by The next generation of the BMW 4-Series is likely to appear only in three years. Artistic renderings allow for an early assessment of how the coupe might look in the Neue Klasse styling. The BMW Group may retain the coupe and convertible in the lineup but discontinue the Gran Coupe model.
A New Design Era for Future Models
BMW is preparing to present the new i3 electric sedan this month, continuing the rollout of the new Neue Klasse design direction. This design language first appeared on the new iX3 and will also influence the future combustion-engine 3-Series. However, these two models will not share a common architecture: the gasoline version will be built on an evolved version of the current CLAR platform.
A new two-door 4-Series coupe is also likely in development and will most likely adopt the same Neue Klasse design language spreading across the company’s model range.
Although the electric 3-Series is already on the way, the next 4-Series is believed to appear only in a few years. According to reports, production of the current 4-Series, including the M4, will continue until June 2029.
Temporary Overlap in the Lineup and Future Uncertainty
This schedule creates an unusual temporal overlap in BMW’s product line. Production of the next-generation hybrid M3 is expected to begin in the first quarter of next year, meaning the currently outgoing 4-Series model and the new electrified M3 will coexist in showrooms for some time.
Ultimately, the current 4-Series will complete its life cycle. What will replace it remains unclear for now. BMW could continue producing a combustion-engine coupe, switch to an electric successor akin to the i4, or offer both options.
For now, there are only hints and assumptions. However, fresh renderings by Nikita Chuyko, known online as Kelsonik, allow us to imagine what the future 4-Series coupe, shaped by BMW’s next design era, might look like.
Expected Changes in Design and Body
The Gran Coupe body style currently offered may be discontinued, leaving only the traditional coupe and convertible in the lineup. These renderings show a car with an overall silhouette similar to the current 4-Series but completely transformed by entirely new front and rear bumpers.
Like the i3, the next 4-Series will receive the same angular LED headlights as other Neue Klasse models, which smoothly transition into a smaller interpretation of BMW’s kidney grilles. Below them is a completely new lower section of the grille, finished in black and featuring a sharper, more angular shape.
Illustrations Nikita Chuyko/Kelsonik
These images also depict the new model with simplified door panels incorporating flush door handles. BMW’s signature Hofmeister kink remains untouched, while new, slim tail lights appear at the rear. The updated look is complemented by a redesigned rear bumper and a glossy black diffuser.
If BMW eventually goes down this path, would you prefer to see the next 4-Series as a gasoline coupe, an electric vehicle, or both options?
BMW’s plans for the 4-Series demonstrate a complex transitional period for the automaker, where traditional ICE models and new electric platforms must coexist. The long life cycle of the current model and the potential for parallel production of different powertrain types for the next generation indicate the flexibility of the company’s strategy. The choice of the Neue Klasse design language, regardless of the technical underpinnings, is an attempt to create a unified, recognizable image for the brand’s future, which is particularly important in conditions of market uncertainty. The question of whether two-door body styles will be preserved in the long term remains open, as demand for them is gradually decreasing in favor of versatile crossovers and sedans.
