BMW 4 Series M Sport coupe

What is it?

This used to be called the 3 Series Coupe, but in honour of its dedicated customer base, BMW decided to develop it into a model in its own right: the BMW 4 Series.

While the interior is straight out of the 3 Series, every exterior panel is distinctive on the 4 Series Coupe – except for the bonnet – so you cannot accuse BMW of a re-badging exercise.

In fact the BMW 4 Series Coupe is longer, lower and wider than the 3 Series, with the rear widened by a significant 81mm, giving the car a very squat, muscular appearance from behind.

Equipment levels are higher than the 3 Series Coupe it replaces, but prices have gone up too and are more on a par with the 5 Series than the 3 Series.

Luckily, many of the mechanicals are drawn from the 3 and 5 Series, which share key engines.

While one of these is the renowned and frugal 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel, predicted to account for 60% of sales in the UK, our review car was the 3.0- litre, straight-six petrol version which is arguably more in keeping with the beautiful and fast appeal of the Four Series, despite higher running costs.