After countless spies of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe, patent images of the upcoming ‘bimmer have been leaked onto the internet.
Is it a longer wheel base 3 Series? Or just a 4 Series Coupe with extra doors? You can be the judge of that.
The 4 Series Gran Coupe will have the same engine variants as its coupe brother including the 435i’s 300-hp 3.0-liter six-cylinder unit. Expect a reveal at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
The foundation that Burkard Bovensiepen laid in the 1960s in the form of a performance-enhanced BMW 1500, has since developed into a permanent fixture in the luxury sports car segment.
What were then the first technologically and qualitatively relevant products marketed by ALPINA, namely four-cylinder petrol engines with Weber dual carburettors, are now in modern form high-tech automobiles. Equipped from the outset with the best possible genes by BMW, they currently represent the ultimate in performance, comfort, driving culture and efficiency.
The new BMW ALPINA B3 and B4 Bi-Turbo models combine these characteristics like no other. The modern straight-six 3 litre engine equipped with two turbochargers produces 410hp and a maximum torque of 600Nm. The adaptive ALPINA sport suspension and the 8-Speed Sport-Automatic transmission with ALPINA SWITCH-TRONIC deliver maximum comfort and impressive dynamics. Functional aerodynamics, signature 20” ALPINA CLASSIC wheels and two elliptical double tailpipes are hallmarks of the ALPINA design philosophy.
The perfect interaction of power, torque and high-tech transmission means accelerating from 0 to 100km/h (0 – 62mph) takes just 4.2 seconds and a staggering top speed in excess of 300km/h is possible. At the same time these qualities encourage relaxed cruising and stress-free long distance journeys – during which the real life consumption easily drops below 10l per 100km. In fact the new B4 Bi-Turbo Coupé achieves a class-leading combined fuel economy of just 7.6l/100km and 177g/km CO2*
Since the reveal of the F32 4 Series Coupe, it’s no surprise BMW has decided to drop a lot of camouflage off the 4 Series Convertible, almost fully revealing itself. As with its predecessor, the E93 3 Series Convertible, the F33 4 Series Convertible will feature a full metal folding roof.
The 4 Series Convertible will be sharing the same engines and transmissions as the F32 Coupe along with its design cues. The only thing that the F32 and F33 does not share in common, is the roof-lines (the F33 being quite traditional in its design and the F32 Coupe being quite sloped and fastback-like).
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Expect production of the 4 Series Convertible to begin later this year around November 2013.
New images have emerged of a Silverstone F82 M4 testing on the Nurburgring, wearing M Carbon Ceramic Brakes. It doesn’t reveal any new features, but some technical details have surfaced.
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BIMMERPOST were recently informed by a BMW M official that the engine powering the M4 will boast an 8000 RPM redline.
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WHAT DO WE KNOW?
• Lighter than current M3 (targeting E46 M3 weight
• More powerful than current M3, but around 100 lb-ft more torque
• Faster than current M3
• More efficient than current M3
• Powered by “S55” inline 6 cylinder multi turbo engine
• Nearly 8k RPM redline
• DCT and manual transmission options
• Optional M Carbon Ceramic Brakes
• Rumored Electric Power Steering
• Prototype Tires – Michelin Pilot Super Sport: 255/35/19 (front), 275/35/19 (rear)
• Front styling to feature elements from the M6 and 1M coupe, with Air Curtain technology
• Hood features power bump / dome
• Kidney grilles feature double-slats with M3/M4 badge
• F82 M4 coupe to feature double-bubble sculpted carbon fiber roof , with optional sunroof
• M3 Introduced late 2013 – early 2014
• M3 European Delivery begins June 2014, at earliest
• M4 hits dealers no earlier than late 2014 – early 2015
BMW have been quite busy lately testing cars back-to-back at the Nurburgring, which now includes some more testing of the BMW 435i M Sport. However, not much has been revealed in these photos but it has envisioned how it will perform on a track.
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The 435i M Sport you see here is in Estoril Blue II. Unfortunately, the M Sport bumpers remain under camouflage so it’s not 100% clear on the changes. The headlights have had a slight overhaul too, they now feature optional full LED headlights with squared-off corona rings. M Sport brakes are fitted on this model but the M Sport wheels are not
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Source: BIMMERPOST
Since BMW has designated the 3 Series Coupe as the 4 Series, BMW have decided to broaden each sector with different variants. In this case, the 4 Series will be coming as a Coupe, Cabriolet, a X4 Sports Activity Coupe (SAC) and a 4 Door Coupe not to mention a M4 Gran Coupe could be well underway.
BMW are taking a gamble walking towards the niche market but with Mercedes-Benz and Audi already settled and stable within it, BMW have no other choice but to pit the 4 Series Gran Coupe against them to keep up with rivalry and to ensure they come out superior.
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Theoretically, powertrains will most probably be carried over from the 3 Series to the 4 Series line, so the 428i will feature a 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that will produce 240-hp and 255 lb-ft of torque. The 435i will feature a 3.0-liter TwinPower Turbo inline 6-cylinder engine that’ll output 300-hp.
In the video above the model most probably being tested is the 435i from its distinctive sounds which are somewhat reminiscent of the BMW E46 M3. The clear and raspy sound that the engine outputs indicates BMW are mixing new and old flavour to create one quality product.
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Being tested on the Nurburgring, the 4 Series Gran Coupe is really put through its paces by a professional driver. Each corner is rendered seamless to the 4 Series Gran Coupe, proving that BMW have once again created a quality product. The engine sounds sweet, the car seems to handle incredibly well for its size and without its disguise, we have faith it’ll look the part!
The BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe’s interior is part derived from the 6 Series Gran Coupe and 3 Series. It features a center divided console leaning towards the driver like the 6 Series Gran Coupe and the dashboard from a 3 Series.
All in all, the new 4 Series Gran Coupe will definitely be a success, combining the 6 Series Gran Coupe’s lines and quality, and the 3 Series’ performance. Mercedes and Audi will have to ensure the CLA and A5 Sportback is cut for the job to stay on top of the new 4 Series Gran Coupe.
