WE'RE a greedy lot these days. Owners of four-wheel-drives demand they handle like a sports car and those who run around in a budget hatchback expect the refinement of a Jag.

Little by little, the clever people who design our cars have been responding. Hence your big saloon sips fuel like a miser with an overdraft (especially if it's a diesel) and your basic runabout comes with air-con and electric window lifts.

One of the most recent developments to satisfy the aesthetically minded is the emergence of the four-door coupe.

The Merc CLS kicked off the trend, followed by the Passat CC - now known purely by the two initials. But possibly the best looking offering is the 6-Series Gran Coupe from BMW.

To my eyes, it's among the most beautifully styled cars on the road today - irrespective of category.

The flowing lines flow seamlessly from the squat duel kidney grille creating light and shade just where they are required. It looks fast even when standing still - always a sign of living design.

Available as a petrol or diesel three-litre, it is the oil burner that holds most appeal. The 640d is as quick as the petrol, has bags more torque and will return more 30 per cent better fuel economy.

It's about two and a half grand dearer though, carrying a price tag of £68,565 for the 640d M Sport which I drove.

As a trans-European express for four people, few cars can rival its ability to transport at speed and in luxury.

It strikes the ideal balance between high performance with the dynamics of a sports car alongside cosseting comfort that you'd expect from a large expensive saloon.

Legroom front and back is more than enough for six-footers and the hide trim/wood veneer trim is sumptuous. I could have done with a few more flat surfaces and usable cubbies for everyday usage, however.

Of course, there's a price to be paid for those sleek, graceful shape...the roofline is several centimetres lower making entry and exit that bit less graceful.

Another minor quibble which has arisen because of the elegant shape is the restricted rear visibility through the shallow back screen.

Beneath the long tapering bonnet there's a 309bhp powerhouse which will whisk the 6-Series Gran Coupe up to 62mph in a swift 5.4 seconds and on to an electronically limited 155mph.

The eight-speed automatic gearbox does a great job in swapping ratios quicker than the human hand. It's slick and smooth and you can if you wish play around with the steering wheel paddles for manual changes.

The diesel power unit is largely undetectable other than the huge resources of torque offered making mincemeat of overtaking manoeuvres.

Official combined economy is very nearly 50mpg and in real life driving the low 40s is quite attainable. My average was 43.4mpg which I thought quite amazing for such a powerful saloon...sorry coupe.

Expensive though the 6-Series Gran Coupe definitely is, as stunning luxury travel which draws huge numbers of admiring stares it must be considered an unqualified success.