BMW has previewed the design of the forthcoming M3
and M4 with the launch of the BMW Concept 4 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It
shows that the new 4-Series will be a radical departure from its predecessor
and have a face dominated by a kidney grille so big it could swallow two
children. If only Chris Bangle was still designing Bimmers.
The German car manufacturer’s press release
appropriately starts out by discussing that grille. According to BMW, “the
vertically oriented grille fits seamlessly into both the proportions of the
front end and BMW’s illustrious past” and it evokes classics such as the 328
and 3.0 CSi.
Looking past the vertical kidney grille are slim and
aggressive laser headlights as well as huge air intakes to gulp down air. The
Concept 4 also features particularly expressive sides and slim, two-section
mirrors that are partly finished in polished aluminium, as well as 21-inch
wheels with a five-spoke pattern.
As controversial as the design of the front may be,
we suspect people will be more accommodating for the rear fascia. The most
noteworthy feature out back are the flowing LED taillights, an angular bumper
with a gloss black diffuser and large, rectangular-shaped chrome tailpipes.
BMW hasn’t announced any tech details for the
Concept 4, but they’re not particularly important as the show car has simply
been meant to give us a taste of what the new 4-Series will look like. We
already have confirmation that the new M4, as well as the M3, will utilize the
same updated 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six as the new X3 M and X4 M pumping
out 473 HP in standard form and 503 HP in Competition spec.
