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

[SCOTT27]

I agree. Just don't understand Scott's reasoning that there is no need for a 5dr GC when there's a 5dr GT, yet there's going to be a 4dr GC when there's a 4dr sedan.

The need for a more practical coupe is becoming a new growth segment.
Many more manufacturers are turning typical Coupe's into more practical four doors because the customer demographic is changing. Because of the opening of new markets the typical Coupe customer is becoming younger and with that demographic becomes the need for practicallity and flexibility but they still want that performance and sleekness style of a Coupe.
BMW are not the only manufacturer who have realised this as many upcoming Coupe's are coming via the ease of platform architecture being shared across many model lines providing a cost effective route for developing models that will be highly profitable. The BMW CS Concept car was developed from this idea that a conventional Coupe would not be appealing to the customer. The BMW X6 was originally a 3dr in its earliest incarnations until customer clinics decided the need for added practicality. The same goes for the X4 and Porsche Macan , practicality was essentially more necessary for more appeal.
It is the ever-changingdemographic of customer that determines progress in todays automobile industry.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

There is no 4Dr sedan, in the land of 4 Series there exists a coupe and convertible, the GC is supposed to be a more practical, but no less attractive alternative to these cars. Then in the 3er range you have the saloon, estate and mix-of -both GT.
Simple

Just because BMW decide to slap a 4 Series badge on the back, the 4er GC will be a slightly sleeker 3 Series.

 

[Hofmeister]

Just because BMW decide to slap a 4 Series badge on the back, the 4er GC will be a slightly sleeker 3 Series.

And just because Audi, BMW and Mercedes slap A7, 6 GC, and CLS badges on the backs of these models does not make them anything other than slightly sleeker A6's, 5ers and E's. Does this stop them from seling?? No. Does this stop people from liking them?? No. Your argument could be applied to any 4/5 door coupe, why you have to direct your vitriol at BMW?? Is it because Scott ( correctly ) disagreed with you??

 

[Levi68]

Just because BMW decide to slap a 4 Series badge on the back, the 4er GC will be a slightly sleeker 3 Series.

Just as the 4 Series Coupé will be a 3 Series Sedan with two doors. That is it. All car makers to that today.

 

[EnI]

Yes, even to me 5dr 4er GT sounds extremely strange (and all sources indeed talk about 4dr GC) but I hardly believe BMW have invested in the interior camo that much - just to deceive the public. What for? Why would they put so much camo in the interior to make the car look like a 5dr fastback/hatchback? Wouldn't be easier to put some extra plastic panels to the tail to make it like hatchback? Like eg. X6 initial prototypes & their deceiving shape:

The C-pillar & the 3rd side window look too real. And even if they were fake, there is still that seat belt housing located in the exact position where the door opening should be in the case of no 3rd window. Also fake? Hardly. The rear door lock switch is also there near the "fake" C-pillar, and the rear door inner cut line can also be seen there. Too much "fake" detailing that indicate a 5dr hatchback IMHO.

Regarding classic Hoffmeister kink & 3rd window ... nothing new. Hint: tourings, even current X5, and X6 to some extent.

Yes, it's possible all those details that indicate the car is actually a hatchback are fake. But if they are, that's insane camo investment by BMW.

Hatchbacks ... 5dr cars ... tons of them are coming from BMW: sub-1er Urbanic (A1 fighter), X2, 2er Active Tourer, X4, 3er GT ... perhaps even 5dr 4er GT which perhaps follows different formula than 6er (4dr GranCoupe & 5dr Gran Touring ... all joining the existing hatchbacks in BMW model line: 1er, 5er GT, X6.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

And just because Audi, BMW and Mercedes slap A7, 6 GC, and CLS badges on the backs of these models does not make them anything other than slightly sleeker A6's, 5ers and E's. Does this stop them from seling?? No. Does this stop people from liking them?? No. Your argument could be applied to any 4/5 door coupe,

I don't disagree with a single thing you're saying!

why you have to direct your vitriol at BMW??

What vitriol?! I like the idea of a 4er GC! I wasn't criticising it at all!

Good grief, calm down for God's sake. Just because I said that the 4er GC is going to be a slightly sleeker 3er, why do you assume I'm criticising it?!

I only responded to Scott saying that the reason the 4er GC will not be a 5dr hatch is because the 3er GT will exist, yet the standard 3er 4dr will also exist alongside the 4er GC.

It wasn't a criticism. It wasn't even a comment on the car at all. Just that Scott's reasoning didn't make sense.

I strongly suggest you read someone's post CAREFULLY before you start flying off the handle. Jesus Christ!

 

[EnI]

Betty is right.

5dr 4er GT co-existing with 5dr 3er GT is totally analog to 4dr 4er GC co-existing with 4dr 3er Sedan. So, if 4er GC makes sense, then 4er GT makes sense as well.

Even more: IMO 4er GT differs more from 3er GT despite both being 5dr hatchbacks ... than 4dr 4er GC differs from 4dr 3er Sedan. Especially character wise.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Betty is right.

I'm glad SOMEBODY is actually reading my posts rather than thinking my post was some kind of anti-BMW thing.

 

[EnI]

The need for a more practical coupe is becoming a new growth segment.

Yep. And 5dr coupe is even more practical than 4dr one.

That's why Panamera is 5dr Coupe, and so are the A5 SB & A7 SB.
6er GC & CLS are not .. that's why more practical 5dr shooting brake variants are already here (CLS SB), or around the corner (6er SB).

Perhaps 4er "practical coupe" won't come in two versions like 6er, but in one only: as 5dr coupe-hatch. Like the very successful VAG 5dr coupe-hatch armada - which will soon be joined by another few (eg. Pajun, Mk2 Pheaton, Galibier etc). A5 SB not being sold in US has nothing to do with hatchback layout: A7 is sold there & is selling very well. So does the 5dr coupe-hatchback Porsche Panamera.

Sleek & low coupe-hatches sell well in US, bulky ones (like X6 & 5er GT) obviously don't. I guess BMW have learned the lesson by now.

 

[Sayyaaf]

I like how simple life was:
4 door = sedan
2 door = coupe

Thank you Germans

 

[klier]

^ You also didn't have a mobile PC in your pocket, nor would we be talking on the internet
Things change

 

[K-A]

^ You also didn't have a mobile PC in your pocket, nor would we be talking on the internet

Who says that's a good thing.

 

[Levi68]

I don't know in what way a 5dr hatch like GT/SB is more practical than a traditional trunk (Sedan/Coupé). In a Touring/Avant you can put a fridge, washing machine and so, but not in a A5 SB/4 Series GT.

 

[Foxfire]

You can put a dog in the trunk of a larger hatch, even if it is rakish like the A5 SB. Can't do that in a traditional trunk, unless you're a cruel person

 

[SCOTT27]

The 4er Gran Coupe has now lost some disguise at the rear revealing its 4er appearance we will see the car in a little under twelve months with the high performance M4 Gran Coupe debuting at the end of 2014.

 

[klier]

Looks sick!!

 

[chonkoa]

I will love to see the price point on this baby- I reckon it will cost more than a 5er.
It has the potential of being fantastic based on that shot