The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

2022 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe - Review by Larry Nutson


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)

Sporty, sleek and functional

By Larry Nutson
Senior Editor and Bureau Chief
Chicago Bureau
THE AUTO CHANNEL


BMW has paced the introduction of the new 2nd generation 4 Series model lineup. The all-new 4 Series coupe was introduced for 2021 in June 2020. The 4 Series convertible came on the scene a few months later in September. And now for the 2022 model year the 4 Series Gran Coupe was introduced in June 2021.

All three body styles have similar power and overall performance. The Gran Coupe features a long, sleek body, 4-doors and 5-passenger seating with a rear hatch that opens to a large trunk compartment. 

The 2022 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is 5.9-inches longer than its predecessor at 188.5 inches. It’s 1-inch wider and 2.1-inches taller. The wheelbase is 1.8-inches longer than before at 112.4 inches and the tracks have grown by 1.6-inches in the front and 0.7-inches in the rear. Overall, the Gran Coupe is very well proportioned and elegant.


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)

Mixed materials are used to help reduce vehicle weight while enhancing the body’s rigidity and crash safety. Hot-stamped steels and aluminum alloys used for the passenger compartment are supplemented by multi-grade steels for extra reinforcement. Up front BMW uses an engine side member made from extruded aluminum and die-cast aluminum spring struts. Weight reduction over the outgoing model has also been achieved by using aluminum for the hood and front fenders.

The new 4 Series range is designed intentionally to stand out with its own distinct character and to distinguish from the 3 Series Sedan, a trait desired by 4 Series buyers according to a BMW spokesperson. The front end design features a large and vertically prominent kidney grille that drops deep down at its center. Rather than an upper and lower grille to provide engine cooling air, the center grille with its mesh design delivers the cooling air required by the high-output engines.


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)

Since the first showing of the 4 Series coupe the new, large grille has garnered lots of attention, comments and opinions among the automotive cognoscenti. Some like it; some don’t. Yes, it’s very subjective to say the least. As art is neither good nor bad. Art just is.

I’m fine with the new grille, especially with no front license plate mounted to it. I really like the Gran Coupe’s frameless window glass. The flush mounted door handles surprised me, since they were not equipped on the 4 Series convertible I drove this past summer.

Two models are offered. A 255-hp 430i Gran Coupe and 382-hp M440i xDrive Gran Coupe. The 430i Gran Coupe features a 2.0-L 4-cylinder rated at 255-hp and 295 lb-ft of torque for a 0 to 60 mph acceleration in 5.8 seconds. The M440i xDrive Gran Coupe is fitted with a 3.0-L 6-cylinder engine with the added benefits of a 48-volt mild hybrid system. It generates 382-hp and 369 lb-ft of torque for a 0 to 60 mph acceleration in 4.4 seconds. Standard is an M Sport exhaust system that lets you know a lot is happening under the hood. Both engines are coupled to an 8-speed Sport Steptronic transmission with steering-wheel mounted shift paddles and Launch Control. 

The interior cabin is very much BMW and very much driver oriented. Controls are well placed within the high center console and very intuitive and easy to operate. In the BMW style, everything is logically laid out.


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)

Sport seats, a Sport multifunction steering wheel and an anthracite headliner are standard. The M440i xDrive Gran Coupe and the 430i Gran Coupe with M Sport Package features an M leather steering wheel, door sill plates bearing the M logo and M Aluminum Tetragon interior trim.

The one item I would have liked, since we are a two-driver household, is a power tilt/telescopic steering column for the convenience of its memory feature. The new 4 Series is available with a wide range of advanced driver-assistance safety (ADAS) features.

The 430i Gran Coupe has a base MSRP of $44,800. The M440i xDrive Gran Coupe has an MSRP of $58,000. Both have an additional $995 destination charge.

For my drive evaluation I drove the M440i xDrive finished in San Remo Green Metallic with a Canberra Beige cabin. Options fitted to this car included Cooling and High Performance Tire Package ($2,400), Driving Assistance Professional Package ($1,700), Parking Assistance Package ($700), Premium Package ($1,750), SensaTec Dashboard ($350), and Harmon Kardon surround sound system ($875). With destination charge the total was $67,520.

The Cooling and High Performance Tire Package includes performance non-runflat tires. Winter months had arrived so the car I dove was refitted with Pirelli Sottozero 3 winter/snow tires. Sottozero is Italian for below zero….and that’s zero centigrade or 32-degrees Fahrenheit. Winter Sottozero 3 tires are designed not just as snow tires, but as seasonal tires suitable for the cold weather and freezing road conditions.


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)

More information and details on the all-new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe can be found at www.bmwusa.com.

The performance of a BMW, especially the M440i xDrive Gran Coupe I drove, is a delight for the driving enthusiast. I’m often amazed at the balance of comfort, style and performance that BMW provides. The 4 Series Gran Coupe is a nice sized vehicle for personal or family transportation. The large opening rear hatch provides added versatility compared to a standard 4-door sedan.

Happy Motoring!

© 2022 Larry Nutson, the Chicago Car Guy