(December 6, 2012) In a bold move to take the iconic 3-Series upscale, BMW has announced that it is spinning off its 3-Series coupe and convertible into a new category, the 4-Series. The sedan will remain a 3-Series. BMW will show a new 4-Series concept coupe at the Detroit Auto Show, and expect the production coupe to go on sale in mid-2013.

It should closely resemble the concept car. The new coupe and convertible — which will go on sale late in 2013 — will be joined by the X4 crossover that will begin production in Spartanburg, S.C., late next year and will hit showrooms in early 2014. The company will continue to build the Z4 roadster.

BMW has released photos of the concept 4-series coupe (pictured above), but did not provide additional production or price details.



The future two-door is longer, wider and lower than the outgoing 3-series coupe. It also rides on a larger chassis than the model it replaces, with the wheelbase extended by about two inches and the front and rear tracks increased as well. BMW said the new chassis helps improve interior packaging and room.

The 4 series — developed under the internal codename F32 — is based on the same high strength steel platform structure and uses the same aluminum intensive underpinnings as the latest 3-series sedan.

Alongside standard rear-wheel drive models, BMW plans to offer selected all-wheel drive xDrive versions of the coupe.

BMW has not disclosed the engine lineup for the new 4 series line.

The 3-Series is the top-selling luxury nameplate worldwide with 2011 sales of 382,218 — or 28 percent of the BMW brand's sales of 1.38 million, according to IHS Automotive and the company.

The coupe and convertible each accounted for 15 percent — or about 14,000 units apiece — of the 3 series' U.S. sales of 94,371 last year, BMW said.

Through November, U.S. sales of the 3 series have increased 4 percent, to 88,857. U.S. sales of the 3 series peaked at 142,490 in 2007.

Sources: BMW, Automotive News