BMW 4 Series Goes Long and Low

BMW models have been growing lower, longer and softer, as if they were being heated up, then gently tugged from each end. The new Concept Four released in advance of its appearance during press days at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January is longer, lower and less angular than the current 3 Series coupe, whose successor it seems to be.

It continues trends supervised by Karim Habib, who directs BMW brand design. Mr. Habib is credited with the current 7 series (Adrian van Hooydonk heads up design for the entire BMW Group as senior vice president).

The new model is also the beginning of a new and possibly more confusing numerical nomenclature for BMW models.

The company said in its release that “BMW has given the new model its own individual character and a stand-alone design – and, in so doing, has turned “4” into segment shorthand for aesthetic and dynamic appeal. The latest addition to a nomenclature that sees BMW building on the fine tradition of its large BMW 6 Series and BMW 8 Series Coupes, the “4” stands for greater sportiness, greater exclusivity and even clearer differentiation from the BMW 3 Series range.”

The 3 Series coupe, convertible and Gran Coupe models are to become 4 Series, with an added image of luxury and exclusivity, much as the sportier models of the 5 Series came to be denoted as 6s. In essence, all the coupes will be even numbered, but the company has not announced a formal change in its model naming policy. “For now, that’s the evident pattern but it’s not a rule,” Matthew Russell, a BMW spokesman, said in an e-mail.

At first glimpse the Concept Four seems most to resemble the 6 and 7 Series tweener called the Gran Coupe. It is Munich’s entrant in the four-door coupe contest to rival Mercedes CLS and Audi A7.

Representing the fourth generation of the 3 Series coupe, for more numerical confusion, the concept is very close to production, judging from comparison with past BMW show cars. It therefore also offers an important look at the overall themes of the evolution of the company’s 3 Series.

The critical theme of the new design is the shifting downward of air handling areas. The familiar kidney shaped grille is there, but the company says it is closed off. The serious business of feeding the engine takes place in a lower apertures whose form follows the LED headlights. These lower air vents are echoed in striking angled exit shapes along the rear valance, which will probably be toned down in the production model.

The metal frames and other details are executed matte metal. The current “double swage” theme of side character lines is made more striking. It leads to visual focus on the large rear fenders expressing BMWs traditional faith in rear-wheel drive.

Also on the side just behind the front wheels are new large parentheses-shaped side vents, which the company called air breathers. They appear to offer aero benefits and resemble the air curtain in front valance that smoothes air flow over front wheels.

Inside the car, familiar BMW forms are carried out in the idea of layering of information. The concept has attractive brown and black leather along with a lush chestnut wood.

The really cool braided leather cupholders are probably a designer’s whimsy for the concept vehicle. And if the flush door handles make it to the factory it will be a surprise as well.

Information about engine options and other beneath-the-skin facts will have to wait for Detroit’s press scrum.

Courtesy of wheels.blogs.nytimes.com