No, the 4 Series’ huge grille won’t proliferate across BMW’s lineup

Probably the most controversial aspect of the new BMW 4 Series is its design – especially the oversized kidney grille. But BMW designers say this won’t be the brand’s new face. Instead, it will be specific to the family of 4.

“It won’t change for all BMWs,” Domagoj Dukec, the company’s design manager, told Roadshow in a web conference on Tuesday. “We wanted to give [the 4 Series] a very special kidney. “

Dukec believes that the large kidney grill “is the right character for this car” and that the design team “didn’t want to” [the 4 Series] look like a little 8’s. “Naturally the new 430i and M440i models are somewhat similar to the larger 8 Series Coupé, but really only in the roof line.

The 4 communicates its architecture the upcoming i4 EVwho also uses this oversized grille design. There it at least plays a functional role since the various cameras and sensors of the i4 can be integrated into the grille plates. The same applies to the 4-series coupé: the driver assistance hardware can be neatly accommodated in the radiator grille and offers space for future technologies.

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2021 BMW 4 Series: More than just a huge grille

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Overall, the goal here was to really set the 4 Series apart from other vehicles, especially the 3 Series Sedan on which it is based. Dukec said coupe buyers “are looking for more show-off” design language, and the company is looking for “a front end that expresses this unique character.”

However, when you open the door, the cabin of the 4 Series is almost identical to that of the 3 Series, except for a few small details and color options. Dukec said this was also intended.

“The exterior is closer to a product,” he said. “It’s like your clothes … it really has to show what you want to say or what you want to be.” The cabin is “more for ergonomics”, and for this purpose Dukec said that you therefore see many similarities with the interior design in all BMW product lines.

Nevertheless, Dukec knows that the design of the 4 Series is polarizing. “It’s not for everyone,” he said. Ultimately, regardless of personal opinion, Dukec said BMW’s goal was to design a car that really stood out. “It’s not about beauty or ugliness. … A successful design is when it is unmistakable.”