BMW’s head of R&D, Joachim Post, recently revealed that the 4 Series “will continue to play an important role going forward.” While that’s great news for fans of BMW’s sporty two-door, it remains unclear exactly what it means for the model’s future.
With BMW rolling out its Neue Klasse EV platform alongside a new generation of combustion engines, a third-generation 4 Series could potentially be offered with both powertrains. That said, the new model may not arrive until the end of the decade, with BMW planning to keep the current model in production until at least 2029.
Production of the second-generation 4 Series kicked off in 2020, following the debut of the original model in 2013. The 4 Series replaced the E92 and E93 3 Series Coupe and Convertible, and later expanded to include a five-door Gran Coupe liftback variant.
BMW has only recently hinted that it is even considering a next-generation 4 Series, but there are already clues about what to expect. Here’s everything we know so far about the third-generation BMW 4 Series.
What Platform Will It Ride On?
The current 4 Series utilizes BMW’s CLAR platform, which underpins both the gas and electric models. If the third-generation 4 Series arrives with a combustion engine, it will likely use an upgraded version of the car’s current Cluster Architecture. The electric i4, meanwhile, could adopt BMW’s Neue Klasse (NK) platform.
The NK platform features 800-volt architecture and is the automaker’s first software-defined vehicle, integrating multiple vehicle systems into a single computer. The iX3 has four of these “suprebrains” dedicated to controlling things like vehicle dynamics and driver-assist systems, and an NK-based 4 Series will likely feature similar hardware.
What Will Power It?
If the next-gen 4 Series has a combustion engine, it will likely continue to use improved versions of the current powertrains. The current car comes with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 255-horsepower, or a turbo 3.0-liter straight-six making 386-horsepower. The I6 makes 473 hp in the M4.
The electric 4 Series will utilize the brand’s Neue Klasse platform and likely mirror the powertrains of the electric 3 Series. That car hasn’t debuted yet, but the new iX3 gives us an idea of what to expect. The iX3 50 xDrive makes 463 hp and 473 pound-feet of torque from two of its in-house developed electric motors.
We expect the next-gen electric 4 Series to offer similar performance to the iX3, along with additional powertrain configurations. The current i4 is available in rear- and all-wheel-drive setups, with the i4 M60 producing up to 593 hp.
What Will The New BMW 4 Series Look Like?
Regardless of the powertrain, the next-generation 4 Series will adopt the styling of the brand’s Neue Klasse cars. The automaker already confirmed that the design of the new iX3 and 3 Series will roll out to the rest of the lineup within a few years.
Despite sharing a design language, the 4 Series will be the sportier-looking model. Our renderings depict the M Performance variant, pairing the NK’s smooth sheet metal and rounded edges with an aggressive lower bumper, canards, and a rear diffuser.
Inside, we expect the 4 Series to use BMW’s latest infotainment system, which features a dash-spanning screen at the base of the windshield. The automaker announced it over a year ago and will put it in all of its vehicles.
When Will The New 4 Series Debut?
Rumors suggest BMW will keep the current 4 Series in production through 2029, so we’re not expecting a next-generation model anytime soon. Post’s recent comments are the first indication that the automaker is even considering a third-generation model.
It’s unclear if BMW is planning a complete 4 Series lineup with combustion and electric power, or if the company has narrower plans. A recent BMWBlog report alleges that the automaker has only green-lit the next-generation i4 and that there are internal discussions about future combustion models.
How Much Will It Cost?
The cheapest 4 Series on sale today, the four-door Gran Coupe, starts at $52,550. The coupe starts at $54,650, while the electric i4 starts at $59,250. The M4 costs $83,550 to start.
We expect the next-generation 4 Series will likely have a starting price in the mid-to-high $50,000 range, possibly reaching $60,000. With the current 4 Series rumored to stay on sale until 2029, we expect prices to rise between now and then, pushing the price of the next-gen model even higher.
Gallery: BMW i4 Coupe (2027) Rendering
Gallery: BMW i4 Coupe (2027) Rendering
