[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW 4 Series Coupe (F32) and Convertible (F33) Expose Kidney Grilles!

93
COMMENTS

Tweet

The F32 4 Series Coupe and F33 4 Series Convertible have finally shown one of its most important signature design elements (and on any BMW) - the kidney grilles!

As expected, the kidney grilles of the coupe are sportier (thinner, shapelier and wider) than that of the F30 3 Series sedan. A close look reveals a different number of slats and differing designs for the grilles on each side - 11 flatter slats on the driver side versus 9 'kinked' slats on the passenger side. We are likely looking at the separate grille designs for the different 'lines' that the F32 and F33 will be offered in (just like the F30 sedan). The closeup image of the hood and front end also reveals extra camouflage panels on top the hood (on each side) which give the false impression of a more bulbous and raised hood.

The F32/F33's styling and stance are sportier, lower and wider than the F30. The F32 coupe may also have a small integrated bootlid spoiler which we've spotted in previous pics (reposted below). These prototype still wear some heavy camouflage and although the actual production headlights are still covered, once exposed should reveal a sleeker version of the F30 headlights, but also connecting with the grilles like on the F30.

This first look at the F32/F33 grilles also confirms what we have speculated before - that the F80 M3 sedan prototypes we've spotted possibly share the F32/F33 grille design instead of the F30 sedan's (see the similarities in the comparison image below).

In case you haven't followed previous news and are surprised about the 4 series moniker, BMW is likely set to split up the 3 series lineup -- the sedan, touring and GT models will retain the 3 series badge, while the coupe, convertible and Gran Coupe models will be newly designated as 4 series. The jury is still out if this will hold true for the M3 models as well, but BMW's tradition is to name its M models after the production series on which they are based. (which may yield an "M4" coupe) - something which M boss Dr. Nitschke alluded to in our previous interview.

The 4 Series Coupe and Convertible will be powered by the same or similar engines as the F30 and F31 - 2.0L twin-turbo inline 4 and 3.0L twin-turbo inline 6 petrol engines. Both engines will be available with either a manual transmission or 8-speed automatic, and both should also be available with xDrive. Maybe (but only maybe), the 4 series models will get a slight power bump over the current engines producing 240hp and 300hp, respectively. There have also been rumors that perhaps the F32's introduction will be an occasion for BMW to introduce a successor engine to the current 6-cyl N55 engine powering the F30, but that's purely rumor for now.

The F32 4 Series Coupe will begin production in July 2013 and the F33 Convertible's production will follow in November 2013.


* Click on image for higher resolution images *

This closeup of the hood and front end reveals extra camouflage panels on top the hood (on each side) which give the false impression of a more bulbous and raised hood, masking the sleeker bonnet underneath.





Comparison of F80 M3 Sedan grilles with F32 4 Series Coupe grilles, showing a possible match between the two.








Most recent spy video of and rear photos of F32 coupe (showing small trunk spoiler).

[Sp82]

July 2013??! thats a bummer....

any word on if they are going to wait another 6 months until the msport version is released like they did on the sedan? or will it all be together?...

[jrlee53]

I know its only camouflage, but seeing that face instantly made me think of this.


See the resemblance..

[nwillia]

BMW better hurry-up and show some true photos of this thing before I go and purchase the new c-class coupe!

[georgere]

No way in July. The car should be revealed in jan/feb and for sale in march/April in US.

[gatorfast]

What's with the name switch from 3 series to 4 series? Why is BMW doing that?

[kavehm]

BAaaahahahahahaha!!!! Definitely Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle-ish!!! That front end is not an aesthetic improvement imho.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

What's with the name switch from 3 series to 4 series? Why is BMW doing that?

Say hi to Alfred for us, Mr Wayne. That cave you've been living in is pretty cool.

BMW has been threating this rename since before the E9x cars.

[WWM3]

The 07-10 e92 bumper was perfect!.. now its just...awful. The e92 LCI was a step in the wrong direction and the F30 is as well (M-sport not included). This will be no different. Its almost trying to be Audi-like.

[palpatine_us]

I would've used the Bin Laden Cave reference myself.

[gary88]

Originally Posted by JDy80

I know its only camouflage, but seeing that face instantly made me think of this.

See the resemblance..

[WWM3]

Originally Posted by gatorfast

What's with the name switch from 3 series to 4 series? Why is BMW doing that?

Because Audi has a A5/S5 which they sell for a premium over the A4/S4 even though its the same car(pretty much), so this is BMW's chance to do the same. Call it a 4 series and increase the mark-up of the coupe over the sedan!

[TheBingoBalls]

Originally Posted by WW335

The 07-10 e92 bumper was perfect!.. now its just...awful. The e92 LCI was a step in the wrong direction and the F30 is as well (M-sport not included). This will be no different. Its almost trying to be Audi-like.

I agree. And not being able to get a E92 335 with M-Sport to remove the bumper was one of the determining factors of a few friends that decided not to get 335. I don't' know what happened with the available options this late in the product cycle. I could understand at the beginning of the cycle but not at the end where everything has been established for the model.

Originally Posted by WW335

Because Audi has a A5/S5 which they sell for a premium over the A4/S4 even though its the same car(pretty much), so this is BMW's chance to do the same. Call it a 4 series and increase the mark-up of the coupe over the sedan!

Do you remember what the price was for the coupe over the sedan? I want to see how much they charged with the E9X and how much more with the name change.

EDIT: Found it. Seems to be about a 9k difference between sedan/coupe. I thought they were much closer so the name change doesn't really make sense to me still. If it were say $3-4k difference in price and the name change would allow BMW to make it to the $9k it currently is I would say sure, makes sense.

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by JDy80

I know its only camouflage, but seeing that face instantly made me think of this.

See the resemblance..

Lol

[KPK2003]

Is it just me, or is the coupe pulling a camper trailer in the first 4 pictures???

[WWM3]

Originally Posted by 宝马.e90

I agree. And not being able to get a E92 335 with M-Sport to remove the bumper was one of the determining factors of a few friends that decided not to get 335. I don't' know what happened with the available options this late in the product cycle. I could understand at the beginning of the cycle but not at the end where everything has been established for the model.




Do you remember what the price was for the coupe over the sedan? I want to see how much they charged with the E9X and how much more with the name change.

Unfortunately I do not remember, although I'm sure someone on this board knows. But I guarantee it increases w/ the 4 series.

Also, I didn't know you couldn't order an e92 335 w/ m-sport at the end of production. That's nuts.

[ThreeTwentyEightI]

Originally Posted by KPK2003

Is it just me, or is the coupe pulling a camper trailer in the first 4 pictures???

[WWM3]

Originally Posted by KPK2003

Is it just me, or is the coupe pulling a camper trailer in the first 4 pictures???

Lol! It definitely is!

[Jblack4083]

I think the F80 will have the F82 front end.

Originally Posted by kavehm

BAaaahahahahahaha!!!! Definitely Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle-ish!!! That front end is not an aesthetic improvement imho.

didn't know they revealed it to you already

[SamS]

Originally Posted by georgere

No way in July. The car should be revealed in jan/feb and for sale in march/April in US.

No.

E92/93 will be produced through June '13, so we may not even see the F32 on US shores until Sept '13.

[keanu1]

the grills!! OMG!!! too small! weierd looking!! no BMW , no!!

[southlight]

Originally Posted by WW335

The 07-10 e92 bumper was perfect!.. now its just...awful. The e92 LCI was a step in the wrong direction and the F30 is as well (M-sport not included). This will be no different. Its almost trying to be Audi-like.

Wait until you see the final design. For now, it's just camo.

Originally Posted by KPK2003

Is it just me, or is the coupe pulling a camper trailer in the first 4 pictures???

Yep, that needs to be tested too.


Best regards,
south