New Delhi: For a long time, there have been talks about the BMW 4 Series just on the edge of being pushed to the other side of the edge. However, that might be far from the reality that we are thinking of. Even though the competition scales back on two-door cars or drops them completely, BMW is not heeding this trend.
BMW’s team in Munich have already said that they are working on the next-generation of 4 Series, which will sit with the forthcoming “Neue Klasse” 3 Series, the sportier and more design-focused alternative. Apart from this, even a new M4 might happen as well.
How the BMW 4 Series came to be
The 4 Series was launched as a separate model in 2013, splitting from the 3 Series, and came with a second-gen in 2020. It was also the basis for the i4 and has overall given a solid success to BMW. With the 3-Series going electric towards the electric-first Neue Klasse platform, the future of the ICE 4 Series coupe might have been uncertain.
However, in a recent interview with Autocar, BMW’s head of R&D, Joachim Post, said that there was still a place for a two-door model in BMW’s portfolio.
He further confirmed a possible third generation of the 4 Series, and while there are no prototypes seen yet, the move is much more logical. With the likes of Audi A5 Coupe dropped and Mercedes-Benz have combined the C-Class and E-Class into the new CLE, BMW are without competition.
BMW 4 Series second-gen came in 2020
Joachim noted that whenever they think about the 3 Series and X3, the 4 Series and X4 are always thought about. It confirms the future of SUVs as well. While the coupes and convertibles don’t sell in the same numbers, BMW feels the number does add up for them.
As the next-gen 4 Series is expected to ride on Neue Klasse architecture, it should support a wide range of powertrains as well. A next-gen i4, related closely to the upcoming electric i3, is possible, along with a highly efficient ICE version. BMW also suggested that the next-gen M4 will be both a heavy ICE with an updated S58 inline-six and a powerful EV with four motors and torque vectoring.
With so many of the fabled ICE coupes and convertibles disappearing, it is relieving that BMW is still committed to the mighty 4 Series, and more so that an M4 with ICE as well is still looming in the future. It makes the motor enthusiast a little happier.