Now that we have had a chance to take in the BMW 4-Series, by seeing the reviews and clicking through all of the photos, and even know what the new M3 coupe, the M4 is going to look like, albeit in ‘concept form’, a question arises.
The question, rather informally put, is did they get away with changing the name? Are these new 4-Series and M4 models just as appealing as they would have been had they retained the traditional naming policy?
Put in a different way: If you were in the market for a 4-Series-sized coupe or convertible, would the new name matter when making the final decision? Feel free to choose your preferred poll option, and don’t hesitate to use the comments box.
I don’t want to influence the result here in any way, but what I will do is will bring the 4-Series Gran Coupe to your attention, since we’re on the topic. It’s not a 3-Series, but it’s not a 4-Series Coupe, because that has two doors, right? It will cost more than both of them, and may get close to the 5-Series in terms of acquisition costs, and with a wheelbase only 48mm smaller, perhaps in terms of size, too.
But what is it? Is it a relevant new and unique model that combines 4-door practicality with coupe looks and more interior space (length- and not height-wise) than a regular 3-Series, or is it just more confusion in an increasingly cluttered BMW range? I think it steps on the toes of the 5-Series a bit.
