2020 BMW 4 Series grille is huge, the diffuser is fake and there’s no manual option.
The long-anticipated BMW 4 Series redesign is finally here and as expected, many BMW fans are not liking the drastic change at all.
If you have been keeping an eye on things you would know that these huge grilles were hinted at back in September of last year when BMW revealed the ‘Concept 4’ which closely resembled the production model we now have before us.
Here’s the production model (blue) alongside the concept (red).
Even though BMW stated the concept was 85% production-ready, there were plenty of optimistic BMW fans hoping that the huge new grille was part of the 15% that wasn’t production-ready.
The new BMW 4 Series is great in some ways and not so great in other ways. Not only has the grille design split opinions but then there’s also the case of the exaggerated exhaust tips, fake rear diffuser and interior that’s a copy and paste from the 3 Series. Oh, and it’s only available in automatic!
Why, exactly, did BMW redesign their iconic kidney grille which has been roughly the same size and shape for decades? Well, if you know about classic BMW cars then you will know that this elongated, more vertical design has existed before.
From BMWs in the 1930s, such as the famous 328 roadster, all the way up to Bimmers in the 60s, such as the BMW 3.0 CSL (E9) – all of the BMWs of this period had vertical kidney grille designs. The grille we now see on the new 4 Series is actually inspired by the tall grilles of the famous 328 roadster, as confirmed by the Bavarian automaker themselves.
That being said, there’s another reason for the change. You see, if this new 4 Series had the same refreshed grille that the new 3 Series has then the 4 Series would look too much like the new range-topping 8 Series, a car that costs easily double the amount with options.
Here’s the new 4 Series alongside the current 8 Series.
Interestingly, the head of design at BMW, Domagoj Dukec, said himself that they “didn’t want [the 4 Series] to look like a small 8 Series.”
Interestingly, he also mentioned that other cars in the BMW portfolio will not have this new grille, making it exclusive to the 4 Series line-up, including the upcoming electric ‘i4’.
“It’s not changing for all BMWs…We wanted to give [the 4 Series] a very particular kidney.”
The new design certainly has successfully differentiated it from the pack but at the cost of some backlash and ridicule. Of course, as with anything, you can’t please everyone and when making a bold move such as this, some disagreement is inevitable.
It’s certainly different and that means when people see one on the road they’ll point and stare. This 4 Series won’t go unnoticed, that’s for sure. The shock factor is already kicking in with every Bimmer fan in the world talking about it with their friends, which, in the end, will play in BMW’s favour.
As with most redesigns, the brave new look will likely grow on us. Looking back, the new Supra, BMW 7 Series, Aston Martin Vantage, Honda Civic Type R and even the Mazda MX-5 all took big leaps in design that upset a fair amount of people but in the end, they grow on us. Well…mostly.
Let us know what you think of the new 4 Series. Is it a certified stunner or is it “a face only a mother could love”?
If you enjoyed this, why not read about everything that’s wrong with the legendary Lamborghini Countach?
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