The new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe will once again seek to woo those who want 3 Series sedan-like practicality but with a pinch of sporty styling thrown in.

    Like the current model, the 4 Series Gran Coupe has styling shared with the coupe and convertible versions but with a more commodious five-door fastback-style body.

    Compared to similarly-sized 3 Series sedan, the Gran Coupe has a longer and curvier roof line, an extra rear quarter window, and frameless doors. It also sports flush-fitting lift-up door handles.

    The Gran Coupe will be like other 4 Series models and have a tall double kidney grille paying homage to the classic BMW 328, but which has drawn sharp criticism from many quarters.

    Under the bonnet, the 4 Series Gran Coupe will be offered with most of the four- and six-cylinder engine options already seen in the 3 Series range.

    Given the need for automakers to hit a fleet-wide CO2 emissions target of 95g/km in Europe, it’s likely the Gran Coupe will also be available with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain option.

    Our spy photography agency managed to snap photos of the Gran Coupe in both 430i and M440i xDrive trims.

    The more potent M440i has a 285kW/500Nm 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder in place of the 430i’s 190kW/400Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo.

    It also features a more aggressively styled front bumper with large intakes, M4-style wing mirrors, rhomboid exhaust tip finishers, larger alloy wheels, lower profile tyres, and more ground-hugging suspension.

    The Gran Coupe will also serve as the basis for the pure-electric i4. Visual differences between the two cars may be limited to bumpers, grille, wheels and lighting graphics.

    Derek Fung

    Derek Fung would love to tell you about his multiple degrees, but he's too busy writing up some news right now. In his spare time Derek loves chasing automotive rabbits down the hole. Based in New York, New York, Derek loves to travel and is very much a window not an aisle person.

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