Here are the coupe renditions. I wonder if BMW will be tweaking the new E92 coupe to be a little closer in 0-60 to the IS350 or just wait till the 335ic introduction in 07?



What do you guys think about the looks of each vehicle in coupe form?

 

I don't think the BMW rendering gives it justice. It'll probably look quite a bit better than that. And unfortunately, I kind of doubt they'll implement the tri-exhaust on the IS (that isn't the best Photoshop job of it either). So this is not a real good basis for comparison.

That aside, you shed light on something that many will undoubtedly be curious about... including me. I'm interested to see how the 3 coupe actually will look... I think the sedans look great, (better than the IS Sedan, IMO) but it's translation into coupe form may not carry the same impact. The IS—as the rendering illustrates—naturally morphs into an attractive coupe form, albeit a little boringly.

 

I, too, don't think the tri-exhaust will make it (it removes the possibility of ground effect kit). I also think the styling will be more different than just removing two doors (like G35C is to G35 sedan). Personally I think BMW has taken a step backward with the styling of the current 3 series (both interior and exterior)--esp those generic rear brake lights that look like they were ripped from a Korean econo car. Audi does a better job with its brake lights (if you can stomach the hideous snout).

 

330 C i The "C" designates a coupe.

Just being ****/nitpicky.

 

Here's the actual car being tested:

I don't know, but something about it that makes it look too ordinary. It's not as exciting as in 2000 when the 323Ci came out. That car especially in black was sharp.

 

That spyshot is fugly. What is up with those enormous side windows in the back? Reminds me of a hearse.

 

Looks like an early test mule - probably trying to make it look like a sedan with those big back windows (I sure hope so anyway). Plus, if you look closely, that is a hard top convertible, you can see the seam lines at the header and behind the rear glass, plus two more in front and behind center of the rear window. I bet a true coupe would be a bit different.

The new Z4 coupe ended up looking much better than the Z4 convertible and old Z3 coupe (IMO), so I would guess the new E92 might carry some hints of the the Z4 coupe plus some 6-series (probably in the trunk). But Bangle and crew at BMW are very difficult to predict.

I heard BMW isn't going to do a hard top convertible (takes up too much truck and is too heavy). But that sure looks like one. If the IS comes out with a drop top, I wonder if they'll follow suit (and add a little more trunk than the SC) or go with the fabric top.

 

That's not the coupe version, that's the hard-top convertible. I'd imagine the coupe may have smaller rear windows.

 

are they going to have the coupe IS???

 

Yes! If I recall correctly there MAY be a preview of it at the Detroit Auto Show next month.

 

Here is the Z4 coupe, in case people haven't seen it (I hadn't seen it until just now - didn't even know it was planned). It still has kind of big rear windows IMHO.

 

Although not as bad as this one. Yuck!

 

yep i think those are so fugly-

 

Here are other shots to give us a better idea of the final product:

 

Nice find. I almost always like the coupes over the 4-doors. Looks pretty solid. Of course the new M3 will be the one to watch for!