BMW was a very different company fifteen years ago with feats like pulling the wraps off of their first SUV, the 1999 X5.  Until then, the company had been known for its fun-to-drive cars, recognized for their unmatched  driving dynamics and their handsome design.  In the early 2000s, the Munich-based company upped the luxury ante by offering its redesigned 7-series in 2002 with its infamous, though trend-setting, Bangle-butt trunk design that we remember so well.  With 2008 came the controversial X6, a crossover with a high beltline and a low roofline.  Four years later, BMW added an extra set of doors to its redesigned 6-series coupe to gain wider appeal to the masses.  Bimmer decided to keep its 4-series model line fresh with a four-door version of its new coupe.  Now, BMW is making a sedan based off its most popular coupe—which is based off of its most popular sedan.  Confused yet?  BMW chose to blur the lines between its 3 and 4-series models by offering a more-expensive yet arguably sexier model—the 2015 4-series Gran Coupe.  The new 4-series GC  is longer and wider than its 3-series counterpart by about a half-inch, yet it is shorter by an inch and a half.  The trunk space matches the dimensions of the 3-series sedan, yet with a hatchback there will be easier access.  Engine options are carried over from the 3 and 4-series lines, with the 428i using the 2.0-liter turbo inline-four and the 435i fitted with the 3.0-liter turbo six.  We can expect the driving dynamics to be on-par with the 4-series coupe because of its tuned suspension and lower ride height.  As good as this car is, perhaps it is a little unnecessary.  Then again, it could be the 3-series sedan we wanted all along.

-Evan W.

Full story: Autoblog