RENDERED SPECULATION: A Little Bit Of Color Goes A LONG Way With The Upcoming 4-Series Gran Coupe

Last night we ran a story regarding some patent images of the all-new 4-Series Gran Coupe. As typically seen in these kind of image leaks, the three-dimensional drawing is very gray, very plain, and while it gives you an idea of how a vehicle will look, it's hardly the end all, be all.

So, some folks in Belgium with some nice Photoshop skills came around and decided to spruce it up a bit and make it look more realistic. They did a helluva job.

Autofans created a much more life-like 4-Series Gran Coupe by adding a yellow paint that appears similar to the all-new M4 coupe, by applying the 4-Series Air Curtain vent and adding on a set of wheels/tires for fun.

The folks over there only spiffed up one image — the side profile — but it does provide a bit more color — pun intended — on how the Gran Coupe's roofline will pan out.

Is it still a bit too close to the 3-Series Gran Turismo?



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scenicbyway12 - 12/27/2013 6:49:46 PM

+4 Boost

Yeah, still not digging it. To much body and not enough green house.

Dexter1 - 12/27/2013 7:22:57 PM

+4 Boost

Looks kind of humpy -- like the 3 Series GT.

Nostradamus - 12/28/2013 1:41:44 AM

+3 Boost

Such a pointless addition to the lineup.

It's bad enough that BMW feels the need to make those silly GT versions, now this thing.

The 6GC only works because it looks like a slightly sleeker 7-Series, while this lacks any semblance of 'sleekness' and should simply have been the 3-Series.

Agent00R - 12/28/2013 1:59:47 PM

+2 Boost

I can't defend the 4GC yet but I will defend the 6GC.

The 6GC is brilliant because it is a sedan that performs exactly like the coupe variant. Real performance without the sacrifice of practicality, with exception of the rear seat's headroom.

JRobUSC - 12/28/2013 9:30:47 AM

+1 Boost

Well, it's very nice looking, but I don't know that it looks different enough from the 3-Series sedan to really make sense. The reason the 6GC works at a (substantial) price premium from the 5-Series is the 6GC doesn't look remotely like the 5er inside or out. It's dramatically different outside and much, much nicer inside. The exterior here though is pretty similar to the 3-Series sedan, and presumably the interior is as well (the interior of the 4-Series coupes are only marginally different than the 3-Series sedans). We'll see I guess.

gkearns56 - 12/28/2013 9:44:00 AM

+1 Boost

This is what I don't understand about the current BMW company. Why is it necessary to have so many models that are so close to each other. As a buyer, I want to know what am I getting between each model. Let's see we now have (or will) models: X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6. We also have the 3 series and now the 4 series coup. We have the 3 series Gran Coup which is really a 4 door hatchback. Mix in the 6 series and 6 Gran Coup, along with those hatchback looking SUVs, along with M-series and the 5 series variations equals: you have a MESS with the naming of your car models. (BTW: Audi is also getting just as convoluted with these silly fragments of models). Please quit with all the unnecessary model names.

2ndbimmer - 12/28/2013 10:10:25 AM

0 Boost

You know why it is necessary? How many times have you said, "I wish this vehicle just had this slight difference." I do it all the time. So, maybe some one will say, "The X1 is just too small, the 5 series is just too pricey, but the 3 series GT is just right!"
Or, "I wish I had a sporty looking 4 door, that also doesn't look like every other 4 door. Oh look! A 4 series gran coupe. perfect!"

gkearns56 - 12/28/2013 11:36:06 AM

+1 Boost

They can't be that different size wise or it would be a waste to build. Simplify: Build an X1, X3, X5 and give 2 or 3 variants within each model. We don't need X2s, X4s, X6s; hatchback; what a WASTE to try and please EVERYONE. Let's pander to everyone because some folks don't like the PRICE of an X3; so we'll sell them an X1 with leatherette in it and make them feel like their part of the BMW family. "Come On Man!!!"

cidflekken - 12/28/2013 3:41:23 PM

+1 Boost

I think this car gets uglier with each speculated rendering. The roof line is just too bulbous for a coupe profile. Sure, I'm sure its' for the sake of headroom. Then get the 3Series. If this design does come to fruition, either the sale of the 3Series will completely tank as this offers basically the same utility with the coupe performance or this 4GC will tank because people won't pay a premium for it over a 3Series.

GermanNut - 12/28/2013 4:58:49 PM

+1 Boost

Either the 4-Series Gran Coupe or the 3-series sedan will lose sales when the 4-Series Gran Coupe is launched. You have a 3-series, which is a sedan, and then you have a 4-series, which is a coupe. Now you have a car that looks like an uglier 3-series sedan but costs thousands more. What the heck is the point of paying thousands of dollars more for a car that looks like an uglier version of the 3-series sedan with little to no difference in exterior design or interior quality?

This will be a problem for BMW without a doubt. 99.9% of buyers will get the 3 series or 4-series. The Gran Coupe fills a non-existent niche.

irishmike - 12/29/2013 12:14:57 PM

+1 Boost

Model proliferation costs big money. Even if you choose one of the higher volume models, you are subsidizing the niche variations. BMW should wake up and start addressing some of the criticisms directed at their more recent offerings.