[GrussGott]

BMW 4 series / M4 - barely disguised prototype:

[Harold Wood]

Yes please

http://www.rogerlighternessart.co.uk/

[sherm]

A gran coupe M4 would look sick

[Dawko]

Looks more like a 2-er GC? It has dual outlet exhaust and not the quad M exhaust.

[OneRib]

It had always been said by BMW that the CF roof didn't play well with the hatch and there were some rigidity issues, but if they could make it work, seems like a no brainer.

Still don't think it offers enough of a styling improvement to make me jump from a future M3 purchase.

[mkoesel]

Intriguing. Not sure what that is, but I have doubts about an M4 GC.

Hard to even tell what size this car is from these pics. Could be a next generation UKL car.

[IEDEI]

looks like a 1er or 2er gran coupe. not bloated enough to be a 4

[Jockey]

Why?

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by Jockey

Why?

Money.

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: This 2014 BMW M6 Gran Coupe starts at $115,225. A Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG, which is arguable among the closest competitors, starts at $99,500. First points go to Mercedes. Let’s check the Audi S7 shall we? According to Audi’s site, an S7 is $82,500, while the RS 7 base is $106,500, so the RS basically splits the difference between the AMG and this M6 Gran Coupe. I’ve gone on long enough about how I think BMW has lost its mind on pricing. Even I’m getting tired of me talking about it. But seriously, the AMG is $16K less? That’s a no brainer…

...I wonder what the point is, other than BMW tacking on another $23,000 over the M5 base price.

http://autoweek.com/article/car-revi....NnOwxU81.dpuf

[Zeroblade]

I can't even argue what the heck that car is from that video/low quality shots. Though a M4 GC would indeed look sick. Having a four door M4 that has less back seat room than the M3 would make my head shake "hell no".

Agreed on the BMW pricing - it doesn't make sense.

Bonus: They did go on record they wouldn't build it... at the time...

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/07/04/b...not-happening/

[Seattle135is]

What's next - M3 GT?

[VMRWheels]

I'd actually like to see this. Not sure how popular it'd be though

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by Zeroblade

Bonus: They did go on record they wouldn't build it... at the time...

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/07/04/b...not-happening/

The quote is interestingly vague:

M GmbH sales chief Jörg Bartels told Cars Guide in Australia, "It was definitely considered, but there is no plan to build an M4 Gran Coupe." The sport sedan just wouldn't make financial sense, he said.

Maybe that's changed given demand for the M3/4 and the M6 GC which sounds pretty strong.

My guess is that the M3s are selling much stronger than forecast globally and if so maybe that's changed the equation. Falling petrol prices and a stronger dollar probably help too.

[Falafel Combo]

Lol! Definitely not any type of M car.

[bimmerj]

Can't get over the nose. Looks like a beak.

[myzmak]

Originally Posted by Seattle335

What's next - M3 GT?

oh. God.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

Money.

Right, but BMW priced the 4GC very close to the 3 sedan. In fact it's starting price is actually less than the standard 4 Series coupe by $1000 (in the US, and their prices are also similar elsewhere), rather than more as the 6GC is vs. the 6 coupe. This puts it within a couple grand of the sedan.

An M4 GC would necessarily follow the same pricing pattern vs. the existing F8x cars or they would not be able justify the premium.

[myzmak]

Originally Posted by GrussGott

The quote is interestingly vague:


Maybe that's changed given demand for the M3/4 and the M6 GC which sounds pretty strong.

My guess is that the M3s are selling much stronger than forecast globally and if so maybe that's changed the equation. Falling petrol prices and a stronger dollar probably help too.

I think those last 2 options are too recent for a car they had to start developing and planning 3 years ago......

But, yes, M3s are doing better than they thought. I'm not sure an M4GC makes any sense though as I would think a GC is too much of a GT car for where they want to position this car......

If they do go there, it will signal the planned handoff of the small/fast sports sedan/coupe to the M2. Which would be sad.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

An M4 GC would necessarily follow the same pricing pattern vs. the existing F8x cars or they would not be able justify the premium.

Originally Posted by myzmak

I'm not sure an M4GC makes any sense though as I would think a GC is too much of a GT car for where they want to position this car......

Seems like the product question is, does BMW think they're losing M3 sales to lesser margin models or to other brands and, if so, does a GC close that gap?

I've been following the M3 since the E9x's release and one thing I notice (maybe wrongly) is there is a LOT more "practical" talk this time (F8x release) than for the E9x release.

[GrussGott]

Some interesting competing product philosophy from BMW leads:

"We have lots of customers who really want to go into this four-door thing, but they still want to have the elegance and the beauty of a coupe," she said. "As long as this principle works, and we're doing something valid to the business on the one hand, on the other hand it's really [authentic], then there's nothing wrong in doing it."

Hildegard Wortmann, senior vice president for product management of automobiles and aftersales

"The M3 is an important brand that has heritage as a four-door car ... If we would now put an M4 Gran Coupe on the market—which would also have four doors—that would be most probably some substitution which doesn't make too much sense."

Carsten Pries, head of product management for BMW's M division.

[SCOTT26]

This is not a BMW. Its a Jaguar.

[GrussGott]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

This is not a BMW. Its a Jaguar.

Well. Case closed on that one I guess

Scott, any words of wisdom on an M4 performance power kit or the LCI? Thanks!