BMW's first generation 4 Series Gran Coupe proved to be quite a hit worldwide, it was a car that we didn't realise we needed. A niche between a family sedan and a coupe, looking sleek and elegant while still being practical and comfortable for more than 3 people. Fast forward to today, where BMW has launched their second generation 4 Series Gran Coupe, much remains the same in its purposes and boy does it look good! The new four-door coupe captures the imagination with its noticeably enhanced driving dynamics, a sharper design following the BMW brand's new design language, a refined premium feel for its interior and a host of innovations in the areas of operation and connectivity.
While the BMW press release is long and filled with a lot of information, the key aspects from it are that the car basically comes with everything the current 4 Series has but with added space. The main area is the overall length which is now 4,7 meters long and the luggage space being 470 litres with the option to drop the seats which extends loading capacity to 1,290 litres. The rear seats have a 40:20:40 split, providing the user with the option of dropping just the middle or either side seats for their convenience.
Engine wise, the new 4 Series Gran Coupe will be getting the same engines as the coupe, but BMW has made mention that a performance version of the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe courtesy of BMW M will be available from the cars market launch, my guess this will be the M440i xDrive, as I highly doubt BMW will be making an M4 Gran Coupe. What I'm keen to see is the all electric version of the car, the i4 which BMW SA still haven't confirmed if we will be receiving locally, it will be built on the same production line as the new 4 Series GC.
The new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe is striking in every way you look at it, it is just as elegant as its predecessor and with the bold new lines from the new 4 Series and the large kidney grilles just enhance the esthetics of the car and its overall presence. I cannot wait to see this in the metal as the 4 Series GC is my favourite model from the German brand, pity we have to wait a bit to get details on the local availability and pricing of the car.
After the launch of the Mercedes Benz E-Class last year, it brought about a change to the currently E Segment in the car market. They set a new standard in what is to be expected from cars in the mid sized luxury area and with that triggered other manufacturers to follow suit. BMW since then launched it's new 5 Series, dubbed the Business Athlete, the car showcasing some of the latest technology that BMW has to offer, some of which even it's bigger brother the 7 Series doesn't have yet. This was a direct message to its German counterparts to say that they mean business in this business aimed segment.
What many don't realise that this is the most hotly contested segment in the motoring world, with every one in five BMW's sold worldwide is a 5 Series! Pretty impressive stats but it makes sense, it is the most versatile sedan in it's stable. A car with a business feel but has a sporty alter ego and with it being a substantial size, big enough for any family. Last weekend I found myself behind the wheel of the new BMW 5 Series, a 530i to be exact, wandering through the streets of Johannesburg. An area that is primed for this car and boy did it show off in it's element.
STYLE
When ever it came to the 5 Series, BMW tried to be a bit different, the car had to represent a certain type of individual, and appeal to a market that is very business oriented but yet had the looks to maintain that aggressive sporty nature that we're so used to from the German manufacturer. With the G30, they've nailed it one 100%. While there are similarities in design between it and the 7 Series, on closer inspection, you will find that it's not that similar after all. The G30 is the first BMW to have the iconic kidney grille extended and widen to meet the front headlamps. The car is longer than its predecessor but with a low stance, gives it that limo like feel. The small air outlet behind the front wheel tyre add's dimension and functionality to the car while straight lines cut across along to the back where the car is tidied up quite nicely with twin exhausts and large rear lights. The car does look quite menacing with the M Sport kit, the large 19" rims give the car presence. Moving inside, the car is stunning with high quality finishes and trimmings, from aluminium, leather and high gloss plastic making the car look both attractive on the outside and the inside.
COMFORT
As mentioned earlier, the G30 is bigger than the F10, both in length and width, offering more space to it's occupants. The interior borrows a lot from the 7 Series in terms of style and layout but has been adjusted to suit car and it's purposes. The seats are ergonomically designed to give the driver and passengers the most comfortable ride in the car with options to add on massaging capabilities as well as optional extra seat heating and cooling functions. The car did come with electrical adjustable three memory setting seats. The dual air conditioning can be extended to the back as well as has an ionic feature with a fragrant dispenser should any unwanted smells make their way into the car. Even with the 19" rims, the ride quality is un-compromised on the bumpy roads of Johannesburg. Seeing that I spent most of my time sitting in traffic, it gave me time to appreciate the interior trimmings and finishes. With the M Sport pack, it came, according to the brochure, an "aluminium rhombicle with highlight trim finish in chrome pearl", whatever they call it, it looked damn good and very classy. Ambient lighting is throughout the car, giving the cabin and internal halo of such in a colour of their choice.
PERFORMANCE
While the 530i does slot bang in the middle of the petrol derivatives, I still think it's a pretty impressive engine as it offers the driver a bit of both from the other two on offer. The 3 litre 6 cylinder motor doesn't have the easiest job with the car being bigger car and more heavier, coming in at 2.2 tonnes, it's quite a weight to lug around but with the TwinTurbo power plant, it still manages to deliver an impressive 185kW and 350Nm of torque. With the dual clutch 8 speed M sport automatic gearbox, the cars responsive gear changes are so efficient, there isn't really a need to use the paddle shift. The adaptive driving modes have been updated, with the standard Eco, Comfort and Sport being tweaked to give the driver a better experience, in Eco and Comfort, there is a noticeable lag on take off, which soon disappears when put into Sport mode but the fuel economy does get affected by this switch.
TECH
The car is loaded with some mind blowing technology and as mentioned previously, it has more tech than the 7 Series. From the digital instrument display that changes colour and form in the various driving modes, to the bigger infotainment display which is now dual touch screen and has a new menu layout that is much easier to navigate. Voice controls make it easy for you to get what you want and it is more responsive so you can talk to it normally and not slowly like you had to before, you can control just about anything with the voice control function and I loved using it as it made everything effortless, from making calls to changing the radio station. There is an option for you to have hand gesture control for various functions in the car, which this car didn't come with, which is a pity as I really wanted to try it out. The car had the BMW Connected drive which offers you a world of service from BMW at the touch of a button. The main party trick had to be the display key that came with the car, apart from being able to check vitals of the car as well as fuel range, it had the precondition setting which you could activate before getting into your car, which proved to be extremely handy in the scorching temperatures of the North West. There is another option to the key where you can park the car with the remote while standing outside! The car also is the first BMW to come with an active grille, the grille opens and closes while the car is running and off, ensuring nothing enters the engine bay while the car is parked, apart from being very clever, it's also very cool to see!
STORAGE
The boot on the BMW 5 Series is massive, while the rear wheels do compromise it a bit on space on the sides, it's deep enough to get 3 golf bags in as well as have some space for other stuff as well. Inside the car, there is loads of compartments for storage with the middle unit having a split hatch for easier access. The standard storage for the front passenger also houses the fragrant bottles for the ionic dispenser in the aircon.
VERDICT
Overall I think the nick name given to the G30 suits it to perfection, the car is the ultimate Business Athlete and testing it in one of Africa's busiest cities just proved to me even more why the called it that. It's a perfect balance for the working professional, offering them a great mid sized luxury sedan, packed with technology which they will use on day to day commutes, yet does not compromise on performance or luxury. While the price may be a bit daunting to many, one has to look at what the car offers compared to the others on the market and you'll find that there isn't really much competition, in fact, with the new 5 Series, one can say it's only competition is it's bigger brother the 7 series.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine
3.0 litre, Twin Turbo 6 cylinder
Gear Box
8 speed automatic with paddle shift
Power
185kW
Torque
350Nm
Top Speed
250km/h
0-100km
6.2 seconds
Price
R 850,000*
*Priced without extras and April 1st increase not taken into account.
Last week I found myself in a very fortunate position, while seated in one of the most beautiful cars I have ever driven, the Maserati Ghibli. There's just so much history in that name, from their establishment in 1914 in the Italian town of Bologna, there was one key mission for them and it transpired into their tag line, "Luxury, sports and style cast in exclusive cars". And that's exactly what they've been doing for over the past 100 years, and doing it well. Whilst car enthusiast cast their eyes to the two giants of Italian motorcars in Maranello and Sant'Agata Bolognese, very rarely would they take note at what is coming out of the stable in Bologna. While Maserati now forms a sister company with Ferrari, the partnership has proved for the better, with shared technology in engines and engineering as well with the added bonus of Ferrari's F1 knowledge which has helped later generations of Maserati's compete with the other big boys on the market.
Maserati were synonymous in crafting sports, luxury vehicles and that trend has continued today with their fleet extending from Coupes, Convertibles to large and medium size luxury sedans, and not too long ago they launched their all new SUV, the Levante. Being a fan of large sedans, the Quattroporte was a firm favourite of mine for a while now, it's big, loud and fast but at the same time luxurious. So when Maserati re-launched the Ghibli a few years back, I was quite excited to see a somewhat smaller brother to the Quattroporte. It was very similar in looks but in a smaller frame but encapsulated everything about the brand and the heritage. I got to spend a few days with it during my stay in Cape Town this past week and to say I became infatuated with the car is an understatement.
STYLE
Where do I begin? This car just oozed style and everywhere I went it got the attention of many. The lines are clean and sophisticated with the right amount of elegance that just captures the eye in such a pleasant way. It's low stance gives it that sports car feel but the four doors make it known that is also for business and not for just for pleasure. Subtle details on the car just gives you an indication of the craftsmanship that go into the design of the Ghibli, from the sculpted rear end to the trident badge which adorns the rear pillar of the back door. The three side vents that are place on either side of the car to allow for excess hot air to escape from the engine bay look rather like an accessory than it serving a functional purpose. Everything about the design just flows and works, it really is something special to look at and I caught myself many a time just stopping to admire it. There's various customisations for every Ghibli, from the outside to the interior, ensuring your one is unique to your taste and style.
COMFORT
Italians are known for their quality and this transpires into the cabin of the Ghibli, its a lap of luxury couple with style that only the Italians could get right. Exotic materials and leather make up most of the cabin with the embossed trident proudly on each of the front head rests. The interior plays a major role in setting the Ghibli apart from much of its competitors. The high quality finishes are everywhere to be seen, with perfect stitching throughout the cabin. The large infotainment screen is simple and easy to use. There were some features that I felt the car lacked, for example, heating and cooling seats but it really wasn't a major train smash that the car didn't have them as it had many other bells and whistles. Electronic adjustable memory seats, active cruise control were just some of them. Even with the low ride height and sports suspension, there was no compromise on the quality of the ride comfort and it was something that just astounded me through out my time with the car.
PERFORMANCE
The main talking point, the engine! The Ghibli is powered by a 3 liter twin turbo V6 engine which in fact is made by Ferrari. Although it is a quite powerful unit, the Ghibli isn't as fast as one would expect it to be, the power output derived from the engine is 330bhp, with 243kW and 450Nm of torque. There are other cars in a similar segment that are faster but with the Ghibli, the responsiveness of the engine coupled with the fine tuned exhaust make for a symphony of sound to your eyes, which is elevated when switched over to Sport mode. It is probably one of the best sounding cars around, the noise that come out of those pipes are music to any car enthusiasts ears. But that's not to say the Ghibli is a slouch, it does hunt down the tarmac quite fast and while there is a slight lag in the turbo on normal mode, this dissipates quite quickly when sport mode is engaged. The handling is superb and can be done with one hand but it is not advised. The large aluminium paddles behind the steering wheel give you this race car feel as you flick through the 8 speed gear box while the car devours the road in front of it.
STORAGE
Now being a sports car, you won't expect much but the Ghibli has a rather large loading capacity, the boot is huge! You can easily fit more than one golf bag in there and on the inside you will find various storage compartments for different things. The glove box even has a switch for it to be cooled should you want to store any items that need to be kept cool. With this, the car did display more and more reason as to why it could be an every day car to use.
TECH
As mentioned the Ghibli is packed with features, they could have done slightly better with the infotainment screen, not that it doesn't work well but it just feels a bit generic. The reverse camera quality is also one that needs a mention, while you can see where you are going it could be of better resolution. The cars instrument panel is simple yet striking and bares a resemblance to the one in the Quattroporte, the information screen in the middle can give the driver various information about the car with the flick of a button on his steering wheel. Dual Climate control for the front passengers as well as vents at the back for its occupants, of which I tested quite a lot with the ongoing heatwave in the Western Cape. The car has various ports and blue-tooth connectivity and a banging standard sound system, should you wish to upgrade to something louder, there are options with Bowers and Wilkins as well as Harman Kardon on the list. Glass sunroof with easy to use switches for me are a must and it's great that the test car I had, came with it.
VERDICT
The brands mission statement is "Build ultra-luxury performance automobiles with timeless Italian style, accommodating bespoke interiors, and effortless, signature sound power." and Maserati have not only done this but it's done brilliantly. While many out there may look at the price and be put off but one has to understand the league in which such a vehicle sits in. Whilst there might be cheaper alternatives, the character that the Ghibli has, is severely lacking in many of the others. Also the owner will have a greater sense of appreciation in the product he's paying for. What Maserati have done with the Ghibli is so much more than just make another car, they've made a masterpiece for it's owner to enjoy and boast about.
Late last year BMW released their face lift to their 3 Series, it was an important milestone for the company as it marked the 40th year of production for the popular sedan as explained in my review of the 320i. Although not much was revised in terms of styling of the cars, 90% of the range received brand new engines and of this I spoke very highly about the 320i, I fell in love with that over the 7 days I had it, it honestly seemed like the perfect fit for my life and driving style. This year however I was given two other variants that got me thinking and could eventually sway may decision.
I got a call in the second week of the year, the BMW 320d and 318i were both available for test, of course I said yes to both. On one had you got the intro level diesel engine and the other, the much talked about 1,5ltr engine that had everyone raving about. The 3 Series is BMW's money maker, it's the most sold in volume and iconic in it's very own right as it was for most part of it's 40 years the entry level range to the German Motor manufacturers stable, so it was good to see that the latest variant was living up to the values of its predecessors.
Style
320d - First up, the 320d rolled in for a week, the colour, Jatoba Metallic which was a brownish, charcoal colour with a full creme interior that matched it to perfection. The car sporting the Luxury package with high gloss wood finishes, chrome edges and elegant smoked 17" rims made it look like a proper luxury saloon. That's the thing with BMW, yes the optional extra list can go a bit but you can customise your car so well with it. Making your own unique and to your taste.
318i - In what was almost a spitting image of the 320d I had the week before, the 318i was almost exactly the same. The differences came with the rims and of course, single exhaust pipe as the diesel model had twin. The rims being the standard alloy colour didn't suit the colour as well as the smoked rims did, so that took me a while to get used to. Other than that, the car looked immaculate.
Comfort
Going inside the car, the colour combinations of dark wood and creme leather and carpets was pleasing on the eye. The ride quality on the 320d and 318i were no different to that of the 320i I had last year. For a sedan aimed at the working class market, buyers of the car are getting premium finishes that one can also find in the 6 or 7 series. That's what I like about BMW, no matter the model, there is a consistency in quality that you won't find in other manufacturers. Same goes for ride quality, as it's unparalleled to its competitors but maintained throughout the range.
Performance
320d - the 2ltr 140kw diesel engine was impressive in terms of power and performance, plenty of torque with minimal turbo lag from the Twin Power turbo plant. Improved fuel economy which saw it's average consumption dropped to 4.0 ltr per 100km in ideal conditions, I managed 6.3ltr per 100km and I'm sure I could get it down to 5 if I drove it diligently but with all that torque, it would have seemed a waste to do so.
318i - While engine used in this car is shared with a Mini Cooper, don't be fooled by what it can do. Yes it is a bit sluggish on take off but it more than makes up for it when you on the road as it picks up paces quite quickly after passing 60kph. I was very impressed with the pulling power and the way it managed to carry the heavy body of the car even with a full load of passengers. I had the standard automatic gear box with this one and normally I do feel the ratio's and timings are poor with it but they seemed to have fixed that issue, so no unnecessary high revving and wasting fuel, which ultimately does wonders for its consumption.
Driving
320d - Honestly, driving both cars was a pleasure but with obvious reasoning the 320d did offer the better drive. It was more responsive on acceleration thanks to the torque, more faster but even though the engine has been refined, the sound is unmistakably diesel. It doesn't bother me at all but for many this hinders their choice in purchasing diesel. For me the cost savings speak for itself. Diesel is many places is cheaper than petrol and it doubles your range than what you would get in a petrol engine of the same capacity.
318i - While it did lack power at times, I can't fault the driving experience in the 318i. I was really impressed by by this car. As said before, the engine is more than capable to haul this big sedan around with ease and without using more fuel which is an added bonus. I was told that due to the coastal conditions that this car will perform even better than it would in higher altitude, so you have to take that into consideration as well.
Extras
Both cars came loaded with the best that the 3 series range had to offer, the lighting package really makes the car look stunning at night with welcome lights below the door handles. The camera package is becoming more and more essential to my needs with the car, not that it makes you lazy when it comes to parking but it provides you with a view of things you wouldn't normally see from your mirrors. If you want to be lazy you can always opt for the park assist feature which firstly scans for an appropriate parking spot then parks your car for you! Other extra's included the Harman Kardon hifi sound system with stereo 7 logic and one extra which I love, the adaptive LED headlights.
Verdict
Overall after driving both engines, I can't say which one is better as they both have that charm about them and of course their use for a driver. the 318i is perfect for your daily run around, whether its to work or picking up the kids from school and running errands whilst the 320d is great for that was well but on long distance travels it really shows it's class with great speed and even better fuel consumption. If I had to choose, it would be the 320d, it suits my driving style and lifestyle. It's a cruise but packs that punch should you want to open it up a bit every now and then.
