Search Car Reviews



See all makes



BMW 4 Series spied

New spy pictures emerge of the BMW 4 Series coupe - a new model that's based on the next 3 Series, but with bespoke styling and sportier dynamics

BMW 4 Series spied front three-qaurters

Text: Paul Bond / Photos: Automedia/Lehmann

26th October 2011

Here's the hard evidence that BMW is planning a radical shake-up of its 3 Series range. These spy shots, captured by our photographers in Germany, reveal the new 4 Series Coupe, the first of three standalone models that will get their own unique styling and dynamic setup.

Essentially BMW's answer to the hugely popular Audi A5, the two-door coupe will be the first model to wear the 4 Series badge when it arrives late in 2013, with a cabriolet and more practical four-door 'GranCoupe' set to follow at a later date.

The car in these shots is heavily camouflaged, but it's still easy to make out the wider grille and lower front end, while at the rear the coupe gets a sleeker, more tapered look that befits its sportier image.

Under the stylised bodywork, the 4 Series will share most of its engines with the new 3 Series saloon, with highlights including the new 242bhp TwinPower turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol from the 328i and the efficient 2.0-litre diesel from the 320d. Revised versions of the company's smooth and punchy straight-six diesels are also likely to follow.

All versions of the 4 Series will get EfficientDynamics technology like stop-start and brake energy recuperation as standard, and will be available with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.

The decision to divide the 3 Series range also has ramifications for the new M3, with BMW aiming to attract a wider group of buyers by offering a greater choice.

The saloon version will arrive in 2013, but both the coupe and cabriolet versions – badged for the first time as M4 – will follow six months later, and given an even more driver-oriented set-up than the standard car.

The 4 Series is also likely to get more equipment and personalisation than the core 3 Series range, meaning it will command a price premium over its sibling models.

Another new addition to the 3 Series line-up is the 3 Series GT crossover, which will be launched in 2014. This car will be a larger, more comfortable and spacious version, built to appeal to buyers of the 5 Series GT. It will have an extended wheelbase, freeing up more room for backseat passengers, and a taller, bigger boot than the standard car.

What Next

For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!

< Previous   Next >

Sponsored Results

8 Comments

BMW 4 Series spied

This really is becoming a "JOKE" BMW, I am a fan BUT, too many new models in a "Flat" market.
The design flare has all but gone too, look at the new 3 series, it's a 5 series in miniature. Come on BMW get real.

By john550i on 27 October, 2011, 8:45am

Humpback bonnet?

From the side, it looks like this coupé is suffering from the same oversized-bonnet affliction that affects many of BMW's designs now, presumably as a result of tougher pedestrian impact restrictions.
But, as john550i says above, it's another pointless sub-model.

By snappyuk on 27 October, 2011, 9:34am

hmmmm

Clearly no lessons learned from the 5 series GT disaster?

By fastpep1 on 30 October, 2011, 1:52pm

Are you sure it's not the new BMW pickup with a trick back to fool the paparazzi?

By fleabane on 31 October, 2011, 2:05pm

So its just a 3 series coupe then is that what they are saying?!

By AndyG on 1 November, 2011, 12:44pm

WRONG WRONG WRONG

This has got to be the absolute all-time worst case of BMW doing what it now knows very well. Chasing its own tail in an ever diminishing spiral down a very dead-end 'niche' street!! UMM, so what should we make of the 3 series coupe? Is that being scrapped?? Should be!! It was the grossest example of BMW gouging people into paying for 2 [rear] seats its impossible to use. BMW now exemplify the most unsavoury aspect of humanity.....the F.A.G. Syndrome, as in Fear And Greed. If BMW spent 5% of their time 'growing the cake' instead of miserably trying to steal someone else's they would be a lot further ahead. So they now have a 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. To steal the words of your hysterically funny Stephen Fry in a Honda ad..."what's next???". Indeed. Cant wait.....NOT.

By barina47 on 2 November, 2011, 3:04am

Further dilution of the brand

I think that we are witnessing the slow demise of BMW as a premium brand. Jaguar almost made that mistake with the X Type - a fantastic car (I bought one) but, as a mass-market product it really diluted the premium brand image of Jaguar. BMW want everything - a premium brand image but everyone driving one, hence trying to produce a car for every buyer. Personally, I can't see any reason to pay a premium price for a BMW when you can't throw a stick without hitting at least one, be it an X1, 1 Series, 7 Series, X5 series GT cross-over thingy.. Ridiculous!!

By Tony27nine on 8 November, 2011, 7:55am

too greedy

BMW will shoot itself in the foot... trying to stick it's nose into too many pies, it's going to be real tough keeping them all up to BMW standards even with the huge profits BMW are making one blip in profit and BMW will tumble

By liverpool on 19 February, 2012, 4:44pm

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.



Sponsored Results

- Advertisement -

Pictures

BMW 4 Series spied front three-qaurters
BMW 4 Series spied front cornering
BMW 4 Series spied profile
BMW 4 Series spied rear three-quarters
BMW 4 Series spied front
BMW 4 Series spied rear three-quarters

Sponsored Results

- Advertisement -