BMW 4 Series Coupe Concept Officially Unveiled

[Sabre]

Torque

BMW has officially unveiled the BMW 4 Series Coupe Concept, which will debut next month in Detroit. The new 4 Series Coupe Concept is a preview of the 4 Series Coupe, which will replace the 3 Series Coupe in BMW's lineup. The switch to the 4 Series name, aligns the coupe with BMW's 6 and 8 Series coupes. BMW says that "4" stands for greater sportiness, greater exclusivity and even clearer differentiation from the BMW 3 Series range.

Compared to the outgoing 3 Series Coupe, the 4 Series Coupe is longer, wider and lower. The wheelbase is 50 millimetres longer than that of the existing 3 Series Coupe, while 45 mm has been added to the front track and 80 mm to the rear track. The BMW 4 Series Coupe Concept is 44 mm broader than its predecessor, its roof line is 16 mm lower.

BMW hasn't confirmed what will power the new 4 Series Coupe, but it's expected to get the same 2.0L and 3.0L engines as the sedan, which means it will be dubbed the 428 and 435i. Expect the 4 Series Coupe to go on sale shortly after its debut at the Detroit Auto Show, next month.

lol, I think I need to start a chart... A4 = 3 Series = C class, A5 = 4 Series = etc. etc.

[Raven]

Nearly every other coupe in the BMW line-up was it's own number.

6 series = 5 series coupe
8 series = 7 series coupe

The 3 series coupe was the anomaly...or it was until the 1-series coupe. >_>

[Mr Kleen]

It's all marketing speak, they're the same platform.

I do like the new coupe (and the sedan) but I wish the 2er was coming out sooner. It will be the size the 3er USED to be before it grew to 5er proportions. In a few years they'll have to invent new numbers because the 1er will be the size of the 7er.

[drwrx]

In a few years they'll have to invent new numbers because the 1er will be the size of the 7er.

Introducing the new BMW .3, .4, .5, .6, .7 & .8?

[Mr Kleen]

I don't know, but I'd like to see this trend stop. Cars are big enough now: we've got crumple zones and side impact beams and all sorts of electronic toys. No reason to keep growing every time a refreshed model is introduced.

[Sabre]

I don't know, but I'd like to see this trend stop. Cars are big enough now: we've got crumple zones and side impact beams and all sorts of electronic toys. No reason to keep growing every time a refreshed model is introduced.

TOTALLY agree. Our subies are no different. That's why I'm building up the L and not a 2013 STI. I think it was a guy from Lotus who said "more power makes you faster in the straights, less weight makes you faster everywhere". I wish sports cars would return to this. Looking at the BRZ, it is a tiny little thing next to most things on the road.

[drwrx]

That's why I'm building up the L and not a 2013 STI.

I get what you are saying, but weight gain has not really been a serious issue for the STi.

gross vehicle weight 2004 STi: 3,263lbs

gross vehicle weight 2013 STi: 3,373lbs

100 lbs over 10 years is pretty minor. There are lots of humans who do worse.

The WRX is even less so:

gross vehicle weight 2002 WRX wagon (5 door): 3,165lbs

gross vehicle weight 2004 WRX 5 door: 3,208lbs

Only 50 lbs. over 12 years. We should all be so lucky.

[Sabre]

^^ Good point, but if I can get the L down to 2500lbs, that's a substantial lead over even a stripped (usually 2800lbs) STI.

[Mr Kleen]

You aren't getting the same crash protection in the L as the STi, that's where the weight is coming from.

Safety weight is OK, but this "make it larger every generation" thing is what upsets me.

[drwrx]

Safety weight is OK, but this "make it larger every generation" thing is what upsets me.

This I am in complete agreement with!
Does everything need to be wider, taller and longer to be better?
You only need to look at the last 4 generations of Honda Accord to see the massive bloat that has occurred there.

[Sabre]

You aren't getting the same crash protection in the L as the STi, that's where the weight is coming from.

Safety weight is OK, but this "make it larger every generation" thing is what upsets me.

Even with a full cage (DEFINITELY a requirement) it will be that light.

[chicken n waffles]

It's all marketing speak, they're the same platform.

I do like the new coupe (and the sedan) but I wish the 2er was coming out sooner. It will be the size the 3er USED to be before it grew to 5er proportions. In a few years they'll have to invent new numbers because the 1er will be the size of the 7er.

Just like every other make, especially Honda.