4 Series (F32/F33/F36) [Spyshots] F36 BMW 4er Gran Coupe (Spy Pics & Info)

[K-A]

Looks more like a GT than a GC to me in these pics. That chamo may be covering up some sleekness, and it has a utility/Hatchback look to it.

Is this gonna have the Wagon-esque treatment at the rear door shutline/greenhouse/c-pillar, i.e that multi-pillar look (a'la BMW SUV's, Wagons, and GT's) or is it gonna have the Sedan type of treatment, with a clean sweep of the hoffmeister curve mating right into the c-pillar? Based on the pictures it looks like it's getting the Wagon-esque c-pillar treatment for some odd reason.

 

[klier]

^ The latter. The 4er GC will get a Hofmeister like the current 5er sedan, 3er sedan and 7er sedan; integrated into the door. And not like a 5er Touring, X3, X5 or 5er GT

 

[Levi68]

So in your world a 3 series coupe doesn't exist, given it has 2 doors and 4/5 seats

It does. I could explain you more, but I don't want to continue any off-topic discussion, as anyway all this is personal subjective view that defers from one person to another.


F30 is growing on me, F32 may bring everything one step further, and after seeing the F06, the F36 may just be the "best" BMW ever. Let us wait and see.

 

[klier]

Nah, a BMW coupe will always be better than it's sedan counterpart. The F32 will rule them all.

 

[SKY]

Nah, a BMW coupe will always be better than it's sedan counterpart. The F32 will rule them all.

That´s the fail part in the whole Gran Coupe sub-brand IMO. The coupes use to be more expensive. If the F32 is the two door version of the F36, why is the Gran Coupe marketed as the more exclusive version?

 

[Levi68]

That´s the fail part in the whole Gran Coupe sub-brand IMO. The coupes use to be more expensive. If the F32 is the two door version of the F36, why is the Gran Coupe marketed as the more exclusive version?

Coupé is more than Sedan, but when GranCoupé is more than Coupé because it has two more doors.

 

[klier]

It has nothing to do with having two doors more. And everything with looking like the coupe counterpart as much as possible while still having 4 doors.
The 4er GC will have all the 4er design details, like a 6er GC has all 6er design details and no 5er design. The exclusivity comes from looking like a coupe while being a sedan.

That´s the fail part in the whole Gran Coupe sub-brand IMO. The coupes use to be more expensive. If the F32 is the two door version of the F36, why is the Gran Coupe marketed as the more exclusive version?

Because times are changing. A 'coupe-sedan' is the new hot thing ever since the CLS came out, and BMW is catching up. MB started it all, including asking a premium for a remodeled E-class.
It's pretty logical, too. a coupe is common sight, a coupe-sedan is not.

 

[Hofmeister]

I really dont mind either the GT or GC but both seems really unnecessary. I mean imagine the choice someone has if they walk into a BMW dealer in the near future with £35-40K in their back pocket:a very high-end 1er 3-door, 3er Saloon, 3er GT, 4er Coupe, a low-end 5-Series not to mention in a couple of years time the 2er Coupe and convertible. Talk about choice paralysis?!

 

[klier]

Talk about needing those cars in order to grow as a company

BTW, I made a quick PS for the outline of the rear door/greenhouse for both the 3er GT and 4er GC:

 

[SCOTT27]

@ klier...
You have nailed the look of the 4er Gran Coupe.
There is still some disguise over the tailgate and the rear section that makes it look taller and more bulkier.

Many manufacturers are turning to four door Coupes because the customer base is expanding than before.
Some like the idea of a Coupe but have needs to accomodate family or business requirements.
Regular two door Coupe's cannot accomodate this. Interested parties I have talked to regarding the BMW 6er Gran Coupe say that they liked the Coupe but needed the flexibility, something the Gran Coupe expands on.

The 4er and 6er Gran Coupe's expand on this growing segment and alternatively in each segment from the compact segment right through to the high end luxury market we will see more four door Coupe's and not just from BMW. Because of the demand of the global market , customers for a typical Coupe are getting younger and of course they have more priorities. BMW are currently looking at a 2er Gran Coupe allowing the customer to have typical dynamic Coupe looks with extra flexibility for their requirements without having a conventional four door sedan.


The upcoming Rolls-Royce Ghost Coupe is also being considered as a four door as is the next Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse Coupe and it is all due to expansion and changing demographic of the global customer base.

 

[aleks_16]

And that means no 7er GC ?

 

[Hofmeister]

I hope I'm not the only one that thinks a "Ghost Gran Coupe" would be almost as bad as a Rolls' SUV. RR is supposed to epitomise good old-fashioned class and style, and modern niche cars like "4-door coupes" do not go well with that image whatsoever. I would not, however, be opposed to a ^ 7er GC...

 

[SCOTT27]

The 4er Gran Coupe allows BMW to employ that elegance combined with a sporting driving and luxury of the 6er Gran Coupe in a more accessible package.
In Europe for premium manufacturers there is very much an influence on "downsizing" luxury.
Both the 4er Gran Coupe and BMW X4 are examples of this.

No Rolls-Royce SUV. BMW are fast moving on the X7 , BMW's opportunity to have the "Range Rover" it always wanted V12 and all. Although BMW had experimented with a V12 with the E53 X5 , we know about the Le Mans X5 but in Munich there lies an X5 E53 with a BMW V12, although you would never have guessed because it is an ordinary E53 , until you see the crude quad exhaust.

A Ghost four door Coupe actually fits within the ethos of the Rolls-Royce brand as many RR models of the past are elegant four doors with dramatic sloping rooflines. A modern version would epitomise that history and exclusivity.
Should a BMW flagship automobile be considered over the 7er and X7 then it will be a four door.
So far at BMW they are discussing a four project appoach at the aim of improving BMW's position within the high end segment of the luxury market to help sustain the large luxury sedan which sees decline in response to more demand for luxury SUVs.

The X7 is a go , with the CS in discussion. The new CFRP/Aluminium modular chassis is being tested under existing 7er bodies.

The ultra-light BMW M.sports car is being worked on with the possibility the first model dubbed M-One will be more exclusive than first thought with the ethos of BMWi's "conceived from the ground-up" philosophy being applied in every aspect of the car to allow BMW M. to flourish as a sub-brand like BMWi with a internally developed individual product.
The latest AutoBild Sports Car magazine features the M-One on the front cover.

 

[Hofmeister]

Sorry know this is slightly off-topic but what will be the i3/i8s codenames? Or will they even have them? Back on topic, will BMW consider an 8-Series based on the next gen CFRP/Aluminium intensive structure? And would the new X7 be based on the forthcoming F15, or the next-gen 7 Series?

 

[K-A]

The 4er Gran Coupe allows BMW to employ that elegance combined with a sporting driving and luxury of the 6er Gran Coupe in a more accessible package.
In Europe for premium manufacturers there is very much an influence on "downsizing" luxury.
Both the 4er Gran Coupe and BMW X4 are examples of this.

No Rolls-Royce SUV. BMW are fast moving on the X7 , BMW's opportunity to have the "Range Rover" it always wanted V12 and all. Although BMW had experimented with a V12 with the E53 X5 , we know about the Le Mans X5 but in Munich there lies an X5 E53 with a BMW V12, although you would never have guessed because it is an ordinary E53 , until you see the crude quad exhaust.

A Ghost four door Coupe actually fits within the ethos of the Rolls-Royce brand as many RR models of the past are elegant four doors with dramatic sloping rooflines. A modern version would epitomise that history and exclusivity.
Should a BMW flagship automobile be considered over the 7er and X7 then it will be a four door.
So far at BMW they are discussing a four project appoach at the aim of improving BMW's position within the high end segment of the luxury market to help sustain the large luxury sedan which sees decline in response to more demand for luxury SUVs.

The X7 is a go , with the CS in discussion. The new CFRP/Aluminium modular chassis is being tested under existing 7er bodies.

The ultra-light BMW M.sports car is being worked on with the possibility the first model dubbed M-One will be more exclusive than first thought with the ethos of BMWi's "conceived from the ground-up" philosophy being applied in every aspect of the car to allow BMW M. to flourish as a sub-brand like BMWi with a internally developed individual product.
The latest AutoBild Sports Car magazine features the M-One on the front cover.

Scott: Do you know if the concept of "4-Door Coupe" continues to become a mainstay (and not a passing fad) in automotive culture, then is there any way that engineers plan to not sacrifice the mixed drama of the designs, however increase front headroom? Being someone at 6'4 with a torso fitting for someone who's 6'6, I can't even get near fitting in a CLS without my head jammed against the roof, and even the 6 GC with its much better headroom than the CLS, wasn't totally comfortable (or safe for my head) enough (but getting closer). It's really a pain in the a$$ actually. Fortunately for me I guess I still prefer classically themed Sedans, but it'd be nice to be able to actually consider "4 Door Coupes".

 

[klier]

Nah, K-A, you're just too big. Like you will always be too big for a 911 as well.

 

[K-A]

Actually I fit perfectly in a 911 (and SL for that matter, figure that). More headroom in that baby than in my E-Class! Probably only one with no moonroof I can only be really comfortable in, however. It's probably the low seating position and the rounded shape of the roof. Great functionality for such a small car. Feels very roomy in all aspects for me inside (I'm skinny so that's not a problem, but headroom is wonderful).

I'm trying to convince myself that I need a 911 for safety reasons. Not working so far.

 

[klier]

Hmm, well, I wouldn't have thought that. I'm 6.1 and already not small...(though skinny like you )

 

[mini_cooper4]

I'm 7.1 and weight 188kg. and prefer small cars as I really love hugging!
I feel totally comfortable in a Tico

ON: I want to see a concept!

 

[K-A]

Hold up.... 7'1"? Or are you using some weird European measuring metric?

If so, you must have helluva long leg to torso combo to fit into a Gallardo! My head is practically sticking out the sunroof in one.