Rumorpile: BMW Coupe To Be Named 3 Series or 4 Series?

William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

October 24, 2011

A week ago, BMW did a big rollout for the next generation 3-Series starting with the sedan. Now spy shots have emerged of the coupe undergoing some testing.

Design wise, the coupe will share a family resemblance with the sedan. The coupe will have its headlights stretched inward to meet up with the grille, a lower intake that flares wide at each corner of the car, and share the same design cues for the trunk with the new 6-Series.

Engines will be same as the sedan with the choice of the between the new N20 2.0-liter turbo four, offering 240 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque for the 328i and N55 turbocharged 300-hp six-cylinder for the 335i. Transmissions on offer will be a six-speed manual and a eight-speed automatic.

The big question is whether the coupe will be named the 3-Series or the 4-Series. This rumor has been going on for the past year after reports came out saying BMW was looking towards a naming scheme wherein vehicles like sedans and wagons would have odd numbers while coupes and convertibles would use even numbers.

Whatever it’s called, we’ll see the coupe version sometime next year.

Source: Car & Driver

There was talk of this naming realignment when the current generation launched several years ago. I've seen a couple articles this past weekend in UK mags online sites that claimed it was definite...the sedan, GT (5dr hatch) and wagon would be branded as 3-series and the coupe and convertible would be the 4-series. Likewise, there will be an M3 and an M4..

cause spreading your branding thinner over the same number of cars is a good thing.....

I've also read that the next gen 1 series will likely split into a 1- and 2-, with the 2 series being the coupe and convertible and the 1-series being a FWD 3- and 5-dr compact, thus solving the 0-series quandry.

There was talk of this naming realignment when the current generation launched several years ago. I've seen a couple articles this past weekend in UK mags online sites that claimed it was definite...the sedan, GT (5dr hatch) and wagon would be branded as 3-series and the coupe and convertible would be the 4-series. Likewise, there will be an M3 and an M4..

It extends even farther then that. A couple UK sites say BMW ponder this during the E46 generation, but was thrown into the garbage.

There is a certain logic to it..Audi does it with the A4/A5, as does BMW w/ the 5/6... Make the sedans and coupes related but distinct.

Edited October 24, 201114 yr by Cubical-aka-Moltar

OMG, who gives a tin sh!t. More meaningless alpha-numerics twisting in the wind.

Really a dumb move the 3 series has the cachet a model name change dilutes the name pool where as a coupe indicator is just an identifier ie 335iC or as a sedan 335iS. Toyo did the same with the Camray/Solara at least the Solara had a different skin. Chevy did it for a different reason with Impala/Monte Carlo that being heritage. If the name is new and doesn't mean anything to the public then don't split body styles into different models unless the name is damaged.

OMG, who gives a tin sh!t. More meaningless alpha-numerics twisting in the wind.

Because names like "Cruze," "Verano," "Sonic," and "Spark" are so meaningful.

I do wish BMW's numbering scheme would be rational again...the new 328 really should be 320, since it has a 2.0L engine. The numbering is no longer rational.

OMG, who gives a tin sh!t. More meaningless alpha-numerics twisting in the wind.

Because names like "Cruze," "Verano," "Sonic," and "Spark" are so meaningful.

Wut? you know what '3' or '2' signifies but make no association from 'Sonic' or 'Spark' ?

OMG, who gives a tin sh!t. More meaningless alpha-numerics twisting in the wind.

Because names like "Cruze," "Verano," "Sonic," and "Spark" are so meaningful.

Wut? you know what '3' or '2' signifies but make no association from 'Sonic' or 'Spark' ?

Well, the 3-series has decades of brand recognition...while Sonic and Spark are new names for disposable appliances...given GM's track record w/ compact and subcompact car names, they will probably be renamed for the next generation versions..

Anyway, going to a 4-series for 2drs while a logical move, is risky given the long history of 3-series 2drs.

Edited October 28, 201114 yr by Cubical-aka-Moltar

"given GM's track record w/ compact and subcompact car names, they will probably be renamed for the next generation versions.."

Yeah Caviler and Sunfire names didn't last long at all

"given GM's track record w/ compact and subcompact car names, they will probably be renamed for the next generation versions.."

Yeah Caviler and Sunfire names didn't last long at all

Well, Cobalt was one and done.

Aveo (unfortunately) had two generations.

I think they should have kept Cobalt.

cause spreading your branding thinner over the same number of cars is a good thing.....

It works (not) for MINI...

Aveo (unfortunately) had two generations.

I think they should have kept Cobalt.

Cobalt is an under-rated car.

...and the name should have been kept...

I also thought Chevy should've stuck with Cobalt...