[crackberry]

Those head lights look a little buggy to me (reminiscent of the 1 series?).

There are a lot of Asians and Chinese people who buy BMWs in LA. In Chinese, 4 is a bad luck number because it sounds like the word "death." So lots of Chinese people in LA and in China will not buy the 4 series due to superstition.

[Diver]

Too many numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6,7. I guess they wanted no gaps.

[PTA85]

Leave everything as it is and keep the M3 like the E30 the original M3.

[Evolution_GT]

Autobild always comes out with the same thing... their sketches are always more square and boxy... especially the headlights. They need to get a little more creative.

[markymarc1979]

BMW better careful or they will end up like GM. Too many cars in their line up and not enough people buying them. A 4 series is ridicolous.

[Kiemyster]

Looks like an elongated E92 with audi's new styling... I saw the A7 in person and thought the back of that car was a disaster. It did not flow, the lines seemed like they were crashing into each other.... I dont dig separating the 3 because if you have an M3 convert thats a 4 series body, then we'll fucking end up with an M4 being the Coupe/cabrio and M3 being GT only so WTF! (assuming they dont go sedan). What the fux going on these days.

[crackberry]

Originally Posted by wallstreet

Maybe they shall wait for the 8 series.

They really should bring back the 8 series. It would be a hit with the Chinese.

[kumar911]

I'm not really liking this, it seems like BMW is just watering down the brand inorder to compete with Mercedes.

[Evolution_GT]

Originally Posted by markymarc1979

BMW better careful or they will end up like GM. Too many cars in their line up and not enough people buying them. A 4 series is ridicolous.

I beg to differ... it'll be a perfect competitor to MB's E-class coupe... a more luxurious 3 series... perfect for the buyer that can't afford a 6-series. It'll probably be better for us that like the sportiness of the 3-series coupe... cause then with a more luxurious coupe at a cheaper price point they can make the 3-series more sporty

[pokerface]

go figure. Benz is consolidating its nomenclature. ie., CLK-> E coupe, CL -> S coupe, CLC -> C coupe

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by Evolution_GT

I beg to differ... it'll be a perfect competitor to MB's E-class coupe... a more luxurious 3 series... perfect for the buyer that can't afford a 6-series. It'll probably be better for us that like the sportiness of the 3-series coupe... cause then with a more luxurious coupe at a cheaper price point they can make the 3-series more sporty

I have another suggestion. You said it will be a more luxurious 3 series, and perhaps you are assuming that because it is a 4-series BMW can naturally charge more, and can therefore add luxury features into the development.

I don't think they 4-series will be at all different than the current 3-coupe, just carrying a higher perceived value by people who understand 3 > 4 logic. Yes, the current 3 coupe is more expensive than the 3 sedan so how is this different? The 4 badge adds another level of "status" that BMW can profit from - that is all.

[Dackelone]

Here are some more photos from this week's AutoBild...

[Coni]

Why is it that whenever scott posts pictures of not yet released cars, the pictures are always from autobild? I smell conspiracy here...

[samchoi604]

I always take rumors and renders with a grain of salt, but that's just me...

[GOLFFRR]

hmm interesting

[antzcrashing]

if the car looks like this it will be a winner.

[turb0mike]

yuck

[SCOTT26]

BMW have kept the evolutionary appearance on the account of the current car is the best selling 3er Coupe to date. BMW credit this on the fact that the car is no longer a two door sedan but a singular model with it's own style and individuality.
The 3er Coupe/Cabrio has seen new customers for the first time , especially because of the exclusivity and Premium appearance of the Coupe and Cabrio.

The next generation car is significant for this decade , because it is in the segment that will grow and the new car retains a premium make over , because this new 4er Coupe and Cabrio will become more profitable than before.

The styling is evolutionary but brings forth some new elements to exert the premiumness of the car and to illustrate it's proximity with it's larger brother the 6er.
Some elements carried over to the 4er from the 6er include the similiar boat plowing through waves imprinted on the lower flanks , although the 4er begins much earlier in the door skin and allows the characterline to overlap forming the decorative side intake with will designate the engine and whether xDrive is featured. The side repeater is relocated to the mirror. The glasshouse becomes more shallower , allowing for the cars stretched proportions.

The front end of the car receives a wide grille , surrounded by slanted headlamp units , similar in shape to todays car with shapely flicks at each corner , where they surround the grille. To add more premiumness and a relationship to the bigger 6er brother the repeaters are located underneath the headlamp units , however they are covered by the main glass cover and are not individual elements like the 6er Coupe.

At the rear the car progresses the outgoing look of the Coupe but with more dynamic shaped rear tail lamps that wrap around the body in a similar fashion that the previous E60 5er did , but with a more slimmer look. Aping the look of the current car a more BMW-like L-Shape is applied but the base of the units angles diagonally upwards to the recess for the licence plate, it gives a more dramatic feel and adds more sports orientated profile to the rear. The L-Shape are longer than before and like the 6er will offer exclusive LED technology.

The Cabrio retains a 3 piece folding hard-top for more exclusivity and the reputation of the car as a popular boulevard cruiser in which the demographic of owners is dominately female.
In some markets - China for example. The 3er Cabrio (E93) outsells the relevant Coupe due to the car appealing to younger customers.

The 4er Gran Coupe transmits some of the Coupes elegant style but with four doors. The Gran Coupe model will be BMW's lowest (in height) four door yet.

[antzcrashing]

Scott you are saying that every 4 series coupe or gran coupe gets full LED tail lights? If so thats great.

Will the 5-series follow suit?

[Carchitect]

Reminds me of the volkswagen CC, from the side at least. Will be interesting to see the front

[Fraggy]

I remember this naming crap from last and I'd bet a lot it's not gonna happen. The 3 brand name is WAY to strong and entrenched.

[SCOTT26]

It is going to happen.


The 3er will consist of Sedan , Touring and Gran Turismo (Touring and GT possibly not US bound)

The 4er will consist of Coupe , Cabrio and Gran Coupe.

Given that M are going to make greater use of the Sub-brand - M3 will remain and will be available as Coupe , Cabrio and Gran Coupe.
The scope for the M3 is that it is not just a faster 335i it is a totally different car . And the future M3 will distinguish itself further from the Coupe.