As a model, the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe may still be difficult to comprehend, but it’s here – in 2nd-generation guise – so we’ll just have to live with its strange designation. We sent Calvin Fisher to Gauteng to drive the newcomer at its local launch, where he duly put the M440i xDrive through its paces.

What is a 4 Series Gran Coupe?

Remember when BMW split the 3- and 4 Series? Odd numbers for sedans, even numbers for coupes – most of us got on board with that, well, eventually. But then they took the coupeand added back its rear doors, and thusthe 4 Series Gran Coupe was born. I’m at the ‘wheel of that car, but, the new one (the 2nd iteration of the 5-door sedan coupe). And, I now know why this car is so important to BMW…

The 4-door coupe is back on our roads and there are 3 versions to choose from:the 320i, 320d and M440i xDrive.

You see, right now in Mzansi, Gran Coupe (GC) derivatives makeup 50% of all 4 Series sales. That’s half (I see why you write words and not do sums – ed). Sure, the cynic in me wonders whether those buyers wouldn’t have been happy in a 3 Seriesthen, but customers wantwhat customers wantand BMW is happy to give it to them. As for me, I enjoy the svelte profile and, as a father of three, appreciate that practicality has beenrestored to some extent. And then there are the visuals. The 4 Series GC benefits from a lower centre of gravity, is wider, longer and looks arguably meaner than its predecessor.

It comes in three derivatives:a 320i (a 135 kW/300 Nm2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol), 320d (a 140 kW/400 Nm2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbodiesel) and then the one I’m sitting in – the flagship version, which is propelled by a3.0-litre (twin-scroll) turbocharged inline-6 in combination with xDrive all-wheel drive. Yes, it’s the BMW M440i xDrive and I’ll get straight to the point and say that this one churns out more power than the other two combined.

With peak outputs of 285 kW and 500 Nm, and mated with the 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission (which is standard across the 4 Series GC range), the M440i xDrive’s motor is saidto catapult the top-of-the-range derivative from 0 to 100 kph in just 4.7 seconds. That’s not M car quick, I admit, but it is right on the money for a “40i”designated car… and that’s kind of the point I’m trying to make here.

Similar to how the 4 Series GC’s styling is a perfect compromise between coupe and sedan, the performance is also a delicate dance between all-out ferocity and everyday usability. A car with turbo-boosted agility, but also ISOfix points to accommodatemultiple baby seats. And a hatchback that will swallow the detritusof family life, plus a bicycle and surfboard too. But huddle closerand I’ll tell you how it goes.

What’s the 4 Series Gran Coupe like to drive?

The 4 Series GC makes a case for a slightly more practical 3 Series with its hatchback rear opening.

Slip into the leather-trimmedcocoon and you’ll encounter a very well-appointed cockpit, loaded with oodles of standard features. It’s all there. I thumb the start button to fire up the Bimmer’s powerplant, shift the transmission lever into Drive and immediately select Sport mode. It’s a must, especially when you’re about to embark on a 400-km road trip through the Valley of 1000 Hills and beyond. But, to reach thoseevocativeflowing roads, you first have to traverse rather pockmarked rural roads, so I temporarily reverted to the default Comfort modefor the more arduous section of our journey. But soon enough, we were able to point the M440i xDrive’scurvaceousbonnet along some pristine sweeps and bends– that was when I re-selectedSport mode and gavethat sweet Bavarian six an opportunity to sing.

And singingsonorously is what an inline-6-engined BMW does best. And you don’t need an M car to appreciate this, thanks to the Bavarian brand’slegacy of producing full-bodied, throatyand, of course, potentstraight-six motors. Here, boosted to the heavens, the M440i xDrive’s heart revved cleanly and with enthusiasm, the cogs swapped just so by the Steptronic ‘box.

And yet, the secret to a driver’s car resides in itshelm. A communicative steering setup, one that imparts sufficientfeel and feedback through the ‘wheel (as to what the front wheelsare getting up to),is paramount when carving up apexes, not to mention keeping adriving enthusiastengaged. Even with power being sent to all four wheels, the M440i xDrive feels agile– plus, when the road surface affords less than idealpurchase, the muscular Bimmeris unquestionably aided by that extramechanical grip afforded by xDrive, which allowsyou to get on the power earlier (and flatters less experienced pilots).

I know. Yes, I KNOW there’s a helluva lot of tech in here, but this is no Playstation, you’re still very much at the centre pulling the levers and making it dance.And you’re wearing a biggrin while doing so.

Summary

The M440i engine seems to offer more than sufficientperformance. Do you really need to fork that much more for anM car?

You already know how this works,buy the 420i if you’re just after the model’s aesthetics. Buy the 420d for the same reasons, but if you want to visit the fuel station forecourts less often(that extra whack of torque is welcome too). Spice either up with the M-Sport kit if you favour show over go but, the chasm of performance between these and the M440i xDrive is enough to park an M3 or M4 in. Sideways.

There’s such an exhilarating drive to be had here, and better still, you can approach the 4 Series Gran Coupeflagship’slimits without fear of exceeding your own. No really, that’s how most of us feel when at the wheel of an M car. They goad you into making mad decisions, drain your bank account of your disposable income (first to buy it/pay it off, insure it and then to keep it properly tyred and fed with fuel) and then there’s living with a car that terrifies you. Who wouldn’t seriously consider having 80% of the performance at 60% of the price? And in this shape, you even have a massive hatchback to, um, boot.

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe Pricing:

All prices include a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan from BMW SA (Motorplan).

Related content:

Alfa Romeo Giulia & Stelvio (2021) Launch Review

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe (2021) Specs & Price

BMW 4 Series Convertible (2021) Specs & Price

BMW 4 Series (2020) Launch Review