STUD OR DUD? BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe Image Leaks Out

So many possibilities for this design, and THIS is where they ended? One can only hope that it looks much better in person.

It is rather disappointing but these days Bimmer is playing it safe which begs the question, at what point does safe become boring/predictable?

BMW has invested over $2.5 billion dollars on EV and carbon fiber technology. So much for playing it safe. If the i3 and i8 are sold to the "upper middle class" and "green" market, BMW has entered a new market and demographic.

And the i3 and i8 are crass, vulgar, hideous, and disgusting to look at.

Plus what's with all the lineup looking sooo the same?!

Wait until mid-2014. The 2015 Audi A4 and Audi Q7 will look extremely different from their current versions. Think a lot more aggressive, differentiated and bold in terms of exterior design.

The A5 Sportback isn't sold in the U.S., JRobUSC. Audi is well aware that U.S. buyers do not like sportbacks and hatchbacks nearly as much as Europeans.

It will be a mistake for BMW to offer the 4-series Gran Coupe in the U.S. As it is the U.S. buyer has so many models to choose from that it will end up hurting sales of certain models that are not differentiated enough.

What a dud. BMW's combination of model proliferation and indistinguishable styling will cause serious problems for it in terms of profitability.

What is the point of a 4-door "Gran Coupe" in the first place? I doubt there are that many buyers out there who think gee, the 3-series is too common and the 5-series is too big, so let me just get a 4-series Gran Coupe instead while paying $10K more than a 3-series and likely as much as a 5-series for no additional benefit.

The styling looks like crap, too.

This is similar to your almighty Audi line-up. So it is okay for Audi to model styling that is basically indistinguishable, yet not okay for BMW. Although the 4-series and the 3-series sedan aren't that much alike except for the front headlights.

I think it is kind of cool as a smaller 6-series Gran Coupe, which most experts say is the best looking in its class.

This is similar to the Audi lineup for now but crucially not for much longer. Audi is moving away from the same sausage different length philosophy and the first evidence of this will be the 2015 Audi A4 and Q7 models set to debut this summer.

"What is the point of a 4-door "Gran Coupe" in the first place?"

Probably the same point as the A5 Sportback, which complements the A4 sedan, A6 sedans, and A5 coupe/convertible. Or is it just the name you have a problem with? If they'd have called it the 4-Series Sportback instead of Gran Coupe, it'd be ok then?

Riiight. Because that different sausage philosophy is coming to fruition so quickly and evidently. yeah, not so much. The A3 looks like every other Oscar Meyer in the lineup and in VW's lineup. The pending redesigns of the TT and Q7 reveal pretty similar front-end themes of more angular grilles and headlamps (and, yes, a non-trained eye can make it out under the camouflage).

Why do people keep on feeding this 'German'-Nut troll? I guess the username AudiNut was taken!

I can't argue with your opinion on styling but I will say that you are wrong with regards to profitability. Assuming the car shares a chassis, platform or assembly plant with the 3er and 4er, then they are essentially building this car at a similar cost as the others and yet fetching a premium for it.

Dud! It has no real distinction and looks just like a lot the other lower to mid range Bimmers and literally impossible to tell them apart now :( Audi also guilty of this too and makes you wonder why the heck are they doing this. It so confusing to the customers and may even discourage them from buy a car from either of them.

I'm intrigued that it's a hatchback.

Wait until mid-2014. The 2015 Audi A4 and Audi Q7 will look extremely different from their current versions. Think a lot more aggressive, differentiated and bold in terms of exterior design.

The A5 Sportback isn't sold in the U.S., JRobUSC. Audi is well aware that U.S. buyers do not like sportbacks and hatchbacks nearly as much as Europeans.

It will be a mistake for BMW to offer the 4-series Gran Coupe in the U.S. As it is the U.S. buyer has so many models to choose from that it will end up hurting sales of certain models that are not differentiated enough.

Audi

"extremely different" = we changed the grill and headlights.

You know the A7 is so lusty, the A5 could be marketed as its tasty younger sibling. That said the packaging of these "sportbacks" is so useful. Regular sedans need folding rear seats help make them more useful but these "liftback' designs, especially from premium makers "could" change the public's thinking that their "hatchbacks". I'd buy an A5 Sportback it great looking, oh and because I'd never spend the cash on the A7.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYBGX_AYJqE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsqJCHSUM7Y#t=66

Looks like what the 3 series should have looked like. BMW is looking like the old GM with too many, non-differentiated models.

HUGE dud. This needed to be a flashy coupesedan, but all it looks like is the mid-cycle reskinning of the 3 series.

BMW just keeps making the same car over and over and putting a different number on it. Much like the definition of insanity...keep doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

All in all, the current generation of BMWs has been a big disappointment for me. I barely notice the 4er coupe and 5er on the streets and cringe when i see the 3er. I also thought the new x5 with its x3 look was a step backwards. On the other hand 6-series is lovely but i find myself losing interest in the 6-series grand coupe.