Out with the old and in with the new; the BMW 3 Series Coupé officially has a new name - the 4 Series - and it has received its public debut at the Detroit Auto Show. Officially the car shown is still a concept, but this is how the sporty coupé will look when it arrives in showrooms later this year.
Exterior
In the past, DNA common between the 3 Series saloon and Coupé has been undeniable, but with the new name comes a chance to break free of the 3 Series' styling. To do so the BMW designers have given the 4 Series a sportier look with 16mm chopped from the roofline and 50mm added to the wheelbase. The tracks have also increased with 45mm added to the front and 80mm to the rear. It's expected that the distinctive shape of the front air intakes and rear bumper insert will make it through to production.
Interior
Inside, the 4 Series features the same interior as the 3 Series saloon save for some interesting touches such as the hand-braided leather trim that features on the leather seats, the door cards, the floor mats and even in the cup holders. The trim is complemented by matt-effect Natural Chestnut wood trim that brings a premium feel to the cabin.
Mechanicals
BMW remains coy about the engine line-up for the 4 Series (preferring to focus on the looks of the newcomer), but as the sportier version of the 3 Series you can expect only the pokier engines to feature. We expect the petrol line-up to comprise a 420i, 428i and 435i with a 420d, 425d, 430d and 435d on the diesel side. This is without mentioning the M4 of course, which will follow and will likely feature a 450hp turbocharged straight-six.
Anything else?
The Coupé will be the first member of the 4 Series and a convertible model is expected to join soon afterwards. Just to confuse things a Gran Coupé (a four-door version of a two-door car that has a new name to separate it from the regular four-door) has been mooted.