Despite the shrinking demand for coupes, BMW isn't backing away from the segment just yet. A third-generation 4-Series is on the way, and it's not just a box-ticking refresh. The new model looks set to play a bigger role in BMW's long game, possibly offering both electric and combustion versions, plus a next-gen M4 flagship in the mix.
BMW has been producing the current-generation 4-Series since 2020, offering it in multiple forms including the Gran Coupe and the all-electric i4. The latter has held the distinction of being BMW's best-selling EV to date, but that role is soon expected to shift to the i3 version of the next-gen 3-Series. That transition has raised questions about where the 4-Series fits into BMW's evolving electric and combustion plans.
Coupe relevance in a changing market while recently speaking with Autocar , BMW's head of engineering and development, Joachim Post, emphasized that the 4-Series remains strategically important. He also pointed out that creating a new generation of the car would be relatively cost-effective, thanks to shared development with the next-gen 3-Series. Platform synergies keep coupes alive The 4 Series is an important car for us,” he told the magazine.
“It’s more sporty, and BMW is a sporty brand which has a clear heritage also on the performance side. It will play an important role also for the future. ” Neue Klasse Platform, New Possibilities If BMW does indeed launch a new 4-Series , it will follow the same path as the next 3-Series.
That means we could potentially see both combustion and electric versions, each built on different platforms. The gas-powered model would use an updated version of the familiar CLAR platform, shared with the next-gen 3-Series, while the EV would ride on BMW’s Neue Klasse architecture, the same one underpinning the upcoming i3 and iX3. What we do know is that the Neue Klasse is already confirmed to support an electric iM3, which makes an iM4 Coupe feel entirely plausible.
On the combustion side, BMW has also said the next M3 will stick with its six-cylinder engine in mild hybrid form, keeping the door open for a new gas-powered M4 Coupe as well. Whether we get both versions or just one remains to be seen. If there’s an electric version of the 4-Series, expect a setup similar to the forthcoming i3, powered by BMW’s 108kWh battery pack.
Rear- and dual-motor powertrains are also on the menu. Although Post hasn’t revealed performance targets, early indications suggest a range exceeding 500 miles is within reach. Big Gas Engines Not Going Anywhere During the same interview Post noted that BMW has already developed its next-generation of engines to comply with Euro 7 regulations.
0-liter S58 straight-six of the M3 and M4 will live on, albeit upgraded with a mild-hybrid. 75-liter V12 used by Rolls-Royce. “We can fulfill Euro 7 with some optimization in the exhaust system – with things like the catalysts – so that’s why we have a big advantage in that Euro 7 is not that high an investment for us,” he revealed.
BMW's future plans are likely to be shaped by its commitment to electrification and performance, while also maintaining its heritage as a sporty brand.
BMW's continued focus on the 4-Series and M4 models suggests that the company is committed to preserving its performance heritage, even in an era of increasing electrification. This strategy will likely be key to BMW's long-term success, as it seeks to balance its desire for innovation with its need to stay true to its brand identity.
