4 Series concept true to BMW values
But Montreal-born concept designer says ‘it’s a car we’ll be driving pretty soon’
DETROIT, MICH. — BMW proudly showed off one of its latest designs during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The 4 Series Coupe took a prominent place in the BMW display at the Cobo Center, its silvery paint shining under the spotlights.
And there is a Montreal connection to this new vehicle as its design was overseen by Karim Habib, the head of BMW Design who grew up in this city after being born in Lebanon.
He sat down with The Gazette at the NAIAS to discuss several topics, including the new 4 Series and what it means to BMW.
“Obviously, the 4 Series concept we are showing (in Detroit) is a very important car for us because it is the first time we are presenting a new number, opening up a new product segment for BMW,” Habib said.
While several BMW officials were mum on when and if this 4 Series concept would be produced, Habib seemed fairly certain it would.
“It’s a car we’ll be driving pretty soon,” he said at the BMW display in Detroit. “It’s a concept, but it is very close to production.”
He discussed the 4 Series design at length, highlighting what he thinks are keys to BMW moving forward.
“The detail work, and what is happening with the tail lamps and headlamps, there is a lot of things I feel are very important to BMW design.”
He says the 4 Series is a step in the evolution of design at the German brand, adding that he is very happy with the results.
“Getting better and perfecting things is very important to BMW,” he said.
That is an important process given how quickly things change in today’s automotive market and how much design elements are copied from one brand to the next.
“Our main focus is first to always be authentic and always be true to our values,” he said, noting that the values are changing.
“The technology is changing, so we have to change.”
The changes in technology and an improvement in materials such as steel have a big impact on the job done by Habib and his team of designers.
“If you look at the 4 Series, we have much thicker daytime running lights. That is because we can now, technologically,” he said. “Our role within the company as designers is to use that technology to push further and take those brand values where they haven’t been before.”
He stresses that at BMW, design and function go hand in hand.
Still talking about the 4 Series, Habib says it is a design he is fond of, especially its proportions.
“If you look at that car, it’s lower, wider, longer than today’s 3 Series Coupe. And it’s not just design. It’s design and engineering; we work together and that is something I am very, very proud of.”
Detroit also marked the unveiling of the BMW M6 Grand Coupe, and when he talked about this M car, the calm and measured Habib lit up.
“The first thing I am looking forward to is driving it. I have to bug my colleagues at M because that has not happened yet,” Habib said of the powerful sedan that will have 560 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque from a 4.4-litre twin turbocharged V8 engine.
While BMW was coy on the 4 Series, there is no doubt consumers will see the M6 at dealers sometime early this year.
“It’s a car I love because it is like BMW values to the max,” Habib said, adding that he believes the M6 is the flagship vehicle for the entire BMW brand.
“It is pure sportiness and pure elegance concentrated in one package. It’s not a small car, obviously, but it looks really good.”