[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by aajami

I am holding my breath for this car (or more specifically, the potential M4 Gran Coupe). That said, all the spy shots make the rear end look really bulky, and not at all like Harold Wood's render that shows a much more svelte rear end like that of the 6-series Gran Coupe. I sincerely hope it looks like the latter and not the former.

I remember reading somewhere here that there are no plans for a M4 GC. Only 4 series. I would personally love to see an M4 GC (inline with the M6 GC), so i hope my information is wrong. Maybe well get it as an LCI?

[turbolag]

Originally Posted by advantage20

Then let's put a tailgate on each and every BMW since it is more practical? Utility/practicality is the purpose of a Gran Turismo. A Gran Coupé is indeed supposed to add extra flexibility through extra rear space and extra doors for an easy access to the rear (which this car won't have since the rear door opening is smaller than it should have been), but it is still supposed to be a BMW Coupé like the vehicle it is based upon (= no hatchback). Nice and practical car? Absolutely. Just noting that labelling this as a Gran Coupé is dishonest and makes BMW's strategy inconsistent.

Yeah sure I would love a tailgate.

Just give me a fucking 335i touring. Or the 335d touring.

[aajami]

Originally Posted by ///M235i

I remember reading somewhere here that there are no plans for a M4 GC. Only 4 series. I would personally love to see an M4 GC (inline with the M6 GC), so i hope my information is wrong. Maybe well get it as an LCI?

I read that update from Jason as well. It sounded like plans for the M4 GC were unlikely, but that it wasn't definitive. Either way, if the 4GC is meant to be a competitor to the A5 Sportback instead of a baby 6GC, then I want nothing to do with it.

[z335ixp09]

i agree tho that if it's a hatch, it'll make bmw's product lineup inconsistent. i'm hoping this will be a 5-seater hatchback tho but i doubt that'll happen. love 'em hatches! i did have 2 mazda hatches, currently have a wrx hatch and i'm ready to go upmarket. only thing is that i don't like suv/sav's, don't like wagons either, but kinda like the 3GT tho it won't come with a stick. this car's launch will be perfect timing for my euro vacation and my lease end.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

The 4GC does not have a hatch; pics of the test mules clearly show a fixed rear lite.
I think the trunk lid is motorized so you can also use Comfort Access to close the lid.

[RichReg]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

The 4GC does not have a hatch; pics of the test mules clearly show a fixed rear lite.
I think the trunk lid is motorized so you can also use Comfort Access to close the lid.

The A5 SB has a rear lite at the top of the rear window and it opens as a hatch.
Couldn't the 4GC have it the same way (?).

[Saphirschwarz]

What is MINERAL BLUE ????

[midlifecrisis]

Please, BMW! Please bring a M4 Gran Coupe!!! I want it to be my next car!

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

The trunk lid/rear lite on this mule sure looks like a conventional trunk to me...

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by RichReg

Speaking of engines, didn't Scott26/27 mention that this is the first car that would feature the replacement for the N55?
There might be more power to move that extra weight....

He did, but given the timing I am pretty skeptical now. I didn't expect the 4 GC until September 2014 or so. It would be a bit surprising to see a 435i GC with the B58 come essentially at the same time as the 435i convertible with the N55. The latter will be the more expensive car, remember. It seems more likely now that the B58 comes in late 2015 for all 3 and 4 (3 Series LCI at that time too), and possibly 5, 6 or others as well.

This, of course, assumes that the B58 will actually have more power than the N55 in its first iteration.

[Saphirschwarz]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

The trunk lid/rear lite on this mule sure looks like a conventional trunk to me...

Really ? you can clearly see the cutlines goin all the way to the roof.
If this ain't a hatch...

[cqckdiezel]

Too many models!!!!

[Pinkoboe]

Originally Posted by Saphirschwarz

Really ? you can clearly see the cutlines goin all the way to the roof.
If this ain't a hatch...

And to add to that there is no cut in the camouflage between the bottom of the rear window and the top of the trunk.

So if this thing indeed is a hatchback, I am trying to understand the difference between the GC and the GT. Just a lower roofline? I know BMW is desperate to add model to their range, but this seems odd.

Personally, I was looking forward to a 4GC that would be a smaller version of the 6GC. Something that would slot nicely between the 3 and 5 series sedans. Not particularly excited about a hatchback.

[raleedy]

Originally Posted by unit

And to add to that there is no cut in the camouflage between the bottom of the rear window and the top of the trunk.

So if this thing indeed is a hatchback, I am trying to understand the difference between the GC and the GT. Just a lower roofline? I know BMW is desperate to add model to their range, but this seems odd.

Personally, I was looking forward to a 4GC that would be a smaller version of the 6GC. Something that would slot nicely between the 3 and 5 series sedans. Not particularly excited about a hatchback.

Well for one thing the 3 series GT is based on the stretch F30 sedan that is built for the Chinese market, so it's quite a bit longer and, generally, bigger. It also sits higher, with taller roofline and higher seating position. And, isn't it xDrive only? Those seem to me to be significant differences. I think the 4GC relates to the 4 series coupe much the way the 6GC relates to the 6 series coupe. 4 and 6 are fundamentally different, though: different platforms altogether.

[RichReg]

Originally Posted by unit

So if this thing indeed is a hatchback, I am trying to understand the difference between the GC and the GT. Just a lower roofline? I know BMW is desperate to add model to their range, but this seems odd.

Only other difference I can think of is that the hatch will simply be smaller with a sharp 'bend' in it.
Probably opens somewhat like the pic below;; as opposed to the hatch-lid on an A5 Sportback, which is very straight.

[RichReg]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

He did, but given the timing I am pretty skeptical now. I didn't expect the 4 GC until September 2014 or so. It would be a bit surprising to see a 435i GC with the B58 come essentially at the same time as the 435i convertible with the N55. The latter will be the more expensive car, remember. It seems more likely now that the B58 comes in late 2015 for all 3 and 4 (3 Series LCI at that time too), and possibly 5, 6 or others as well.

Why not September 2014, if the engine's ready?
Why wouldn't BMWNA pull their famous 'short-run' routine for both the 2014 convertible AND GC
...then 3 months later: SURPRISE! Model Year 2015 with the new B58.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by RichReg

Why not September 2014, if the engine's ready?
Why wouldn't BMWNA pull their famous 'short-run' routine for both the 2014 convertible AND GC
...then 3 months later: SURPRISE! Model Year 2015 with the new B58.

Possible in theory but it seems a big waste to sink money into putting the N55 in the car for just three or four months.

[ny325]

With line this, package that, the GC will be veeeeery ex$pen$ive. I'm not sure what market BMW is aiming for with this model. It almost looks like a 3 series. I think pricing will be close to the 5 series.

[turbolag]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Possible in theory but it seems a big waste to sink money into putting the N55 in the car for just three or four months.

N54? Didn't LCI 3er get the N55?

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by turbolag

N54? Didn't LCI 3er get the N55?

Sure, but the N54 was there for a lot longer than a few months. Even the N52-powered 330i lasted a year and a half before being replaced (in the US) by the 335i. But, like I said before if the B58 is only to have ~300hp as well then it's a different story. Still seems unlikely, though, given the investment. Plus, a third generation of engine with 300hp? To me that would be very disappointing, and I think most would agree.

[RichReg]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Possible in theory but it seems a big waste to sink money into putting the N55 in the car for just three or four months.

Or maybe it'll be money they're saving if the B58 truly costs less to produce than the N55.
Isn't that the whole idea: BMW Efficient Dynamics Engines? They're modular, correct, ...and easier to assemble?

If it is to be replaced, I would think sooner rather than later.

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by RichReg

The A5 SB has a rear lite at the top of the rear window and it opens as a hatch.
Couldn't the 4GC have it the same way (?).

That Audi is looking sharp! And DCT? Hmmm ...


However, I suspect the 4 gran coupe will look better. If the 6 gran coupe is any indication.