Minutes after the first pictures of the new BMW 4 Series Coupe hit the web the Bavarian company took the matters into their hand and officially unveiled the car. I know, I know, it doesn’t look very good in the pictures – everybody is saying that. But we have to wait and see it in the flesh before judging it.

That’s the thing with new BMWs. They look much nicer in person than they do in any picture or video. The 4 Series is a world apart from the 3 Series Coupe from the E90 series that it replaces. In profile, it appears to be inspired by the current 6 Series. That’s why it looks a bit fat.

Size-wise, the wheelbase (2,810 mm) is 50 millimetres longer than that of the existing 3 Series Coupe, while 45 mm has been added to the front track (1,545 mm) and 80 mm to the rear track (1,593 mm). BMW Concept 4 Series Coupe is 44 mm wider (1,826 mm) and 16 mm lower (1,362 mm) than the old car.

At the front it uses the same sort of headlights as the 3 Series, but with new LEDs up top like eyebrows. The concept car also has large chrome-accented bumpers front and rear, as well as chrome gills, none of which will make it into the final production version.

There is nothing unreal about the car’s interior though. It is typical 3 Series, garnished with some extras like cool leather upholstery and posh trims. So save a few minor details, this is the production 4 Series Coupe. Later on it will spawn a convertible model, an M version, and probably a Gran Coupe variant.

It is a lovely car. We love it, just because when it launches prices of the current 3 Series Coupe – which to be honest is better looking – will plummet. So we’ll go and buy one of those!