---
title: "Bavaria Announces its Unfortunate Grille Addiction with The BMW Concept 4"
description: "BMW debuts the Concept 4 with a truly ghastly grille."
date: "2019-09-10"
modified: "2019-09-10"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/29754/bavaria-announces-its-unfortunate-grille-addiction-with-the-bmw-concept-4"
categories:
  - "BMW News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "BMW"
  - "concept car"
---

# Bavaria Announces its Unfortunate Grille Addiction with The BMW Concept 4

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2019/09/P90364622_highRes-e1568139203442.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

At the Frankfurt Motor Show, [BMW](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/29742/bmw-dealer-tries-to-total-409000-mile-m5-guy-does-his-own-repairs-to-save-it>) has unveiled a preview of the next 4 Series. Aptly called the Concept 4, and unlike previous cars in its bloodline, this BMW coupe will look quite different from the 3er on which it's presumably based. Different, however, isn't always better.

While the [G20-generation 3 Series](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/25482/2019-bmw-3-series-review-bimmers-iconic-sport-sedan-is-no-longer-coasting-on-its-reputation>) remains a conservatively-styled sedan, its two-door counterpart will apparently be much less shy about its luxury-item status. As is immediately apparent—we're sorry for your corneas—the Concept 4 rocks an absolutely massive set of vertical kidney grilles that make the already cartoonishly large snouts on the 7 Series and [X7](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/27101/2019-bmw-x7-first-drive-review>) look almost tame in comparison and has undoubtedly been designed to appeal to buyers with, let's say, *less subtle* tastes.

![message-editor%2F1568139131669-p90364645\_highres.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1568139131669-p90364645_highres.jpg>)
**BMW AG**

We're sorry BMW, but we don't think there's any other way around this: the nose is ghastly. On the brighter side, some on the ground at Frankfurt are reporting that the Concept 4 is yet another one of those designs that works better in the flesh than in pictures. A sentiment likely shared by BMW's press photographer given that none of BMW's *official photos* show the car with its grille directly toward the camera, properly lit.

https://twitter.com/_/status/1171325983921770496

![message-editor%2F1568137863812-p90364626\_highres.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1568137863812-p90364626_highres.jpg>)
*Strategic lighting: the automotive equivalent of Snapchat's dog filter., *BMW AG**

On top of being big-as-hell, the grille itself is fashioned in a highly intricate chicken-wire design that actually contains a grid of tiny "4's".

The rest of the car, meanwhile, remains almost jarringly ordinary and quite attractive. From the front fenders onward, the car looks more than a little reminiscent of the [Infiniti Q60](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/26823/2019-infiniti-q60-red-sport-400-review-this-luxury-coupe-is-fast-stylish-and-flawed>) with details lifted off of BMW's own 8 Series, neither of which are what you'd call bad-looking cars.

Expect the 4 Series this will inevitably inspire to get followed up with Convertible and four-door Gran Coupe versions as well as a high-performance [M4 that'll reportedly keep its manual transmission option.](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/29143/next-gen-bmw-m3-m4-sports-cars-will-still-be-offered-with-manual-transmission-report>)

![message-editor%2F1568138925432-p90364643\_highres\_bmw-concept-4-09-201.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1568138925432-p90364643_highres_bmw-concept-4-09-201.jpg>)
*BMW AG*

![message-editor%2F1568139237200-p90364620\_highres.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1568139237200-p90364620_highres.jpg>)
*BMW AG*

![message-editor%2F1568139320429-p90364624\_highres.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1568139320429-p90364624_highres.jpg>)
*BMW AG*

![message-editor%2F1568139465828-p90364686\_highres\_bmw-concept-4-09-201.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1568139465828-p90364686_highres_bmw-concept-4-09-201.jpg>)
*This is what's known as the "hold my beer" moment., *BMW AG**

## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)