By Samuel Ee

The "four-door coupe" may seem like a contradiction in terms but that hasn't stopped carmakers from making more of it. The latest is BMW with its 6 Series Gran Coupe.

Based on the 6 Series Coupe, both stylistically and dynamically, the result is surprisingly elegant. Rather than just a lengthened two-door model, the Gran Coupe's cohesive design ensures the extra two doors still allow this long car to retain a coupe-like silhouette, with a swage line and body crease to visually enhance its low centre of gravity.

But more than just to fill the gap between the 6 Series Coupe and the 5 Series Sedan, BMW says that the Gran Coupe embodies the 6 Series' sportiness with the 7 Series limousine's luxury.

Beneath the slinky sheet metal, the Gran Coupe has the same wide front and rear track as the 6 Series Coupe but a longer 2,968 mm wheelbase, ie identical to the 5 Series.

The former gives the Gran Coupe the same confident stance and handling as the 6 Series, while the latter endows it with good rear legroom in this 4+1 seater. This unusual moniker refers to the four individual seats and an auxiliary third seat with a proper three-point seatbelt but whose occupant will have to straddle the lower centre console.

Thankfully, that proves to be the only awkward aspect of the Gran Coupe, which has the same stylish frameless doors and front seats as the 6 Series Coupe.

Long-distance comfort is important and the two full-sized rear seats set deep into the back will accommodate passengers up to 1.9 metres tall.

So is practicality, with good luggage space in the 460-litre boot which can be expanded to 1,265 litres when the seat backs are folded.

Then there is the luxury.

To say the 6 Series Gran Coupe is luxurious is like saying The Avengers did well at the box office.

Numerous options are available, such as the Bang & Olufsen surround sound system and a BMW Individual package specially designed for the car with unique exterior paintwork and interior finishes.

There are four engine variants - 640i, 640d, 650i and 650i xDrive. The 640i, which will be launched here in the third quarter, is a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engine featuring twin-scroll turbos, while the 640d is a 3.0-litre straight-six turbodiesel.

Both power plants in front drive the rear wheels in classic fashion.

The 650i is also rear-wheel-drive but with a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8. The 650i xDrive has the same engine but with all-wheel-drive.

The 640i and 640d were available during the media launch of the Gran Coupe in Sicily. With 450 Newton-metres of torque on tap, the 640i Gran Coupe is no slouch despite weighing in at 1,750 kg.

Mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, the straight-six with forced induction provides smooth and accessible power for the winding roads on the Italian island.

Its wide track gives it great composure in sweeping corners and together with fat 19-inch tyres, the Gran Coupe always feels well-planted.

Although the Gran Coupe is based on the 6 Series Coupe, which in turn is based on the 5 Series Sedan, each has ride and handling that are unique to it because each features different suspension parts.

In terms of suspension philosophy, the 640i Gran Coupe is set up for a blend of sporty and comfortable driving. Overall, it is close to comfort than sport, which means it has a higher level of ride comfort than the 6 Series Coupe.

This is especially evident in the back, where the sculpted seats and ample legroom provide for a comfortable high-speed cross-country run.

Because the Gran Coupe's wheelbase is 113 mm longer than the 6 Series Coupe, it has been given quicker steering. BMW engineers say that if the same steering set-up as the Coupe had been used, the Gran Coupe's turn-in would be slower because of the extra length.

So even though the Gran Coupe is 5,007 mm long, the 640i tackles hairpin turns with sufficient agility.

But the biggest revelation has to be the 640d Gran Coupe. Its diesel engine with twin turbos uses piezo injectors to measure the precise amount of fuel.

Not only does this cut out that familiar diesel clatter but it also delivers a whopping 630 Newton-metres of torque to the rear wheels.

Throw in weightier steering with slightly more feedback and a deeper exhaust grunt, the 640d feels like a buffed up 640i.

It also seems more playful, especially in sharp and fast corners where it can entertain with some wheelspin and a slight drift. It may be five metres of luxury but this cool four-door coupe shows that it hasn't forgotten it still needs to be fun to drive.

samuelee@sph.com.sg

This article was first published in The Business Times.

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