The BMW coupe with the prominent grille now has more doors for added practicality.

If you’ve been following our Facebook page (well done you!), you’d probably have seen our post brought to you live from the media preview of the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. A year after the two-door variant nosed into the market, its more practical sibling has arrived!

So, what’s new?

Unsurprisingly, it’s largely similar to the 4 Series coupe. The wheelbase is 5mm longer than the coupe, and there’s an extra 30 litres of boot space.

The front end shares the same uh, prominent double kidney grille as its Coupe and Convertible siblings with full LED headlights. However, the Gran Coupe does get flush-fitting door handles for a cleaner side profile.

Racy M trim come standard throughout the range, starting with the 420i M Sport which features M Sport body styling and suspension. Go one level up and there’s the 430i M Sport Pro, which adds 19-inch wheels, adaptive dampers, and M Sport brakes, amongst other goodies.

Spring for the top of the line M440i xDrive and you’ll get body styling bits that easily distinguish it as an M model (including the customary M badges, of course). It’ll also come standard with an M Sport limited-slip differential, which is electronically controlled.

What drivetrains are available?

Mild hybrid technology has been introduced, but unfortunately only on the M440i xDrive for now. A 48V starter-generator provides an extra 11 bhp when needed, working together with the 374 bhp/500 Nm 3.0-litre 6-cylinder.

The 420i and 430i models make do with a new 2.0-litre 4-cylinder without mild hybrid tech, producing 184 bhp/300 Nm and 245 bhp/400 Nm respectively. All models across the range come standard with an eight-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission. The 430i and M440i models do get an additional ‘Sprint’ function, for maximum performance while overtaking.

How’s it drive?

We were tossed the keys to the M440i xDrive for a quick one-hour drive. While you’ll have to wait a while longer for a comprehensive review, I’m pleased to report that even with the more practical bodystyle, it still drives as you’d expect a BMW to.

The abundance of M badges would have you expect an M-car experience with the shouty exhaust and overrun pops. But the M440i is anything but that – it’s calm, refined; luxurious even (if you leave the adaptive dampers in ‘Comfort’).

With over 50 bhp more than the previous-generation F36 Gran Coupe, it’s got plenty of poke. Power delivery comes smoothly and elegantly, so much so that you get to license-losing speeds without realising. Non-stop rain plagued the entire duration of our testdrive, but the xDrive all-wheel drive system worked beautifully to put the power down without fuss.

There wasn’t the chance to put the M440i through its paces at South Buona Vista Road, but the long sweeping corners on our test route suited the grand tourer character of the car perfectly. Enter the corner at mildly ridiculous speeds, put even more power down at the apex, exit the corner and glance at the speedo, then check the rear-view mirror for police presence…

Cool, how much is it?

Prices start at S$273,888 for the 420i M Sport, going up to S$330,888 for the 430i M Sport Pro (left). To get yourself into the range topping M440i xDrive (right) we had a go in, it’ll set you back S$409,888.

All models of the 4 Series Gran Coupe are now available for you to have a poke around, at Performance Motors Limited and Performance Munich Autos showrooms.

Anything electric?

Well yes, glad you asked! The fully-electric BMW i4 will join the 4 Series Gran Coupe lineup sometime next year, in line with BMW’s push to electrification. This will give BMW customers one extra option, in addition to the i3s hatchback and iX3 SUV that are presently on sale.