BMW’s decision to rename the 3-Series Coupe the 4-Series has certainly resulted in a lot of debate. Munich’s reasoning is that the Coupe is different enough to its saloon sibling, upon which it is based, to deserve a new designation.
Moreover,
it adheres to the carmaker’s decision to name coupes, convertibles and
sportier-looking sedans (think 6 Series Gran Coupe) with even numbers,
something that will also be applied to the forthcoming 1-Series Coupe
that will be renamed the 2-Series.
Does the name change really matter? You betcha;
that’s because it will also affect the M-Division-fettled range topper
of the coupe and possibly convertible range, which will no longer be
named the M3 (though, the name will continue with the sedan) but the M4.
That’s
a break with tradition greater than the switch to turbocharging. After
all, we’ve beginning to get accustomed to turbocharged M-cars, such as
the M5, and bringing back an in-line six-cylinder harks back to the E36
and E46 models. The real reason, of course, is that downsizing and
turbocharging help the new car, which bears the F82 code-name, to
conform to more strict emission regulations while offering much the same
horsepower, better torque (thanks to the blowers) and be more
eco-friendly.
The cooking 4-Series has been officially unveiled
as a thinly-disguised concept ahead of its world premiere at the
Detroit Motor Show next month and is quite a looker. Even though the M4
has already been caught on camera and on film doing the rounds at the ‘Ring,
it wore camouflage and we’ll have to wait for next fall’s Frankfurt
Motor Show, for the concept and mid-to-late 2014 for sales to begin.
In
the meantime, here’s a couple of renderings courtesy of JAdesigns75 for
the F30Post forums that show us how the upcoming M4 could look like.
The car certainly looks the part, complete with hood bulge,
double-bubble roof, aggressive front air intakes to feed the (two, or is
it three?) turbochargers and of course wheel arch-filling alloys and
quad tail pipes.
So, what do you think? Feel free to voice your opinion in the comments section right after the break.
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