If there was ever a brand that embraced the idea of niche car marketing, it’s BMW. With model lines such as Gran Coupes, Gran Turismos and Active Tourers, BMW truly knows how to create niche vehicles, for better or worse. However, it seems as if the Bavarians are looking to consolidate two of those niches into one, with the next-generation BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe.
Apparently, BMW is looking to merge the 4 Series Gran Coupe with the 3 Series Gran Turismo and create one, sporty but practical, niche vehicle. We’ve already heard that the 3 Series GT was going to be phased out for the upcoming G20-gen 3 Series but we’re now hearing rumors of the 4 Series Gran Coupe sort of absorbing it. This shouldn’t be that surprising, though, considering BMW is also doing it with the 6 Series Gran Coupe and 5 Series GT. Much like those cars, the 3er GT and 4er GC will be combined and branded with the sportier moniker, in this case the 4 Series.
We aren’t sure what it will look like, but this upcoming 4 Series Gran Coupe should be quite the looker, especially if it looks similar to the above rendering. BMW seems to be going in a good direction, design-wise, as the new 5er looks very good and the spy photos we’re seeing of the upcoming 8 Series look very promising. But, more importantly, the spy photos of the upcoming 6 Series GT (or GC, depending on which way BMW goes with the name scheme) looks far sportier than the 5 Series GT we currently know.
From what we understand, there will be a variety of engine options for this 4 Series Gran Coupe, of both four and six-cylinders. The typical volume models will be as such: BMW 420i/425i/430i, which will all come with 2.0 liter four-cylinder variants. Then, there will be the performance models, which will be as followed: BMW M440d, which will get a 3.0 liter I6 diesel engine that will develop 315 hp and 501 lb-ft, while the BMW M440i will use a 3.0 liter I6 petrol that will make 382 hp and 354 lb-ft.
So, unfortunately for us, there will no longer be any BMW Gran Coupes. Instead a combination of GT and GC is planned to replaced both, similar to what BMW is doing with the 6 series. We aren’t exactly sure of what BMW will name this combination of niches. We’re just assuming one or the other will stick but it’s possible BMW comes up with another strange naming scheme. Either way, we don’t care what it’s called, so long as it looks good and handles well. That’s all we ask, BMW.
