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Be ready for the production version in late 2013.
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BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe
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6th December, 2012
The BMW 3 Series Coupe and Convertible remain competitive in the premium
mid-range coupe and convertible market. But with strong competition ever present, BMW is looking to the future.
Now, with the unveiling of the BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe, BMW is looking ahead to the fourth generation of its sporty
mid-range coupe.
The BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe adds a new dimension to the qualities of the BMW 3 Series Coupe in terms of aesthetics,
dynamics and elegance. The “4” doesn’t just mark the start of a new cycle, it represents the zenith of a development
curve. BMW has given the new model its own individual character and a standalone design – and, in so doing, has turned
“4” into segment shorthand for competitive aesthetic and dynamic appeal. The latest addition to a nomenclature that sees
BMW building on the tradition of its large BMW 6 Series and BMW 8 Series Coupes, the “4” stands for greater sportiness,
greater exclusivity and even clearer differentiation from the BMW 3 Series range.
The design
The BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe allows the driver to experience the essence of this new, sporting and elegant
generation of car in the lap of contemporary luxury. An array of high-quality details provide an exclusive showcase for
the car’s balanced coupe proportions. Inside, the expertise of BMW Individual, skilled handcraftsmanship and carefully
selected materials combine to make a neat interior. The role of BMW Individual in the BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe’s
development underlines the brand’s commitment to challenging itself in the pursuit of perfection.
Lower and wider stance
The dimensions of the BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe imbue the car with a dynamic presence even when it is standing still.
The wheelbase (2,810 mm) is 50 millimetres longer than that of the existing 3 Series Coupe, while 45 mm has been added to
the front track (1,545 mm) and 80 mm to the rear track (1,593 mm). At 1,826 mm wide, the BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe is 44
mm broader than its predecessor, its roof line is 16 mm lower (1,362 mm) and it is longer too (4,641 mm) – all of which
makes for exceptionally dynamic proportions.
Perfection in proportions
A BMW Coupe is surrounded by fascination, and one glance tells the observer all he/she needs to know about the driving
experience on offer. The elegant lines and 'athletic' surface interplay of the BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe embody the
qualities and expertise of BMW design and shine out through its sporting silhouette. The car’s proportions also fit the
familiar BMW template: its long wheelbase, long sweeping bonnet, set-back passenger compartment and short overhangs
propel the BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe forwards even before its engine stirs. At the same time, its stretched proportions
exude a very athletic elegance – the rear wheel arches mark the widest point of the car, emphasising the point – and taut
lines and surfaces etch emotion and precision into the body. The Coupe’s sophisticated detailing also captures the
imagination on closer inspection. Functional elements such as air intakes and vents, door openers and exterior mirrors
are given a stylistic lift by classy satin-finish aluminium accents. The exceptional dedication of the designers in
achieving the right look for each particular function is evident in every one of these details.
Precision and sportiness in the front seats
Precise contours and multifaceted surfaces define the striking face of the BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe. The hallmark
BMW front-end features, notably the kidney grille and twin circular headlights, have a slim, sporty design and ensure the
BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe is instantly recognised as a BMW. The front-end design displays a clear link with the BMW 3
Series range, but its sporting take on the theme accentuates the dynamic leanings of the BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe.
The new concept car lavishes both front-end design icons with meticulous detail and three-dimensional depth. The
kidney grille is closed off in the interests of optimising aerodynamics and keeping fuel consumption low, and the areas
between the elaborately designed, satin-finish grille slats are blanked off by dark surfaces.
The full-LED headlights are a hexagonal, extremely technical-looking take on the customary BMW twin circular design.
The dynamically chiselled, slimmer interpretation of this iconic design cue integrates seamlessly into the front end. The
design of the headlights adopts the link between the lights and kidney grille familiar from the BMW 3 Series and takes it
to the next level, rendering this connection visible in darkness as well. An optical fibre leads out from the inner
headlight tube and forms a visual link between the inner headlight and the kidney grille. In so doing, it gives the front
end of the Coupe an even broader look.
The most eye-catching feature of the car’s nose beyond the familiar BMW kidney grille and twin circular headlights is
the large air intake in the front apron. Its wide opening hints at the extra air required by the powerful engines and
guides the eye around to the flared wheel arches. The two vent surrounds on either side of the intake replicate the
contours of the hexagonal headlight graphics to lend the front end an even wider and more sporting look. Three strikingly
sculptured, satin-finish aluminium trim elements in the intake provide added presence. Eye-catching and extremely
width-accentuating, they give the aperture a sporty three-way split. The sides of the two flanking vents are of differing
thickness and lend the front end a particularly dynamic appearance. At the same time, they mark off specific areas of the
intake for brake and oil cooling and for the Air Curtain. This EfficientDynamics feature channels the incoming air around
the outside of the wheels, ensuring the airflow “hugs” the wheel arches and fuel consumption is reduced as a
consequence.
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A side order of power and elegance
Flowing, typically BMW proportions and a stretched silhouette define the side view of the BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe,
with elongated lines and expressively contoured surfaces providing an interplay of light and shadow. The gently
downward-sloping roofline – a classic coupe feature – makes a smooth transition into the rear, stretches the overall
appearance of the car and takes the elegant route to accentuating the sporting appeal of the car’s flanks. The side
windows also adhere to the slim and stretched theme. The striking exterior mirrors extend organically out of the
shoulderline and provide another example of the eye for detail which allows aerodynamic function to be integrated neatly
and with emotional appeal into the car’s form. The BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe boasts elegantly moulded shoulders, and
surfaces and volumes blend harmoniously as the roof slopes down into the rear. The result is a sporty C-pillar design,
which merges flawlessly into the sleek silhouette.
Below the side windows, the “double swage line” familiar from the BMW 3 Series range lends the car a dynamic sense of
forward motion. The shadowed surface above the rear wheel shrinks significantly below the swage line. This accentuates
the contours around the rear wheels, emphasising the car’s dynamic flair and hallmark BMW rear-wheel drive.
The Air Breather, an aerodynamically effective aperture behind the front wheels, offers another pointer to the
aerodynamics of the BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe. It draws a path between the two light surfaces of the car’s flanks,
replicating the prominent form of the front-end elements. The Air Breather brings together the priorities of BMW
EfficientDynamics and time-honoured BMW design, and works in tandem with the Air Curtain in the front apron to ensure an
effective reduction in drag around the wheels. Exclusive 20-inch light-alloy wheels add the finishing touches to the
car’s dynamically elegant silhouette.
Broad, sporty stance at the rear
The sporting character of the BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe continues in the low-slung design of the rear. The prominent
horizontal lines and stretched tail lights positioned at the outer edges of the rear draw extra attention to the wheel
arches and wide track. The design of the rear window has a lowering effect on the car’s tail and gives the body as a
whole an even more powerful look. It also shows off the car’s broad shoulders with satisfying clarity. The horizontal
lines of the rear end frame a subtle three-dimensionality, while a tightly structured concave indent in the rear provides
shadowed surfaces and gives the car a forward-surging energy. This contrasting interplay of light and shadow brings extra
vivacity to the rear end.
The L-shaped rear lights of the BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe blend harmoniously into the car’s overall design. They
continue the path of the swage line to the side and are absorbed as an integral part of the exterior design. The tail
lights taper in towards the centre of the rear end, but flare out powerfully towards the outer edges, underlining the
Coupe’s broad, squat stance on the road. The inner elements of the rear lights recall a sculpture of contorted surfaces.
A full-sized light element here reproduces the signature BMW “double L” in three-dimensional form and with impressive
depth. While the emitting surfaces shine brightly, those at the back are rather darker, rendering the strong sense of
three-dimensionality visible when the lights are hot as well.
The most striking element of the rear end is the bumper, in which a clearly defined trim element in satin-finish
aluminium provides a classy lower edge as the car drops down towards the road. The trim element adopts a similar
three-way split to the front air intake, but in a width-emphasising form. It picks up the two exhaust tailpipes in a
dynamic sweep at the outer edges of the rear apron before diverting the gaze to the wheels. Small upturns next to the
tailpipes lend additional dynamic flair and finesse.
Interior bathed in subtle beauty
The interior of the BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe follows the traditional BMW recipe, blending sportiness and exclusivity
stylishly into a single package. The interior wraps around the driver in typically BMW, driver-focused style. The most
important controls for driving the car are grouped ergonomically around the driver to ensure all functions are within the
easiest possible reach. The “layering” approach – whereby volumes are arranged into layers through the clever use of
lines and surfaces – underlines the dynamic feeling inside the BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe. This dynamic use of lines
continues into the door design. All the lines streak backwards towards the rear of the car, thus pulling the focus of the
interior clearly towards the front. At the same time, clearly defined surfaces around the window sills and door trim
panels converge via the B-pillar into the rear in a tightly structured horizontal movement and connect the front and rear
compartments. The arrangement of volumes around the doors, side walls and window sills forms a kind of cocoon around the
passengers and generates a sporty and secure sense of space. Added to which, the strong contouring of the rear seats
makes them appear like two individual seats joined together, emphasising once again the sporting instincts of the BMW
Concept 4 Series Coupe.
Craftsmanship, sustainability and technical refinement
Developed by BMW Individual, the colour and materials design of the BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe is tailored precisely
to the geometry of the interior. The two-tone Black and Schiaparelli Brown trim provides a particularly effective
showcase for the interplay of forms in the front cabin, and light contrast stitching adds a fresh touch to the
leather-covered surfaces. This exclusive trim consists of sustainably tanned leather, which makes a convincing case for
itself with its natural feel and soft texture, as well as the environment-friendly tanning process used to produce it.
The fine detailing of the BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe exterior is continued inside the car, numerous elements of which
reflect the attention to detail with which the BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe has been put together. As well as discreetly
embossed “BMW Individual” lettering on the seats and door sill strips, the seats are also home to hand-braided leather
trim elements, which run vertically down the seats and enhance the interior’s feeling of class. The likewise
leather-covered cup holders also adopt the braiding theme, as do the floor mats.
A Natural Chestnut fine wood trim strip adds the finishing touch to the exclusive interior. The combination of
carefully selected, high-grade materials, sophisticated details and the extensive use of handcraftsmanship fills the BMW
Concept 4 Series Coupe with an ambience defined by contemporary luxury. The Liquid Metal Silver exterior colour developed
exclusively for the concept car shows off its expressive exterior design to effect and injects an extra dose of energy
into the interplay of contours and surfaces.
E&OE.
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