Autoblog

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe caught again

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, BMW, Luxury

It's been a while since we've seen the upcoming BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe out testing, but we're sort of inclined to ask "Why?" yet again. After all, the 4 Series is what the new 3 Series-based coupes and convertibles will be called, so the idea of another four-door version just sort of seems redundant. In other words, just how different will a 4 Series Gran Coupe be from a 3 Series sedan, aside from perhaps a more rakish roofline or a four-passenger seating configuration? Probably not much, but BMW clearly thinks it can use the additional bodystyle to rake in some extra profits.

Anyway, back to these spy shots. No more of the 4GC's skin has been revealed since the last time we saw it, but we fully expect it to share a lot of its design DNA with the 3 Series sedan, not to mention the attractive 4 Series coupe concept that bowed at this year's Detroit Auto Show.

Powertrain options should carry over direct from the 3 Series line, so we expect to see 428i and 435i models on hand, packing turbocharged four- and six-cylinder engines, respectively. We're sure that BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive will be available, and who knows, we could even get a 428d version with the new 2.0-liter turbodiesel four that debuted in the 328d at the New York Auto Show last week, or even an M4 variant.

The 4 Series coupe is expected to launch later this year, so expect to see the 4CG shortly thereafter.

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe caught again originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Apr 2013 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW 4 Series production coupe caught on commercial shoot

Seyth Miersma — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, BMW, Luxury

Despite filming at 2:00 AM and at an undisclosed location, BMW minders filming a commercial for the fast-approaching 4 Series coupe were unable to ward off the long lenses of spy photographers. The result, as you can see here, is our first-ever look at the production version of BMW's new coupe, completely uncovered.

The night shots may be a little bit grainy, but the fast-moving 4 Series still looks pretty good with its camo closeted, matching the svelte lines of the concept car we saw in Detroit this winter. Expect that the 4 coupe will come to market with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder in 428i trim, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder in 435i spec.

Take your time looking through our gallery of movie-star 4 Series photographs, and tell us what you think about the uncovered Bimmer, in comments.

BMW 4 Series production coupe caught on commercial shoot originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Mar 2013 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW 4 Series cabrio caught with its top down

Noah Joseph — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, BMW, Luxury

BMW did quite a bit to differentiate the new 3 Series from the old one, but arguably the biggest development in that department is the splitting of the model line. Because the new 3 Series is only the sedan and wagon. The coupe and cabrio are branching off as the 4 Series, similar to the 6 Series (as distinct from the 5 Series), the old 8 Series (separate from the 7 Series) and what's expected to emerge of the 2 Series from the new 1 Series.

Following earlier spy shots of the 4 Series convertible with its roof up in the rain and in the snow, this is our first look at the upcoming new model being driven the way it's meant to be driven: with its top down and the sun shining.

Unfortunately our view is a little obscured by all the swirly camouflage, so we'll have to wait until its anticipated debut sometime next year to see the whole package. But you can check out the spy shots now for a sneak preview.

BMW 4 Series cabrio caught with its top down originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 May 2012 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW 4 Series Convertible spotted buttoned up for winter

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, BMW, Luxury

It is expected that the BMW 4 Series - which will be what we used to call the 3 Series coupe and convertible - is expected to be revealed sometime later this year. Nevertheless, it still has much to hide, since it's wearing the same amount of all-sheathing camouflage as when we saw it four months ago.

This is the convertible version, and it is figured to be the new 3 Series with a few tweaks at the front. It is capped by a folding hardtop and presumably uses the same engines offered in the 3. When the camo does come off, we're anxious to see if the lower front intake really does retain the shape of a Wallace-and-Grommit smile.

BMW 4 Series Convertible spotted buttoned up for winter originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New BMW M3 to come in sedan form first

Noah Joseph — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, BMW, Luxury

Typically, when BMW releases a new M3, it launches it in coupe form first. (In fact, sales of the M3 sedan have, in North America at least, slowed to such an extent that BMW NA was tempted to stop bringing it here altogether.) But not the new model - according to the latest intel, the next-gen M3 will arrive in four-door guise first.

Sources indicate a couple of reasons for that: First, the new 3 Series (pictured above in M Sport guise) on which it'll be based has so far has only come out in sedan form. Second, because the next-gen M3 is anticipated to lose some of its edge. Which would be a shame, but there's a far more straightforward reason than either of those two: there will be no coupe or convertible M3 from here on out.

Well, sorta. There will be, only it won't be called the M3. It'll probably be called the M4, since BMW is said to be spinning the two-door version of the 3 Series off into a 4 Series - more closely mirroring the 5 Series sedan and its coupe/convertible counterpart, the 6 Series. Since BMW has yet to unveil the 4 Series, we're likely to be looking at an M3 sedan first.

We expect it'll have a twin-turbo six-cylinder engine in place of the outgoing model's naturally aspirated V8, but the jury's still out on whether those pistons will be arranged in a V or a straight line.

New BMW M3 to come in sedan form first originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: BMW 3 Series GT could actually be new 4 Series

Chris Shunk — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 15:35:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, BMW, Rumormill

BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've heard a few times that BMW is working on a 3 Series Gran Turismo, but a rumor floated at Germany's Auto Motor und Sport claims the GT may instead be an all-new 4 Series. If true, BMW Blog says that a 4 Series could be offered as a four-door coupe that would help BMW compete with offerings like the A5 Sportback. The move would also enable BMW to offer a more stylish vehicle that slots well below the 6 Series in price while still demanding a premium over the 3 Series. And keep in mind that BMW has already green-lit the 6 Series Gran Coupe, which will feature two-door styling and four physical doors when it arrives in 2012.

Given that Audi has feverishly expanded its lineup the past few years, we wouldn't blame BMW for countering with a 4 Series, but this is the first we've heard of it, so we'll keep this one squarely in the rumormill category for now.

[Source: BMW Blog]

Rumormill: BMW 3 Series GT could actually be new 4 Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Mar 2011 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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