function.
You got me thinking about the car now...
You bet, buddy. But you and I will need to remember that this isn't a sports car or a flamboyant one in any way. Instead, it's a useable and versatile five-door coupe that is able to serve you on a daily basis without any fuss.
At $213,800 (as of 8th September 2017), this car may be more expensive than the modern Audi A5 Sportback and the sexy Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, but you can be rest assured that the 4GC will not be making any exceptions or excuses on compromising on driving enjoyment.
Additionally, the car now comes with double stitching on the instrument panel while the new electroplated detailing and chrome applications place an emphasis on the overall high-quality feel of the car.
It's all these small attention to detail that make you realise it's not just another commonplace 3 Series that you're driving, but rather it's the kind of car that's only known to a certain group of people who enjoys quality over quantity and appreciates the carmaker's immutable nature and its innate ability to create an eye-appealing vehicle that matches function.
You got me thinking about the car now...
You bet, buddy. But you and I will need to remember that this isn't a sports car or a flamboyant one in any way. Instead, it's a useable and versatile five-door coupe that is able to serve you on a daily basis without any fuss.
At $213,800 (as of 8th September 2017), this car may be more expensive than the modern Audi A5 Sportback and the sexy Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, but you can be rest assured that the 4GC will not be making any exceptions or excuses on compromising on driving enjoyment.
