4 Series (F32) [Spy Shots] The BMW 4 series GranCoupe is spied cold-weather-testing in Sweden

[EnI]

No, marcus, I'm asking you again:

What about in the case 4er GC was a 4dr car? Would it make more sense then - overlapping with 3er sedan, not 3er GT? So, overlapping with a mainstream model is OK while overlapping with another niche vehicle is an overkill?

Without a any "ifs" ... You know from the spy pics how the 4er GC looks like. You know how the 3er sedan looks. And how the 3er GT looks. And from press reports you can get how those cars drive - assuming that 4er GC driving characteristics will be very similar to 4er Coupe ones. Now answer my questions. Why would - looking as it is, driving as it is - 4er GC make more sense in 4dr layout than in 5dr layout (since the only f**** difference is the rear window either stays down or opens together with a trunk lid). Design stays the same as seen in the spy pics: very sedanish. So, IYO another hatchback in 3er/4er family is on overkill while another sedan would be OK? Why so?

 

[wac77]

So Prius being a hybrid outweighs the fact the car is a hatchback? And Tesla S being EV outweighs the hatchback layout? And Porsche badge on a car's nose outweighs hatchback styling in Panamera's case? And in 4er GC there's nothing that special to outweighs its hatchback nature?

Correct on all counts. IMHO.

 

[EnI]

^

So I guess 4er GC plug-in hybrid would sell well then.

I'm asking you ... You know from the pics 4er GC looks much more like a sedan than a hatchback. Nobody can really tell it's a hatchback - it's only evident when the tail gate is open and from details a listed above (and 99.9% of people doesn't even notice them). So, having a 5dr coupe (=hatchback) that looks more like a 4dr coupe (=sedan) ... does that still carries stigma & is a status-killer & a deal breaker? What kills the deal if there's no really typical & evident hatchback look on the car? The fact that trunk lid opens together with the rear window? The fact you are aware it's hatchback - although nobody else notice it unless you open the trunk?

 

[wac77]

^

So I guess 4er GC plug-in hybrid would sell well then.

I'm asking you ... You know from the pics 4er GC looks much more like a sedan than a hatchback. Nobody can really tell it's a hatchback - it's only evident when the tail gate is open and from details a listed above (and 99.9% of people doesn't even notice them). So, having a 5dr coupe (=hatchback) that looks more like a 4dr coupe (=sedan) ... does that still carries stigma & is a status-killer & a deal breaker? What kills the deal if there's no really typical & evident hatchback look on the car? The fact that trunk lid opens together with the rear window? The fact you are aware it's hatchback - although nobody else notice it unless you open the trunk?

The details you listed are not clear enough proof of the 5-door configuration for me. Until I see a picture that's undisguised, or one with the tailgate open, I won't be fully convinced it's a hatchback. Particularly given the fact that BMW already has a hatchback version of the 3er (taller, roomier, etc., I know, but still too close).

And again, if the 4 GC is a hatchback, it would be less desirable in my book.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

BMW is hardly placing itself in a position of assuming incalculable risk by introducing a 4 series Gran Coupe. In this particular case, it is really no big deal that BMW is attempting to exploit a rather small market niche. The investment in the project is relatively small. And the car will surely find its' buyers. In fact, I would venture a prediction that more 4 series Gran Coupes will be sold in Europe than Audi A5 Sportbacks.

 

[Merc1]

No, marcus, I'm asking you again:

What about in the case 4er GC was a 4dr car? Would it make more sense then - overlapping with 3er sedan, not 3er GT? So, overlapping with a mainstream model is OK while overlapping with another niche vehicle is an overkill?

Without a any "ifs" ... You know from the spy pics how the 4er GC looks like. You know how the 3er sedan looks. And how the 3er GT looks. And from press reports you can get how those cars drive - assuming that 4er GC driving characteristics will be very similar to 4er Coupe ones. Now answer my questions. Why would - looking as it is, driving as it is - 4er GC make more sense in 4dr layout than in 5dr layout (since the only f**** difference is the rear window either stays down or opens together with a trunk lid). Design stays the same as seen in the spy pics: very sedanish. So, IYO another hatchback in 3er/4er family is on overkill while another sedan would be OK? Why so?

Again since you didn't seem to understand it before. If the 4-Series was a different from the 3-Series as the 6 Series is as different from the 5-Series, there would be a clear reason to buy a 4GC.....style. Since the 4-Series is really just a 3-Series coupe with a different badge, the 4 GC looks pointless, especially considering that styling is the reason why people are buying these 4-door coupes. Then again we don't know how the 4GC will look we don't even know how many doors it will have. Is that more succinct for you? As it stands right now the 3 GT and the 4 GC look like they're going to be the same type of vehicle, a 5-door whatever. One of them is not needed. Period. You've already given a gaggle of lame excuses as to why the 4GC can't be too much different from the 3-Series, like the 6 GC is from the 5-Series. Doesn't matter if it looks like a hatchback or not, when people go to see the car they will know then and turn away, at least in the hatchback adverse U.S.


M

 

[klier]

Sweet Jesus what a bunch of BS here in this thread. Incredible. Get a room or something next time.

The funny thing is that people were complaining in pretty much exactly the same way with the 6er GC before it came out. It was just a 5er yada yada yada.
Lets just wait until we see the 4er GC in real life (or even official shots) and next to a regular 3er sedan before we draw these stupid conclusions.

Also, I wonder when Merc1 will realise the U.S is not the center of the world...probably never.

 

[mini_cooper4]

I'm here to discuss ballet too!

A

 

[Deleted member 1071]

It´s the same 4GC which already posted by Scott.

The rearwards ascending swirly-foil furnish the optical illusion of height-or perhaps better said: a car that appears to be "jacked up". Imagine the car without the foil and one can sense that it will be far more low-slung in appearance than these photographs lead to believe.

Source: BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe caught on test in Germany

 

[Foxfire]

And again, if the 4 GC is a hatchback, it would be less desirable in my book.

I don't get that. It's the silhouette and the styling differences vs "normal sedan" that make the largest difference. If Gran-coupe/4(5) door coupe category is about having more style vs 3 box sedan while still retaining most of the practicality, I see little argument that a liftgate at the rear would make the car less desirable. If you disregard the doors for rear passengers (the distinction between this category and "regular" coupes), do you find cars like Aston Martin Vantage, Porsche Cayman, etc. less desirable simply because they have a more practical liftgate? That's absurd.

All that being said, I wish 4er line was more differentiated in styling details other than the silhouette from the regular 3er line. That's the only negative I have.

 

[wac77]

I don't get that. It's the silhouette and the styling differences vs "normal sedan" that make the largest difference. If Gran-coupe/4(5) door coupe category is about having more style vs 3 box sedan while still retaining most of the practicality, I see little argument that a liftgate at the rear would make the car less desirable. If you disregard the doors for rear passengers (the distinction between this category and "regular" coupes), do you find cars like Aston Martin Vantage, Porsche Cayman, etc. less desirable simply because they have a more practical liftgate? That's absurd.

I could reverse the argument and ask why don't the 6 GC and the CLS get a 5th door, like an A7? They would be as stylish as they are now, yet more practical, right? But no, I think they would be less desirable/sucessful. Again, just my opinion, but I think many people share it. In any case, not absurd.

And why don't they add a liftgate to other (2dr) coupes as well, to make them more practical?

A final consideration is that BMW already has more practical hatchbacks at that level, namely 3 GT and the upcoming X4.

 

[Foxfire]

I could reverse the argument and ask why don't the 6 GC and the CLS get a 5th door, like an A7? They would be as stylish as they are now, yet more practical, right? But no, I think they would be less desirable/sucessful. Again, just my opinion, but I think many people share it. In any case, not absurd.

And why don't they add a liftgate to other (2dr) coupes as well, to make them more practical?

I certainly wouldn't mind them adding a liftgate to 2dr coupes or other 6GC, provided everything else, especially the roofline stay the same. It's all about execution. You really think the liftgate on an Aston Martin V8 Vantage makes it less desirable? Or the one on the Cayman?
Turning back to the 4/5 door "coupes" > the one on the Panamera doesn't either, what makes it less desirable is the bulbous rear end and the silhouette… The Aston Rapide certainly doesn't have that problem. Even Tesla Model S has a good execution.

 

[Rainer271]

BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe Puts on its M Styling Costume


While we've seen camouflaged testers of the upcoming BMW 4-Series Gran Coupe before, this one is wearing the Bavarian firm's usually tasty M Sport package, which in some markets at least, will be offered as one of the available trim grades, probably at a similar cost as on the 4-Series Coupe ($3,500 in the U.S.).
With this example finished in one of the traditional M Sport colors dubbed Estoril Blue, the kit contains M-specific front and rear bumpers, the latter fitted with a black diffuser of sorts, side skirts, different wheels and black finish for the window trims.
We can’t see it from these pictures, but the M Sport models will also get sportier front seats, M-specific steering wheel and gearshift knob for manual models, plus several other unique trim items, and a lowered and tighter sports suspension.
Positioned in BMW's range as an alternative for those looking for a sportier looking 3-Series Sedan or a more practical and roomier four-door 4-Series Coupe, the Gran Coupe will have a curved roofline and frameless doors, while riding on the same extended wheelbase (2,920mm) as the 3-Series GT (Gran Turismo) and the China market 3-Series LWB.
The entire engine range will mirror that of the 3-Series and 4-Series models with both diesel and gasoline units on offer. We could see an M4 Gran Coupe as well.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS

 

[Merc1]

A 3-Series with a rear hatch....YAWN. Ultimate Waste of Resources.

M

 

[tomazino]

So that means that 4 series coupe is just a 3 seeries without rear doors? Oh, waste of resources. We all need just series 3. Yeahhh!

 

[mini_cooper4]

So that means that 4 series coupe is just a 3 seeries without rear doors? Oh, waste of resources. We all need just series 3. Yeahhh!

No, we don't even need the 3-Series... it's just a smaller 5-Series!
Who thought that a 7-Series was a good idea at all!? We don't need the 1-Series since it's a hatchback and you should be out of your mind to choose a hatch over a sedan. Europeans are truly stupid I guess! They all buy the same car!
Just look at this 4GC... that rear hatch is completely ruining its stance!!!!!! Those shut lines... DAMN!

 

[aleks_16]

The 4er is a direct rival to the A5. What did you expect? From the begining it was clear that it will feature a hatch rear. It will be something like a successor of the 2002 touring. Poeple who wants a M3 touring could be pleased with a M4 "gran coupe"
p.s. a render

 

[SKY]

OPS!! Here it is, the BUT of this car. Too fastback IMO. I notice it when comparing the end of the rear door with the glass house and the hoff kink.

 

[klier]

A 3-Series with a rear hatch....YAWN. Ultimate Waste of Resources.

M

Sorry, Captain America

Europeans will love it for sure...but that's maybe a bit hard to imagine for some..

 

[Rainer271]

BMW 4-Series GranCoupe on sale next June, M version slated for 2015 - report


To make public debut at 2014 Geneva Motor Show

A new report concerning the BMW 4-Series GranCoupe says the model will reach dealerships next June.
Essentially a four-door coupe version of the 3-Series, the new 4-Series GranCoupe will be shown to the public in March at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show before going on sale in June. The car will be offered in 420i, 420d, 428i and 435i versions, but U.S. buyers will only get to choose between the 428i and the 435i models.
It will have a longer rear window and a slightly stretched wheelbase which will offer more legroom for passengers sitting in the back. Other than that, the 4-Series GranCoupe will be essentially the same as the recently unveiled 4-Series Coupe and will borrow a nearly identical interior cabin which we recently spied.
The BMW M4 GranCoupe is likely to be introduced sometime around 2015.

Source: BMW 4-Series GranCoupe on sale next June, M version slated for 2015 - report