BMW’s Frankfurt Motor Show lineup included a look at the reimagined BMW 4 Series in concept form. The fastback lines of the first generation’s rear gradient are more boldly expressed, and the grooved hood and nose that come off as downright muscular. Add a more resilient grace to the equation, and you have a new 4 Series sedan that looks better than a $45K car has any right to.

With the exception of the grille. Which looks like a BMW kidney emblem that retired into a chrysalis and emerged as a butterfly. The large intakes flanking it seemed to make the stylistic hyperbole necessary, but the exaggerated sense of scale will take some getting used to, as with the 7-Series’.

The profile and rear come closer to making the car a convincing expression of power; the lines are both graceful and strong, and the asymmetrical V that culminates below the spoiler gives the body language a tasty bit of individuality.

The concept hasn’t been finalized for production, but is nearly complete. Other new variations of the 4 Series will follow in the coming months, one would expect, and will presumably include a new concept version of the anticipated CLAR-based i4, which could be a big seller for BMW in the first half of the coming decade.