The BMW 428i Gran Coupe – launched

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As it is with any story, it all starts with a summary of how things stand. BMW has changed the way it names its models with the regular sedan shapes having the odd numbered moniker such as the 3/5/7 series (let’s pretend the 1-series doesn’t exist) while coupe silhouettes are even numbered 2/4/6-series. The 4-series has been receiving international acclaim for its sleek bold front and so far, we’ve seen the 2-door variants 420i, 428i and 435i making its way here, as well as the stylish 428i Convertible being introduced on April this year. Today, we welcome the 3rd variant; the 4-door 428i Gran Coupe (I’d call it GC for short), perfect for families with a headcount larger than 2 who prefers not to be sliding the front seats forward and back whenever they need to access the rear seats.

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Like all 4-series, the coupe incorporates Air Breathers behind the front wheel arches and Air Curtains on the far right and left of the car’s front. Opt for the M Sport package and the elegance of the GC gets augmented with dynamism and aggression. As if the natural grace of the 4-er doesn’t stand out as it does already.

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Even though it has 4 doors, the GC has the same dimensions of the 2-door variant – except for the roof which is 112mm longer as it provides a little but more headroom for occupants in the car. All four doors have frameless windows which accentuates the lines of the car, making it a true hallmark of BMW design which has always made achingly beautiful coupes.

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At the back, you’ll find L-shaped tail lights with twin tail pipes tipped with chrome or chrome black depending on whether you opt for the M Sport package or not.

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Performance

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Powering the 428i GC is a 2.0litre in-line 4 petrol engine which produces 245hp @ 5,000 – 6,500rpm and 350Nm of torque from 1,250 – 4,800rpm. 0-100kph is achieved in 6 seconds flat and has a top speed of 250km/h. The engine is paired to an 8-speed ZF sports automatic gearbox and fuel consumption is rated at 6.4litres/100km.

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Cabin Convenience

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Everything is properly “BMW” in here and those who’ve experienced the newer BMW models will feel right at home here. First off, you get plush Dakota leather for all seats, aluminium trim finishers, dual zone climate control and an 8.8″ HD display monitor infotainment system with sat-nav. Sound is played through a 205W 9 speaker system or a 600W Harman Kardon 16 speaker surround sound system if the M Sport package option is selected.

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Sport seats for driver and passenger – no better way to make you feel hugged and loved than to rest your back on these.

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Instead of 60:40 split folding rear seats, you get 80:20:80 which increases the versatility of the car in ferrying long, odd shaped cargo.

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Boot space has been improved over the 2-door where you now get 480litres of space, up 35litres. The tail gate can be remotely opened and closed

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Safety

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• Airbags for driver and front passenger
• Head airbags, front to rear, covering the entire window
• Side airbags for driver and front passenger, integrated into the front seat backrests (total 6 airbags)
• Central locking system with electric immobiliser and crash sensor
• Child seat ISOFIX attachments at the rear
• Disc brakes at the front and rear, interior ventilation
• Dynamic braking lights
• DSC
• ABS
• ASC
• CBC
• DTC
• Head airbags, front to rear, covering the entire window
• Run-flat tyres and flat re indicator
• Park Distance Control (PDC), front and rear

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Specifications

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Exterior

• Xenon headlights for high and low beam, including LED light rings
• 18″ light alloy wheels Double-spoke style 397, 8J x 18/ tyres 225/45 R18
• Decorative moulding side frame black matt
• Exclusively designed kidney bars in high-gloss black
• Exhaust tailpipe, dual, round with pipe finisher in chrome black
• Front ornamental grille, kidney grille with chrome surround
• ‘Sport’ Line badge
• Trim elements on bumper front/rear and air intakes in high-gloss black
• Exterior mirrors with automatic anti-dazzle function, including fold-in function

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Interior

• Dakota leather upholstery
• Door sill finishers, aluminium, with “BMW Sport” designation
• HiFi loudspeaker system (205W, 9 loudspeakers)
• Instrument cluster with specific gauge-dial printing and chrono scaling
• Interior trim finishers Aluminium, with highlight trim finishers in Black high-gloss
• Signature key with red highlight
• Sports leather steering wheel with exclusive red stitching, with gearshift paddles
• Sports seats for driver and passenger
• Cruise control with braking function
• Automatic anti-dazzle rear view miror
• Light package including reading lights, vanity mirror lights, ambience lights, front and rear, lights at footwell, exit and luggage compartment
• Rain sensor, automatic activation control for windscreen wipers and driving lights
• Automatic air-conditioning, dual zone with extended contents, including rear air-vents
• Heat-insulated glass, green, all round
• Multifunction buttons for steering wheel
• Seat adjustment, electric, with memory function for driver
• Armrest at the front, folding, with integrated storage compartment
• Automatic operation of tailgate
• Center armrest, rear, including 2 cupholders
• Comfort access system
• Personal profile, personalisation of important operating functions
• Start/Stop button, including Auto Start/Stop OFF button
• Storage compartment package
• AUX-IN connection, in the center console
• BMW Apps
• BMW Live
• BMW TeleServices
• Connectivity, Bluetooth and USB devices, with extended functionality Navigation system Professional, with high-definition 8.8″ display monitor, 3-D map and arrow display, DVD drive, hard-disc for maps and audio data, MP3 decoder, including iTouch controller with direct menu control buttons
• On-board computer including Check Control

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M Sport Package

Exterior

• 18″ M light alloy wheels Double-spoke style 441M with mixed tyres, front: 8J x 18/ tyres 225/45 R18, rear: 9J 18 / tyres 225/40 R18
• BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line
• Exclusively designed kidney bars in high-gloss black
• Exhaust tailpipe, dual, round with end pipe finisher in chrome
• Front ornamental grille, kidney grille with chrome surround
• M Aerodynamics package

Interior

• BMW Individual headliner anthracite
• Dakota leather upholstery
• Door sill finishers, with “M” designation
• Glass roof, electrical
• Harman Kardon surround sound system (600W, 16 loudspeakers)
• Instrument cluster with specific gauge-dial printing and chrono scaling
• Interior trim finishers in aluminium Hexagon
• M leather steering wheel with gearshift paddles
• Signature key with blue highlight
• Sports seats for driver and passenger

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Ownership and Maintenance

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The BMW 428i Gran Coupe can be yours for RM389,800 OTR excluding insurance. Opt for the M sport package and the price tag increases by RM29,000. In addition, there is a telematic platform accessory you can include which allows vehicle tracking and recovery with safety upgrade for the price of RM5,900. The GC comes with 2 years manufacturr’s warranty and 3-years (or 60,000km whichever comes first) free maintanence, servicing and repair which includes free brake pads, free brake discs, free drive belts, free oil changes, free filters and free scheduled inspections.

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So, which is better? The 3-series or this one if you’re looking for a 4 door vehicle. It boils down to a few things;

1) Do you regularly ferry elderlies who may have trouble sitting into a low-slung car? Get the 3-er

2) Do you have a budget issue? Get the 3-er

3) Do you want style, beauty and elegance? The 428i GC, without a doubt

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Now, where do I sign to sell my kidney?

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