Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

BMW 4 Series cabrio caught with its top down

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-4...photo-5017196/

BMW did quite a bit to differentiate the new 3 Series from the old one, but arguably the biggest development in that department is the splitting of the model line. Because the new 3 Series is only the sedan and wagon. The coupe and cabrio are branching off as the 4 Series, similar to the 6 Series (as distinct from the 5 Series), the old 8 Series (separate from the 7 Series) and what's expected to emerge of the 2 Series from the new 1 Series.

Following earlier spy shots of the 4 Series convertible with its roof up in the rain and in the snow, this is our first look at the upcoming new model being driven the way it's meant to be driven: with its top down and the sun shining.

Unfortunately our view is a little obscured by all the swirly camouflage, so we'll have to wait until its anticipated debut sometime next year to see the whole package

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/10/b...-its-top-down/

GiantsFan

iTrader: (9)

IMO they shouldn't change the name... The 3 series is such an iconic car and has a lot of history.

LexFather

With the name split how will it change marketing since the 3 series is usually the best seller. Without the coupes that might hurt it where it can no longer brag on that.

Benz seems to be doing the opposite of BMW/Audi by keeping the name together and even losing names. C-class, E class coupes.....no more CLK...

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

At this point the main thing is not changing the 3-series name for the Iconic sedan. If they want to make the coupe/vert into the 4-series might as well. Coincides with the 5/6 series

UberNoob

so by BMW's idiotic logic
whats next?

4 series grand turismo?
4 series shooting brake concept?

lol...
they are trying to match MB's CLS, CLC... etc
but the problem is MB just killed CL to make the E-Coupe and also came out with the C-Coupe

things are going to be hard to compare from now on for those who arent familiar with everyone's line-ups...

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

A name is a name. At least BMW and their peers have full line-ups. Something that Cadillac (more so) and Lincoln need to offer. No coupes, verts, questionable sedan positioning. Hopefully Jaguar will come out with a baby 3-series competitor

adamls2

BMW may be expanding too much if you ask me...

UDel

So BMW is changing the name of the 3 series coupe to the 4 series yet they still keep the 328 label for the new turbo 4 cylinder because "328" name has so much recognition Shouldn't it be labeled 320t or 320i since it is a turbo charged 2 liter engine?

If they are going to give the 3 series coupe a totally different name and promote it as a 4 series then it should have its own unique look and styling and not share much in common with the 3 series. It would be nice if the 4 series was wider with a low slung look like the 6 series but from that spy shot it looks basically like every other 3 series which is more of a 2 door 3 series sedan with just some differences. The 6 series coupe is very different from the 5 series aside from maybe the front grill area, it has its own look and styling that separates it from a 5 series sedan so a 6 series label is justified. I am not seeing unique styling from the 4 series concepts to justify changing the name from a very recognizable and respected name, it could hurt sales, confuse buyers, and hurt it legacy. Buyers will be expecting more differentiation from a 3 series sedan or what used to be a 3 series coupe if they are buying a 4 series and most likely paying more money then they would for a 3 series coupe.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

BMW 2 Series coming in 2014

CAR magazine reports BMW is hard at work on crafting the next-generation 1 Series Convertible. When it bows, the machine is expected to carry with it an all-new nomenclature, doing away with the 1 badge in favor of a new 2 Series emblem. This isn't the first time we've heard of BMW filling in its model line with both 2 and 4 Series models, nor the first hint that the 1 Series Convertible will be reborn as the 2 Series. CAR does supply a few more details however, stating that the 1 and 2 will be separated largely by a few sheetmetal tweaks. That means we can expect to see more or less the same engine options behind the headlights.

Why bother changing the naming structure at all? According to CAR, BMW is attempting to get its fleet more inline with those of Audi and Mercedes-Benz, which use a hierarchical structure to differentiate less premium models from pricier hardware. The report suggests buyers can expect to see the new 2 starting in 2014, complete with a six-speed manual transmission or an optional eight-speed automatic gearbox.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/11/b...oming-in-2014/

ecr527

So does this mean we'll be seeing a M4? There's too much equity in the M3 name to change it.

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

Well, they pretty much covered all the numbers now:
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8

RXSF

lol with the number scheme, they cant have more than 9 non suv models. somebody didnt think this through

cino

iTrader: (1)

Yes, that's what they need to most., confusing people.
The only thing they need to do next is to make all cars look the same.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/bmw-4...photo-6083899/

Mr. Burns

*Yawn.*

Still rehashing the same design language from 8 years ago.