[Law]

I will say there's aspects to the design that are positive, or at least, exceeded my expectations.
Still, I can't say I'm a fan.
I find the overall design to be very uninspiring and an emulation of the overall segment/industry.
Sadly, there are elements of BMW design that have been watered-down in the G22 such as the Hofmeister Kink.
It's bold in the sense that it has sacrificed (or re-interpreted) key BMW elements but only time will tell if this was a Bangle moment (i.e., E85/E86 Z4) or an E46 Compact moment.

Based on the video where Klaus Fröhlich drives the car, the side-profile actually looks better "in the flesh" than in the studio shots.
The sharp character-line that runs from the front fender vent to the widened quarter panels is particularly defined and crisp, which gives a very purposeful yet simple statement of character.
I like that they didn't overcomplicate that part of the car with multiple contours and twisting this and bending that. It's simple & effective.
The side skirts are also very well done.


The tragedy is that it leads up to a Hofmeister Kink that is arguably unrecognizable as a Hofmeister Kink.
In the video that attempts to tie the G22 to its spiritual forebearers, the 'DNA' portion of the video highlights the new quarter window design.
I won't go so far as to say there is influence from Lexus or Mercedes, but the reinterpretation of design by BMW here has definitely played-down the significance or prevalence of the Hofmeister Kink.
While still technically different from its competitors, the quarter window design doesn't exactly scream "BMW" silhouette like in the past.
And perhaps that was intended with this new 4er, as it sounds like they really wanted to give it its own independent identity, particularly from the 3er.


And then the Kidney Grilles...a topic beaten to death, yes.
Only time will tell if this is truly a design that connects with the E9, 328, etc.
But right now, it still looks disproportional and feels no more inspired by the 328's grilles than the X2's BMW roundel badges on the rear quarter are by the E9 coupe.
I particularly loathe that fact that the hood line from the F-chassis cars that was finally rectified with the G20 & G30 has returned on the G22 to accommodate the oversized vertical grilles.

Finally, the lights. The tail light design, like the Hofmeister Kink, has been watered-down. It's feminine and elegant and wavy, the opposite of 'athletic' or aggressive.
But this was already a BMW trend as of late and was expected so what can you do (same goes for the fake exhaust tips on the 6-cyl models).
The headlights aren't particularly good or bad, they're just rather uninteresting.
It's a bit disappointing that the closed-circular rings have been replaced slowly by open & organic lines that barely resemble the "quad [circular] headlight" look of BMWs past, but that's just me being nostalgic.

Overall, we all knew this was coming.
Again, am I a fan? No, but this is the direction that BMW intends to go.
I can't say it's ugly as a design for a car (it does look more like a car of tomorrow than of yesterday), but it's also uninspiring in many ways.
Only time will tell. It'll be interesting to see how many people jump ship and/or end up praising the design, especially once the G8x and LCI drop.

[SchwarzerReiter]

Originally Posted by phoenixbmwlife

Although not perfect this render on top looks 20 times better.

Is this BMW Blog site some kind of sellout for BMW? I opened it up and saw an article comparing the new 4 to the A5 and declaring the 4 the winner on all fronts. Looks are subjective and you're free to say what you want, but they're presenting it as a factual thing. "The 4 series looks better and you must like it".

Who are these people? My blood is boiling after that sellout piece.

[KevinM]

The Good: Useful performance
The Bad: No MT option
The Ugly: The rest of it

Well, that is pretty harsh. I need to see one in person. I keep going back and forth between appreciating that someone had the guts to do something different and the sinking feeling that the "something different" was to graft a busy front end on a generic Japanese coupe design.

[bjcarls]

So much hate.

I don't know why but I love the design. I think it looks so good and refreshing. The only thing I hate to see is a 4,000lb curb weight on the 440i. Ugh. That means the M4 is going to be a few above that with the additional coolers and such. Maybe that's why they are doing a rwd version.

[Game]

[Al Bundy's Dodge]

I think the damn hood line bothers me more than the snout grille

Otherwise, I don't dislike it as much as I thought I would. Looking forward to seeing in person. Not that I'll buy one because no MT and all, but still happy to see new bimmers on the road

[SchwarzerReiter]

[Omar81]

The thing that I hate the most is the absence of a real hofmeister kink. This new element sucked since it first appeared on the X4, then on the 8 and now finally in the 4. Terrible design.

[10"]

Never seen a BMW so miserable

[TTG]

Is this the ugliest BMW ever?

And yet another media screw up by BMW..... I for a sec got excited thinking that all 4 windows will actually roll down based on this picture.

[J-RO]

Originally Posted by SchwarzerReiter

So the opinions dont matter? Why pay any designers then? People dont need to like the design, just draw a couple of lines on a piece of paper and that's that.

What an arrogant answer.

I guess they are like politicians. They don't listen to the people either.

[SchwarzerReiter]

Remember all these banterous videos that BMW, Audi, Mercedes and Porsche make about each other all the time? If 2020 wasnt so shitty (so that such a video wouldnt come off as incensitive with everything going on right now), it would be great if Merc or Audi made a video thanking the head of design of BMW.

"From the deepest depths of our hearts, thank you Mr. Dukec. From the makers of the new C Class Coupe, the pretty alternative!"

[NorCalAthlete]

Originally Posted by TTG

Is this the ugliest BMW ever?

And yet another media screw up by BMW..... I for a sec got excited thinking that all 4 windows will actually roll down based on this picture.

Good catch, I missed that.

[Rewted]

I've mixed feelings, but still excited to see the M4.

[phoenixbmwlife]

Originally Posted by SchwarzerReiter

Remember all these banterous videos that BMW, Audi, Mercedes and Porsche make about each other all the time? If 2020 wasnt so shitty (so that such a video wouldnt come off as incensitive with everything going on right now), it would be great if Merc or Audi made a video thanking the head of design of BMW.

Lol. 2021 is 6 months away. They still have time to make that video next year.

[CachacoF80]

The escalator effect on the grille is next level.

[pz619]

Wow....

They really massacred this car. Typically you get the coupe because it looks better. That grill is hilariously bad. Let's hope that IND or some other aftermarket company can fix this dumpster fire of a front end. Real shame as the rest of the car isn't half bad at all.

[TTG]

Originally Posted by NorCalAthlete

Good catch, I missed that.

Also the white car in the picture does not have front fog lights but the picture clearly shows a fog light button. Front and rear.

[ASAP]

3977 lbs lol... what in gods name

[Mollyran]

Any plans for M440i RWD? I am actully thinking about the next the 2 series coupe and hope to see a ream M235i and not just xDrive version.

[BwoodBMW]

Originally Posted by ASAP

3977 lbs lol... what in gods name

And 5+ inches longer... stupid to keep growing these cars by that much.

[WWM3]

Originally Posted by Frosty

Why would the physical dimensions of the car impact your transmission choice?

The heavier and bigger a car means the less I believe I can find enjoyment from utilizing a manual transmission. It only occurred to me when I drove a 6MT F10. It didn't feel right. Others may feel differently.