TOP 6: FOUR DOOR COUPÉS

Have it both ways - the fun of sporting coupés with added practicality

The sports coupé has always been an aspirational concept. We love them because they represent the care-free times in our lives. They’re dramatic, with clean lines unbroken by rear doors or the need for a cavernous boot. However, offering minimal space, fitted with inconveniently large doors and comedy rear seating, these are always heart-over-head choices. 

Now, it is time to have your cake and eat it. Here are our favourite four-door coupés and sports cars which maximise practicality without sacrificing image or style.

                         MERCEDES-BENZ CLS

One of the boldest for-door coupé shapes and now in its second generation, the Mercedes-Benz CLS is both dramatic and stylish. In 5.5-litre AMG guise, it also offers blistering performance. A slightly difficult shape on launch, the CLS has now mellowed and indeed its design has underpinned many of the smaller models from Mercedes. The car’s size means there is no compromise when it comes to space and the technology puts the CLS at the front of the pack when it comes to safety.
                                          ASTON MARTIN RAPIDE S

Embodying all which is good about Aston Martin, the Rapide S is a proper four-door sports car. From any angle, it is instantly recognisable as an Aston Martin; it is beautifully proportioned, often demanding that second glance to see that yes, it really does have four doors. A beautiful interior and that delightful V12 engine (delivering a thumping 620Nm torque) make progress effort.

                           VOLKSWAGEN CC

One of the more subtle transformations from saloon to coupé is by Volkswagen. The CC has even dropped the Passat name (on which the car is based) and forms the company’s most elegant four-door model. The CC is well-built and is sold in fairly small numbers so retains some exclusivity. Available with Volkswagen’s efficient engines and smooth, dual clutch automatic gearboxes, the CC certainly satisfies both the head and the heart.

               MASERATI QUATTROPORTE

                  

Of all the four-door models here, the Maserati Quattroporte stands-out for its name alone, even before exploring the elegant Italian coachwork. Certainly, this is the most fitting car for the drive down through Europe to the Tuscan villa. It matters little which engine it carries; the flowing lines and exquisite interior make this a piece of true automotive art.

                          PORSCHE PANAMERA

It is simply-styled but at over five metres long, the Panamera is certainly hard to miss. Now also available as plug-in hybrid or diesel, Porsche offers a staggering range of power units, allowing drivers to minimise emissions while enjoying the car’s good dynamics. As its name suggests, this would be our choice for a New York to San Francisco coast-to-coast.

                                    AUDI A7

Audi is master of creating niche-within-a-niche vehicles, so it is no surprise the company offers more than one four -door coupé. While the A5 Sportback is the prettier car, the size of the A7 Sportback gives it greater presence on the road. For the performance enthusiast, there is the rapid RS A7, reaching 100km/h in less than four seconds. Add Audi’s fabled four-wheel-drive and this is our choice for the Alpine skiing trip.