We Hear: BMW 4 Series Cars Could See Big Price Bump Over Current 3 Series Models

The current-generation BMW 3 Series coupe is at the end of an era: when the new coupe goes on sale it will be rechristened the 4 Series coupe and joined by a convertible model and the four-door 4 Series Gran Coupe. A new Automobile report gives us a better idea of how BMW will organize the greatly expanded 3 Series/4 Series lineup as well as details about the upcoming BMW M4 coupe.

The new report supports earlier speculation that BMW 3 Series variants such as the coupe, hardtop convertible, and Gran Coupe will receive 4 Series nomenclature while sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons will carry on with 3 Series names. With the new naming system, BMW could charge a greater premium for the new cars. Currently, a BMW 328i coupe starts about $2300 more than the 328i sedan, but that gap could grow to nearly $5000 when the new 4 Series models arrive, a pricing structure that would mimic that of the Audi A4 sedan and A5 coupe. The Gran Coupe could potentially add another $4500 to the price of the coupe, while the retractable-hardtop convertible – a car that’s said to have a more compact folding mechanism – could add the difference once more.

While the new 4 Series coupe is expected to share the 3 Series sedan’s wheelbase, the 4 Series Gran Coupe will share the 3 Series GT hatchback’s longer wheelbase to allow for a swooping design with a steeply raked windshield and unique bodywork. The M3 badge will return for the M-tuned 3 Series sedan, while the two-door M cars and a potential Gran Coupe variant will be given M4 badges.

A 3.0-liter inline-six cylinder engine with as many as three turbochargers will replace the current M3’s naturally-aspirated V-8, which makes 414 hp in U.S.-spec form. The new engine is expected to produce similar horsepower and will continue to be mated to a six-speed manual transmission as well as a new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic. M cars will also utilize aluminum body panels and carbon fiber brakes to lower curb weight below 3300 pounds in an effort to increase performance. We’ve tested a 2011 BMW M3 weighing in at 3576 pounds. Dedicated M Performance models – like the BMW 335is – may also be in the works.

The BMW 4 Series coupe and convertible will go on sale in Europe early in 2013 while the report suggests the 3 Series GT will reach dealers in September 2013 and spring 2014 for the 4 Series Gran Coupe, though U.S. dates could be a bit later. Read the full Automobile report here.

Source: Automobile