Those of us who review and review cars receive frequent inquiries from buyers interested in purchasing a new vehicle. A BMW might seem like an easy recommendation to make. The German house manufactures cars of excellent performance, good technology and finish, and although somewhat expensive, they are not second to anyone in their driving condition.
By: Roger Rivero
Still, deciding within the BMW lineup which car to recommend complicates matters. The car we tested this week, a BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé, comes from a family of no less than 14 members, all belonging to the 2022 BMW 4-Series “family”.
It seems that the manufacturer has a model for every taste. Our test model appears to be aimed at coupe enthusiasts who, under pressure from an enlarged family, have had to prioritize space and comfort, without sacrificing speed, style and good handling.
From outside and inside
What would we call a four-door coupe? A sedan, many will think. Not BMW. In the manufacturer’s curious product strategy, the even-numbered models with additional doors become “Gran Coupé”. They also retain the sleeker lines of the coupes they are based on, despite gaining several extra inches. The 4 Series Gran Coupe has a hatchback-like rear liftgate, to further complicate styling.
As if all this were not enough, perhaps not much attention is paid to design details beyond the front of this BMW. As in the rest of Series 4, here they adopt the disproportionate kidney-shaped grill, which leaves no one indifferent.
In order not to gloat over the subject, take a close look at some of the photos that accompany this article, and judge without prejudice.
The cabin of the 4 Series Gran Coupé is presented true to the classic BMW formula. The M440i’s driver-centered instrument panel features a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster as well as a 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment screen.
The overall look is sleek and refined, and details like the leather-wrapped “M” steering wheel give the M440i a sportier feel and it feels very solid in the hand. The seats are firm but comfortable, and feature plenty of supportive bolsters for those opting for a “getaway” on curvy roads.
The rear seat is roomier here than on the 4-series two-door trim, and with 34.5 inches for the legs, it can seat adults who are not very tall there, as the roofline is somewhat low.
Equipment and safety
The 2022 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé comes with advanced driver assistance systems standard in its Active Driving Assitant suite of safety features. They include blind spot and lane departure warning, speed limit assist, rear cross traffic alert and rear collision avoidance. Also included are adaptive headlights with automatic high beams, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection.
Two optional safety packages, available for both the 430i and M440i Gran Coupe, offer even more features, including adaptive cruise control with stop-start, automatic park assist, lane centering, 360-degree wrap-around camera views between other
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard and both connect wirelessly. Navigation and a Wifi access point are also included, and for those of us who like physical buttons to control the weather or radio (more and more manufacturers banish them from their cars) the 2022 M440i xDrive Gran Coupé pleases us with discreet but functional buttons. .
On the road
The BMW 4 Series is perhaps the one that preserves the most substance of what has caused the German manufacturer to call itself the “ultimate driving machine” or the best driving machine (other translations are accepted)
BMW is known for building excellent engines. In the 4 Series Gran Coupé, standard power comes through the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 255 horsepower, while the all-wheel drive M440i xDrive features a turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine. 3.0-liter that reaches 382 horsepower, which makes it one of the most powerful engines in that category. Getting from 0 to 60 miles per hour or 97 kilometers takes just 4.5 seconds, faster than any other car in its class, and even as fast as some higher-class vehicles.
Also like the coupe, the M440i Gran Coupe’s engine is a mild hybrid, with a 48-volt starter generator that acts as a small electric motor and can assist the engine with an additional 11 horsepower boost. This increases both efficiency and power, giving the engine a boost under acceleration and sharpening the engine’s response off-line or at low revs. Consumption is remarkable for the size of the engine. 25 miles per gallon in combined driving which is about 9.41 liters per 100 km
There is little I can add about the handling qualities of the BMW M440i Gran Coupé, because because of the inclement winter weather and the summer tires that the manufacturer decided to fit on my test car, it cannot visit the narrow, curvy, hilly roads that I usually enjoy. with these cars.
Still, I have no doubts about the car’s spirits and performance on the road, and some reviews from colleagues who have been able to do more extensive testing confirm this.
For a long time I was looking for the switch to disconnect the engine start and stop system. This is a new generation of the device, which surprised me by the serenity with which it works. They use an integrated crankshaft-mounted starter, so the engine starts instantly, without any delay and with little noticeable jolt, compared to normal start-stop systems of the last generation.
Even so, I am not unconditional about these systems, and I had to consult the manual of this BMW, to verify that, in effect, it does not have any switch to disconnect the system, and the only solution is to switch it to sports-type driving.
To choose
As I explained at the beginning, the variety of options to obtain a 2022 BMW 4 Series is very wide, and if you do not believe me give Google a chance that knows everything. The most economical of the long list is the 430i Coupe that starts at $ 45,800 with standard rear wheel drive (RWD) and a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine.
Opting for the $ 56,000 M440i Gran Coupe will entitle you to a superior powertrain, featuring a 3.0-liter 6-cylinder turbocharged engine with the mild hybrid system we already mentioned.
Adding the excellent xDrive traction system would raise the price by about $ 2,000. Our 2022 BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupe was priced very close to $ 70,000, but for that price it included several upgrade packages.
The competition is mostly German, in the form of the Audi A5 or the Mercedes C-Class, and we can add the Kia Stinger, Lexus RC or the Infiniti Q60.
Concluding
The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe returns to the manufacturer’s lineup in 2022, with a wide variety of options offering the comfort of a sedan with hatchback utility, and the turbocharged engine options of the 4-door coupe, all with the warranty. of fun and enjoyment behind the wheel.
BMW has done a solid job with its second-generation 4-Series Gran Coupe, improving specific areas where its predecessor lagged a bit, such as passenger space. It’s a compelling delivery, provided it can bypass the first grid impression of the contest.
Roger Rivero is a freelance journalist, member of NAHJ, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and NWAPA, the Northwest Association of Automotive Journalists. Vehicles are provided by manufacturers on loan for one week for review purposes. In no way do the manufacturers control the content of the comments.
