What's the news?
It has long been rumoured, but finally we get official confirmation that the 3 Series Coupé, first launched in 1991, will be replaced by an all-new model called the 4 Series Coupé. What you see here is the concept version, though we're told that it's 95 per cent production ready.
Exterior
This story is all about the exterior design really and emphasising that BMW brought us along to a Design Night in Munich where it had a handful of its stylists on hand to demonstrate the various steps in the process, from sketching ideas to 'tape drawing' in full-size and then clay modelling and computer-aided styling. We even got to have a go ourselves.
Finally the star was unveiled and it must be said that the 4 Series Coupé looks even more dramatic in the metal than these photographs convey. The sculpting of the bodywork and the jewel-like lights stand out, but it's the overall proportions and stance that really grab your attention. Admittedly, the concept is riding on 20-inch alloy wheels and ultra-low profile tyres (with little space between them and the body work), but even so, the exterior dimensions indicate that the finished article should retain the overall look. In comparison to the current 3 Series Coupé, the 4 Series has a 50mm longer wheelbase, a 45mm wider front track, 80mm extra between the rear wheels and yet is 16mm lower.
One of the defining exterior features is the aggressively designed air intake in the front bumper, which is slender in the middle of the car and more open towards the extremities. This shape is echoed in the rear bumper and we suspect will make it to the showroom too.
In summary, the 4 Series Coupé is clearly from the same stock as the new 3 Series saloon, but it's significantly more desirable and far sportier. We can understand why BMW reckoned it was time to change the name.
Interior
Unsurprisingly, the switchgear of the concept car is all familiar, though this show model has been lavished with interesting new materials and finishes tagged as 'BMW Individual'. One of the flourishes is a hand-braided leather trim element that features in the sumptuous brown leather seats, the door cards, the floor mats and even in the cup holders - somewhat bizarrely. Natural chestnut wood complements this, while the headlining is a tactile suede-like material, also in brown.
Extravagant finish aside, we reckon the interior of the 4 Series Coupé looks ready to go.
Mechanicals
BMW only wants to talk about the design of the 4 Series for now, but it's safe to say that most of the 3 Series engines are likely to be offered in the new coupé. We'd expect a 420i, 428i and 435i on the petrol side and 420d, 425d, 430d and maybe even 435d in the diesel line-up. That a hot M4 Coupé is in the works should be beyond doubt too. Our money would be on a 450hp turbocharged straight-six. Oh, and expect xDrive four-wheel drive to become available.
Anything else?
BMW will bring along this 4 Series Concept Coupé to the Detroit Auto Show next month for its first public airing and we'd hope to see the production model at the Geneva Show in March before it goes on sale in the summer. No doubt it'll spawn a 4 Series Convertible in time as well.