[The Automotive Enthusiast]

By: Jeff Perez

Today BMW pulled the cover off its long-waited 4 Series Coupe. And while the two-door boasts a new mild-hybrid powertrain and the latest and greatest in safety and technology, people can't stop talking about the car's massive dual kidney grilles. But the good news is, those openings probably won't make their way to other BMW models – at least, not yet.

We spoke with Head of BMW Design, Domagoj Dukec, who told us that the new 4 Series' so-called "vertical kidneys" are unique to this vehicle, and this vehicle alone. "Inside the company, we felt that [the vertical kidneys] was the right character for the car," Dukec notes, "and design is not always about beauty or ugliness, good design is about having a daring character."

"Customers are getting demanding because the market is saturated with good products, so you have to stand out. And as the needs of our customers are so different individually, we want to give each customer a different product."

The BMW 4 Series Coupe certainly stands out from the rest of the lineup. The front fascia of its 3 Series sibling isn't nearly as polarizing, nor is the latest 5 Series, which has a much subtler set of kidneys. And neither of those vehicles will adopt the 4's massive teeth anytime soon.

"We don't want to have any detail repeating on a model, because every model should have a unique character," he notes. "Cars like the 3 Series and 5 Series will keep more horizontal kidneys, and we really enjoy using the kidneys in different ways." But there is a small glimmer of hope for all you extra-large kidney fans out there; Dukec says "maybe there will be more vertical kidneys in the future, but right now it is currently not changing for all BMWs."

Buyers that do want bigger kidneys can pick up the 2021 BMW 4 Series Coupe from dealerships beginning in October. The base 430i model wields a turbocharged 2.0-liter good 255 horsepower (190 kilowatts) and 294 pound-feet (399 newton-meters), while the M440i gets the new inline-six mild-hybrid, which is good for 382 hp (285 kW) and 369 lb-ft (500 nm). The new 4 Series starts at $45,600, with the M440i asking $58,500.

https://www.motor1.com/news/426602/b...y1UUka2zW_Poxs

[Game]

So maybe the M3 will be saved after all....

[SteveinArizona]

There are extra large kidney grill fans out there? Really? Where are they hiding, under the bushes?

And in the case of the new 4 series kidney grills, they are about ugliness, not beauty and not daring.

At least there is a glimmer of hope that on other cars these will disappear. We will have to see what the terrible design director does with those.

[OF Hero]

I mean... wasn't it all but confirmed that the new M3/4 would share the front end?

[Dking078]

My mind: "We were so far into design and the master molds were already done/staged, so we wont do THAT again"

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by OF Hero

I mean... wasn't it all but confirmed that the new M3/4 would share the front end?

Yes, take it to the bank.

The author of the article could have chosen his words more carefully. Perhaps “all” instead of “other”. The iNext is another upcoming model that will feature a tall grill.

[Drj161]

Come on. Unless something changes, we all know SCOTT26 confirmed the large grill. we even saw the leaked photos. when they say it won't be on other models they mean it won't be on the normal 3 or 5s. that's it. I hate the big grills but there is no debate, the g8x will have the large snout.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by OF Hero

I mean... wasn't it all but confirmed that the new M3/4 would share the front end?

Yep. Author should have worded it a bit differently.

[xlover]

We have to remember that bmw deals with future models like they basically don't exist. When they say "right now"... they literally mean right now. Just add a foot note 'on any existing car that has not been introduced today but reserve the right to do whatever with new ones' and re read the article

[themnmd]

🤔humm

[mathys]

" design is not always about beauty or ugliness, good design is about having a daring character"

Ehm no, just no.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by Drj161

Come on. Unless something changes, we all know SCOTT26 confirmed the large grill. we even saw the leaked photos. when they say it won't be on other models they mean it won't be on the normal 3 or 5s. that's it. I hate the big grills but there is no debate, the g8x will have the large snout.

They misused the quote. It won't appear on ALL models.

[-EndOfAnEra-]

Warning and apologies for some non-BMW content!

BMW wanted to make the 4-series distinct from the 3-series. Why couldn't they have done that AND keep the car classically beautiful? Mercedes' rival C43 sedan and coupe are obviously cut from the same cloth but are different enough that they look like two different cars!







BMW succeeded in making the two distinct at last, but it just doesn't work as well to me...although I am loving Arctic Race Blue!

[mbanck]

Originally Posted by -EndOfAnEra-

Warning and apologies for some non-BMW content!

BMW wanted to make the 4-series distinct from the 3-series. Why couldn't they have done that AND keep the car classically beautiful? Mercedes' rival C43 sedan and coupe are obviously cut from the same cloth but are different enough that they look like two different cars!

I don't see a difference there in the front, assuming they'd show up in my lane in the rear-view mirror, i.e. head-on.

What's worse, I still haven't figured out from looking at the front *or* back whether I'm looking at a C or E class sedan. I think I can at least tell the S classes apart from them now (at least from the back).

[stein_325i]

Originally Posted by mbanck

I don't see a difference there in the front, assuming they'd show up in my lane in the rear-view mirror, i.e. head-on.

What's worse, I still haven't figured out from looking at the front *or* back whether I'm looking at a C or E class sedan. I think I can at least tell the S classes apart from them now (at least from the back).

Good for C-class owners in that their vehicles will be mistaken for something more expensive, although not so good for E-class owners Still, I'll take can't tell the difference between C and E over the 4-series' buckteeth every time.

[KoenG]

I start to associate BMW with a jack of all trades, master of none.

They were always loyal to their principle, they have ditched all those overboard already. And when they already have offended thousands of first time enthousiasts, they got arrogant on their design.

They were aware of the push back on these fugly grills, they pushed it true with their arrogance making them believe that they dictate what's good and bad design on us. Now they seem to twist this: design is not about beauty, it's about being different. LMFAO!

[Jostack]

Very disappointing if they don't bring big grills to the other models. I get a kick of everyone freaking out about it. Extreme hyperbole at its finest. The comments are almost as exaggerated as the size of the grills. Keep it coming!

[davesaddiction]

Please, please, please not the M3...

It’s not too late to change course!!

[SteveinArizona]

Time for a rhinoplasty

[TireFire]

For the first time in a few decades i don't lust after a new BMW. I know it's a love hate thing but that front end is so ugly i just can't even fathom driving it. I hope they are paying attention, this has to be the most negative press any of their designs have gotten in a long time.

[Karmic Man]

https://www.autoblog.com/2020/06/02/...usauto00000015

[praxis218]

Originally Posted by Karmic Man

https://www.autoblog.com/2020/06/02/...usauto00000015

This is one of the cars that I really need to see for myself in real life.

Too bad most of the auto shows have been canceled this year.