BMW confirms 4 Series Gran Coupe is in the works

THE long-suspected development of a new-generation BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe has finally been confirmed by brand executives with the swooping four-door coupe set to be with us “very soon”.

The revelation was made by BMW design boss Christopher Weil and 4 Series project manager Andreas Ederer as the pair was quizzed by Australian media at the virtual launch of the new 4 Series this week, specifically as to how the coupe’s muscular styling would transfer across to a four-door.

“The four-door is also very muscular, very elegant so it will be – as you’ve seen already on concept cars which are kind of reflecting the looks of the 4 Series Gran Coupe – the same way as the coupe let’s say,” Mr Weil said.

“Of course the roofline is different but the car will be stunning.”

More and more images of camouflaged test mules have been surfacing in recent weeks with each new sighting revealing more and more of the car’s design, pointing to an almost imminent debut.

This notion was backed by Mr Weil who went on to say the 4 Series Gran Coupe would be with us “pretty soon”.

Based on the rough launch timing of the other 4 Series variants – M4 included – we would expect the Gran Coupe to be debuted and launched sometime next year for the 2022 model year.

According to Mr Weil, prospective 4 Series customers are of a different – read younger – mindset to 3 Series customers, specifically in terms of non-conformity with the 4 Series being more polarising and standing apart from the rest of the more “classical” BMW range.

The Gran Coupe meanwhile is supposedly for people with the same rebellious mindset as the coupe but who also need the practicality of four doors.

“The two-door coupe is of course more pure and even more expressive, so it’s not fitting to every life situation,” Mr Weil said.

“Therefore the four-door coupe fits in.”

The confirmation of the 4 Series Gran Coupe should not ultimately come as a surprise given the success being enjoyed by the 2 Series and 8 Series Gran Coupes, with BMW claiming 69 per cent of 2 Series sales and 40 per cent of 8 Series sales to be the four-door coupe versions.

The other piece of key information revealed at the launch was the fact the 4 Series would not be offered as a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) like the related 3 Series (330e).

Mr Ederer was quick to qualm the possibly of a green 4 Series, saying a “plug-in hybrid is not currently planned”.

This move in particular is an interesting one as it reinforces the 4 Series’ sportier demeanour and edge over the 3 Series but simultaneously leaves BMW without a direct link between the traditionally powered Gran Coupe and the looming all-electric i4, a vehicle which will share its rough dimensions and shape with the four-door 4 Series.

As for the rest of the 4 Series range, BMW Australia expects the mid-spec 430i to be its most popular variant with the mainstream range hitting showrooms this month.

The ballistic and even more radically-styled M4 (and matching M3) are due to arrive early next year, joined by the 4 Series Convertibles.

BMW has sold 285 4 Series’ so far this year ending October, accounting for 10.5 per cent of the $80,000-plus sportscar segment which is currently being led by the Mercedes-Benz C-Class and E-Class Coupes which occupy a 49.9 per cent share between them.