BMW adds two doors to its new coupe
Soon after the launch of its all-new 4 Series coupe, BMW announces the 4 Series Gran Coupe, which will have four doors.
With its latest product strategy, BMW seems poised to please, yesterday announcing the 4 Series Gran Coupe. It's just like the all-new 4 Series coupe, but it gets two rear doors.
The 4 Series is a recent addition to the BMW lineup, a model designed to take over the spot formerly used by the 3 Series coupe. However, the new 4 Series, longer and wider than the 3 Series, is its own model. For the newest model year, the 3 Series can only be had as a sedan, wagon, or the oddly shaped Gran Turismo.
The 4 Series was launched with the coupe and a convertible.
The just-announced 4 Series Gran Coupe has the same width, 6 feet, and length, 15.2 feet, as the standard coupe version, but BMW notes that the roof is about half an inch higher, and holds its height longer toward the rear of the car. That should enhance accessibility and comfort of the rear seats, which BMW describes as a 2+1 configuration.
The 4 Series Gran Coupe will be offered with similar drivetrain options as the 4 Series coupe, including turbocharged 2-liter and turbocharged 3-liter engines. All-wheel drive will also be available. However, BMW has not confirmed whether the 4 Series Gran Coupe will be offered in the US.
The addition of the Gran Coupe to the 4 Series line follows the model plan for the 6 Series. The 6 Series was also initially offered only as a coupe or convertible, with the 6 Series four-door Gran Coupe being a later addition.
The question of whether a coupe can have four doors is often debated online. Coupes have traditionally been two-door cars, but some designers consider frameless doors a coupe attribute. The 4 Series Gran Coupe has frameless doors front and rear, as does the 6 Series Gran Coupe.