2013 BMW 4-series

 

                    2013 BMW 4-series

 

This never was a well kept secret and BMW has now made it official. BMW in 2013 will be launching the 4-series which will replace the current 3-series coupe. According to a statement from BMW ‘The ‘4’ doesn’t just mark the start of a new cycle. It marks the start of a model with its own individual character and a stand-alone design.’ The 4-series would compete with the Audi A5 and would be priced over the 3-series. There will also be a convertible version of the four door 4-series coupe and the 4-series we expect would be shown at the 2013 Detroit auto show.

Design

BMW is clear that they want to give the 4-series an individual character and the production car is expected to be close to the concept. Though we expect the production car to be a bit mellower, the 4-series would be muscular and wide with a sporty stance. The lines on the car are sharp and aggressive with prominently bulging wheel arches. There though is an undeniable similarity between the 4-series and the current BMW’s on sale with the headlights and the kidney grille. The air dam is prominent, the car has a tipped forward and low stance. The profile is sporty and the rear has a L-shaped kink. The styling is done keeping the aerodynamics in mind. The styling has more flourish that what we have now become accustomed from contemporary BMW’s and adding presence are the 20 inch alloy wheels. Front and rear lights have daytime running LED’s.

Interiors

There is similarity to the 3-series as far as the cabin goes with the instrument cluster and a bit of the switchgear and the high-mounted infotainment are the same as the 3-series. The dash has a similar layout too with a matt finished natural chestnut finish, the seats are in leather and have contrasting stitching lines. The cupholders are in leather too and the 4-series will have a wheelbase of 2810mm, will be 4641mm long, 1826mm wide and 1326mm high.

Engine and Performance

There has been no information about the engine line up yet from the manufacturer but we expect the 4-series to use a range of diesel and petrol engines starting from the 1.8-litre, 4 cylinder petrol, the 3-litre petrol, the 2.8-litre petrol and the 3.5-litre V6 petrol. The diesel engines on offer are expected to be the 2.5-litre, 3-litre and the 3.5-litre. There would be a 6-speed manual and also an 8 speed automatic on offer and the 4-series is also expected to get an M variant. The engines will get a start stop function and are expected to be efficient.