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      09-04-2012, 11:35 AM   #1
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Lightbulb First Look at BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe (F36) Against 3 Series Sedan and GT

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First Look at BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe (F36) Against 3 Series Sedan and GT
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We have recently spied the F36 4 Series Gran Coupe (4GC) out testing again and although it wears the same camouflage as before, we get a first look at the F36 against the F30 3 series sedan and the F34 3 Series GT (gran touring).

What's clearly confirmed by the photos is the expected difference in roofline heights and shapes between the different models, which mirror the differences between the 6 series gran coupe, 5 series sedan and 5 series GT. The 4GC features the lowest and sleekest roofline, followed by the slightly taller F30 sedan, and then the GT. The 4GC will also add some centimeters in its overall length compared to the F30 sedan.

Codenamed as the F36, the 4 Series Gran Coupe will top the 3-Series/4-Series range just as the 6 Series Gran Coupe does for the 5-Series/6-Series range. Like the 6 Series Gran Coupe, it will be the flagship of the non-M series line for the 3/4-Series lineup and will be priced accordingly. For reference, the 2013 640i Gran Coupe is priced at a $1600 premium over the 2013 640i Coupe.

Like the 6 Series Gran Coupe, the 4 Series Gran Coupe combines the convenience of 4 doors (and larger rear passenger cabin) with the sleek roofline and silhouette of a coupe. It will share the upcoming 4 Series Coupe (F32)'s overall styling, just as the 6 Series Gran Coupe shares with its coupe counterpart. The 4 Series coupe recently revealed its kidney grille design (photos), which we will also see on the 4 Series Gran Coupe. It will also share the same engine offerings as the 4 Series coupe and convertible.

With the 4 Series Gran Coupe as an addition, here is a summary of the upcoming 3 Series / 4 Series lineup:
  • F30 3 Series Sedan
  • F31 3 Series Touring
  • F32 4 Series Coupe
  • F33 4 Series Convertible
  • F34 3 Series (GT) Gran Touring
  • F35 3 Series Long Wheelbase (China only)
  • F36 4 Series Gran Coupe
Just as the 6 Series Gran Coupe has spawned the M6 Gran Coupe, so it would come as no shock to see an eventual M4 Gran Coupe as well.

Expect the 4 Series Gran Coupe to hit the market sometime in 2014 to compete with the Audi A5 Sportback.



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      09-04-2012, 02:32 PM   #2
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4 series gc is the dumbest thing ever. A 4 door coupe this is so stupid. What the point of the 3 series then?
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      09-04-2012, 02:35 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lville
4 series gc is the dumbest thing ever. A 4 door coupe this is so stupid. What the point of the 3 series then?
More models for more niches/demographics. We'll still get sedan and a coupe so works for me. Nice to see it lower than the sedan.
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      09-04-2012, 02:49 PM   #4
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Think of how much cheaper BMWs could be if they didnt waste all this money developing and researching pointless vehicles.. the 3er would still be 28k.

Vehicles i think are pointless and we already have a perfect solution for them.

3GT
4GC
X4
5GT
6GC
X6
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      09-04-2012, 02:55 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wdeerfield
Think of how much cheaper BMWs could be if they didnt waste all this money developing and researching pointless vehicles.. the 3er would still be 28k.

Vehicles i think are pointless and we already have a perfect solution for them.

3GT
4GC
X4
5GT
6GC
X6
Sorry but you're dreaming with that theory. The 3 series would probably be priced the same as it is now even without the extra new models. It's not a whole new platform they're developing for cars like the 3gt and 4gc so the costs aren't what you think.
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      09-04-2012, 07:20 PM   #6
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I don't understand the hate for the 4GC. I love having the additional market segmentation between the standard more utilitarian sedan, and a slightly more sporty sedan that loses the fifth seat.

I love the 6GC, but think it's far too large. 4GC could be something really special.

Thank you, Mercedes, for creating this segment.
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      09-04-2012, 07:23 PM   #7
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I feel the roofline is kinda high, doesnt seem much sportier than 3 series sedan
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      09-04-2012, 07:25 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lville View Post
4 series gc is the dumbest thing ever. A 4 door coupe this is so stupid. What the point of the 3 series then?
Because more choice is always good.
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      09-04-2012, 07:58 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by antzcrashing View Post
I feel the roofline is kinda high, doesnt seem much sportier than 3 series sedan
kinda reminds me of a E90 :/
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      09-04-2012, 07:58 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aajami View Post
I don't understand the hate for the 4GC. I love having the additional market segmentation between the standard more utilitarian sedan, and a slightly more sporty sedan that loses the fifth seat.

I love the 6GC, but think it's far too large. 4GC could be something really special.

Thank you, Mercedes, for creating this segment.
I agree. having a sedan is cool (I own an E90) but I like the sleeker lines of the coupe. The Grand Coupe would be the perfect fit for guys who want the convenience of 4 doors with the low roofline of a coupe

THANK YOU BMW!
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      09-04-2012, 08:12 PM   #11
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Is it a 5dr fastback / hatchback after all? It seems so:


5th door? A hatch? It seems very much so! Look at the inner cut line in the D-pillar.

[IMG]http://www.**************.com/community/attachments/hatch5-jpg.13555/[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.**************.com/community/attachments/hatch-jpg.13551/[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.**************.com/community/attachments/hatch2-jpg.13552/[/IMG]

[IMG]http://www.**************.com/community/attachments/hatch3-jpg.13553/[/IMG]

With clearly visible C-pillar (1) and rear seat belt housing positioned behind the pillar and below the 3rd side window (2):

[IMG]http://www.**************.com/community/attachments/hatch4-jpg.13554/[/IMG]

That means C-pillar is real, and the rear door opens to C-pillar only (like on GTs, Tourings & SAVs/SACs), not to D pillar (like on sedans or 6er Gran Coupe).

I'm trying to show the inner cut line in the D-pillar. Check it out how it looks eg. on 5er GT: http://www.worldcarfans.com/11105233.../highphotos#18

Meaning the rear window opens together with the trunk lid ( = hatch door aka 5th door). And, yes there is a 3rd side window there, and therefore D-pillar as well.

Meaning 4er GC is actually a 4er GT after all: a hatchback/fastback 5dr coupe ala A5 Sportback.

Or perhaps BMW invested a lot in a fake interior camo (fake C-pillar, fake 3rd side window, fake seat belt housing under the fake 3rd side window, fake inner cladding of fake D-pillar - showing fake cut line) to make 4dr 4er GC looking like a 5dr coupe, a hatchback/fastback. But I see no point in such act. It's much more likely 4er GC is actually a 4er GT with 4 doors, not a GC with 4 doors like 6er GC.

PS: there will be frameless windows on 4er GC /GT - check the missing cut line in the B-pillar on the prototype in the spy pics. The blue render is wrong since it features it ... just like the "framefull" 3er Sedan in the spy photo. 3er GT comes with frameless windows as well.

Last edited by EnI; 09-04-2012 at 08:38 PM..
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      09-04-2012, 08:14 PM   #12
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With so many options available the only excuse not to buy a BMW will be bad taste, haha. I'm kidding - but they will have a class for most budgets eventually it seems.
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      09-04-2012, 08:22 PM   #13
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This is soooo pathetic, i do not know who got drunk and thought of this as a good idea! *cough* idiot.
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      09-04-2012, 09:00 PM   #14
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Hello all,

I want to see how the coupe will differentiate itself from the sedan (both headlights and tailights and the body, etc...), then I can decide. Since the 4GC is an elongated version of it. But more choices are a great thing.

I just saw the 640i GC and that's one good looking, expensive car.
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      09-04-2012, 09:19 PM   #15
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If the 4 GC is actually a 5doot Hatch car then that adds a new candidate to my list for my car next year, was thinking that the 3GT was gonna be hatch only...
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      09-04-2012, 10:24 PM   #16
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This is stupid it looks like a regular 3 series. Maybe when the camo comes off it will look a lot different but right now

I understand the 6 gran coupe. I even like that. But a 4 series coupe... this is just a few mm off from being a 3 series in proportions. No thanks. At least the 6 looks a lot different compared to the regular coupe.

I hope this is NOT a foreshadowing to what the X4 might look like. If so then it will be a waste of time.
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      09-04-2012, 11:23 PM   #17
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Kudos to the photographer for getting these shots. The 3GT is taller than I was hoping it would be.... I was really hoping BMW would learn from Audi and make the hatchback a sleeker, sportier design. I'll wait until the full reveal, but after seeing it between the two sedans, the 3GT looks too tall and might be off my list.

As for the 4GC, the internal "cut line" highlighed by Eni could be the track for the rear sunshade. That said, I'd like to see it as a hatch, as it would be a real competitor to the A5/S5. It's a shame to hear that it won't be out until 2014.... I'm willing to wait until 2013 for a new car, but won't be able to hold out another year!
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      09-05-2012, 12:12 AM   #18
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      09-05-2012, 12:17 AM   #19
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No matter how good looking or how desirable this 4GC/4GT is,

i just dont see the point, and prefer to stick to my trusty 3 sedan...
as far as GC goes, there is only one and it's the 6GC... nothing in bmw's regular line up is more sexy... certainly wont be the 4GC... that wont fool any of us here.

BMW want so badly to acquire those niche markets...
for those would likes the esthetic of the coupe and yet are not ready to sacrifice the practicality of the 4-door...

there is your compromising 4GC...
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      09-05-2012, 12:44 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wdeerfield View Post
Think of how much cheaper BMWs could be if they didnt waste all this money developing and researching pointless vehicles.. the 3er would still be 28k.

Vehicles i think are pointless and we already have a perfect solution for them.

3GT
4GC
X4
5GT
6GC
X6
Most of the new models have been profitable, that means having more models in the lineup actually increases the amount of money BMW has for R&D and makes the rest of the lineup cheaper, not more expensive.

I think I remember reading that the 5GT was selling slowly and that they were considering canceling it, but on the other hand the X6 has been selling so well that they're following up with the X4 and are coming out with even more high-end SUVs.

As a general rule of thumb, a business does things to make money so you can rest assured that if BMW was losing money making all these extra cars, the board of directors would simply stop approving them. This is a company that has shown itself to be very acutely aware of the feasibility of its future products. Remember that they worked on the E92 M3 CSL for a couple years before the board cancelled the project after the economic crisis destroyed the potential market for that car.
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      09-05-2012, 12:54 AM   #21
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do you guys really think 3 series coupe/convertible will be renamed 4 series? I doubt it.
BMW trade marked a lot of nomenclature like M1, M2, M7, M10, X2, X4 but didn't trade mark 4 series either
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      09-05-2012, 01:22 AM   #22
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sorry I don't like it. The body style looks like a new Maxima and those headlights look like the old Acura Integra.
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