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• BMW's new 4 Series has sparked much reaction
• The massive kidney grille is the most controversial feature
• Designers need to incorporate safety features with design
BMW's second-generation 4 Series must rank as the most polarizing new car reveal of 2020.
Teaser images had prepared us for the enormous vertical grille kidneys, but for some, the shock of this new BMW coupe has been too great.
Talk is of early 2000s Bangleism having returned to BMW, with designs which are too radical and have little resemblance to the brand's storied history. Upon reflection, that would not appear to be the case.
There is no question that BMW's 4 Series is not trying to be an Audi A5 clone, which is its natural rival. Its daring appearance and intrepid grille could be considered a pure shock tactic, but is there be something more significant at play, motivating this latest BMW design?
Image: BMW
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It has real BMW roots
The 4 Series configuration is typical BMW. It has a rear-wheel drive biased architecture. The selection of four- and six-cylinder engines remain (mercifully) longitudinal instead of transverse in their mounting orientation, above the front axle. Its core BMW engineering values are indisputable.
Where the 4 Series can claim even stronger BMW lineage, is with regards to its most controversial feature: that controversial grille. The company's original 328 (no, not the E36 of your teenage dreams), had a similar grille design.
One of the most elegant cars ever, BMW's classic 328 was built between 1936 and 1940. It was spectacularly light, at only 830kg, and powered by a 2-litre inline six-cylinder engine. The new 4 Series is clearly paying homage to this icon of BMW design with its oversized grille.
Perhaps the 328 is too much of a memory for most. To many BMW followers, the brand's first-generation 8 Series is considered its most complete and sleek coupe. Much of the 8 Series design appeal, was due to its tiny grille, made possible by pop-up headlights, which allowed for a low-profile bonnet.
Modern crash safety standards don't allow for low-profile designs such as the original 8 Series, with its low bonnet. BMW's current coupe designers face the challenges of the larger frontal area and a bonnet shape dictated by pedestrian crash safety requirements. Expected the minimalist grille profile of an original 8 Series or Z1 on any modern BMW coupe, is unreasonable.
Image: BMW
Competing with crossovers
At a time when BMW has transitioned the 1 Series to front-wheel drive and is producing more SUVs and crossovers than ever, the new 4 Series should be celebrated.
It has an audacious design in the classic BMW coupe tradition, with authentic brand DNA, delivering those proven power- and drivetrain configurations that BMW followers have always cherished.
With longitudinal engines, rear-wheel drive and a distinctively sloping roofline the new 4 Series is a proper BMW touring car.
Coupes face fierce competition from crossovers in the luxury car market of 2020 and product planners were aware that the 4 Series simply being a great driver's car, would prove insufficient. It had to look dramatic too, capable of rivalling a crossover for presence, to attract a new audience of buyers.
Disclaimer: Wheels24 encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views of contributors/columnists published on Wheels24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24 or Wheels24.
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