Review
Despite BMW’s concerns that the ‘coupé’ moniker was putting off potential purchasers, sales are picking up. By the end of August, BMW had registered 14,257 4 Series models, of which 4,211 were Gran Coupé. Fleets accounted for 2,308 of those.
It’s a joy to drive; handling is sharp and assured, grip is excellent and the 190bhp engine has plenty of oomph. But it is just as comfortable pottering around urban environments, with the stop-start eager to cut in whenever traffic stops.
Drivers can flick between three driving modes via the Drive Performance Control button: sport, comfort and Eco Pro. BMW claims Eco Pro improves fuel efficiency by up to 20%; so far we’ve struggled to get much above 46mpg (52mpg on a long run).
The Route-Ahead Assistant uses the navigation system to assess local road conditions and give tips in advance. If there is a speed limit change around the next corner, the system advises the driver to slow down before turning.
However, the advice can get frustrating, particularly the harsh acceleration symbol. On a number of occasions, it has flashed on when the car is travelling well below the actual speed limit, for instance 45mph in a 60mph zone. It can be an annoying distraction.
The sat-nav deploys a useful traffic overview, colour-coding roads green, yellow or red depending on traffic. However, the system cannot seem to make its mind up. On a recent trip, the information about one section of the M25 changed no less than 12 times, with the journey time fluctuating between a one-minute delay and 64 minutes.
Technical niggles aside, as we move into our final month with the 4 Series Gran Coupé, the experience has been overwhelmingly positive. With the running costs a smidge under 46p per mile (matching the Audi A5 Sportback, but a couple of pence above the 3 Series saloon), this is a car to satisfy both fleet manager and company car driver.
Bauer B2B group editor Stephen Briers has been an automotive business journalist since 1995. He has been editor of Fleet News since 2009 and before that was editor of Automotive Management for almost seven years. He now oversees both brands, as well as RAIL magazine.
