BMW confirms next-generation 4 Series development on Neue Klasse platform alongside electric 3 Series, maintaining sportier design-focused alternative with gas power remainingNext M4 confirmed with dual-path approach: brutally powerful EV with four motors and torque vectoring, plus internal combustion version with updated S58 inline-sixShared development with 3 Series and X3/X4 creates synergies making coupe variants viable despite lower sales volumes as competitors drop two-door models For years, there's been talk that the BMW 4 Series might be living on borrowed time. But based on new information, that doesn't seem to be the case at all. While some competitors are scaling back their two-door offerings or dropping them entirely, BMW is making it clear that the 4 Series isn't going anywhere. This represents significant strategic divergence from Audi and Mercedes, both of which have effectively abandoned traditional sport coupe segments. BMW's team in Munich is already working on the next-generation 4 Series, which will sit alongside the upcoming Neue Klasse 3 Series as a sportier, more design-focused alternative. And here's the good news for enthusiasts: a new M4 is definitely happening. About a year ago, reports suggested the next M4 could go fully electric. There's still a slim chance it could, but now it sounds more likely that gas power will remain in the mix alongside electric options. Gas and electric powertrain strategy The 4 Series launched as its own model in 2013, splitting off from the 3 Series, and entered its second generation in 2020. It also served as the foundation for the all-electric i4. Overall, it's been a solid success for BMW despite relatively modest sales volumes compared to the 3 Series sedan. Still, with the 3 Series moving toward the electric-first Neue Klasse platform, the future of a gas-powered 4 Series coupe was starting to look uncertain. Those questions have now been answered by BMW's head of R&D, Joachim Post. Speaking with Autocar, Post confirmed that there's still a place for a sleek two-door model in BMW's future lineup: "The 4 Series is an important car for us. It's sportier, and BMW is a sporty brand with a clear performance heritage. It will continue to play an important role going forward."This is the first official confirmation that a third-generation 4 Series is coming. While we haven't seen any prototypes yet, the move makes a lot of sense. Audi has dropped the A5 Coupe and reused the name for what used to be the A4 sedan, and Mercedes-Benz has combined its C-Class and E-Class coupes into the new CLE. BMW clearly sees an opening here to capture buyers wanting traditional sport coupe configuration without compromising on modern technology. Even though coupes and convertibles don't sell in the same numbers as sedans, BMW says the math still works thanks to shared development. "It's not as expensive as developing a completely new car," Post explained. "Whenever we do a 3 Series or X3, we also think about the 4 Series or X4. That way, we can create synergies and build derivatives more easily." This platform-sharing approach allows BMW to maintain coupe variants profitably despite lower volumes that would make standalone development financially impossible. That comment also quietly confirms the future of BMW's SUV coupes. A new X4 is on the way and will share its powertrains with the X3 and iX3, while the larger X6 is expected to follow a similar approach. BMW's coupe SUV strategy has proven remarkably successful despite initial skepticism, with X4 and X6 finding consistent buyer demand for their style-over-practicality positioning. The next M4 development Because the next 4 Series is expected to ride on Neue Klasse architecture, it should support a wide range of powertrains. A next-generation i4, closely related to the upcoming electric i3, is likely along with highly efficient gas-powered versions. The platform's flexibility represents major advantage over competitors who locked themselves into single-powertrain architectures requiring expensive modifications to accommodate alternatives. According to rumors, the electric model could use a battery as large as 108.0 kWh and offer more than 497 miles of range on the WLTP cycle. But for most enthusiasts, the bigger headline is what this means for the M4. As Post put it, "These derivatives are very often the basis for the sports cars," clearly hinting at BMW M division's involvement in platform development from the beginning. BMW has already suggested that the next M3 will take a dual-path approach: one version as a brutally powerful EV with four motors and torque vectoring, and another sticking with internal combustion via an updated S58 inline-six. The next M4 would likely follow the same formula, offering both electric performance and traditional internal combustion for buyers who prioritize different attributes.Post also pointed out that BMW has a key advantage here: its next-generation gas engines are already designed to meet upcoming Euro 7 emissions rules, giving the brand more flexibility than some of its rivals. Many competitors rushed into electric-only strategies assuming gas engines couldn't meet future regulations, while BMW invested in developing cleaner internal combustion knowing regulatory compliance was achievable with proper engineering. The dual-powertrain M4 strategy acknowledges that performance car buyers have diverse priorities. Some want maximum acceleration and instant torque delivery that only electric motors provide. Others prioritize engine sound, mechanical connection, and driving character that internal combustion delivers. By offering both, BMW captures wider audience than single-powertrain approach allows, though it increases development and manufacturing complexity. The updated S58 inline-six will likely produce around 500-550 horsepower in standard M4 configuration with potential for Competition variant exceeding 600 horsepower. The electric M4 could deliver significantly more power, potentially 700+ horsepower with four-motor setup providing torque vectoring that fundamentally changes handling dynamics. Whether BMW can maintain M4's character while adding massive weight from battery packs remains the critical question.With so many luxury coupes disappearing from market, it's genuinely refreshing to see that BMW is still committed to the 4 Series. Better yet, maintaining gas engine option could keep the M4 a popular choice for enthusiasts who aren't ready to abandon internal combustion regardless of electric performance advantages. Audi's decision to drop the A5 Coupe and Mercedes combining C and E-Class coupes into single CLE suggests declining demand, making BMW's commitment either visionary or stubborn depending on whether coupe sales stabilize or continue declining. The next-generation 4 Series likely arrives around 2027-2028, following the Neue Klasse 3 Series by approximately one year. Pricing will inevitably increase given new platform and dual-powertrain development costs, but shared components with 3 Series should keep increases reasonable. The M4 will command significant premium regardless of powertrain, likely starting around $85,000-95,000 for gas version and potentially exceeding $100,000 for electric variant with all performance options.BMW's confidence in continuing the 4 Series while competitors retreat suggests the company sees sustainable demand that others are missing or that platform-sharing economics make coupe variants viable even at lower volumes. Either way, enthusiasts benefit from BMW's willingness to maintain sportier two-door alternatives in increasingly SUV-dominated lineup. Whether the next-generation 4 Series succeeds commercially or becomes expensive low-volume exercise in brand heritage preservation remains to be seen, but at least BMW is trying where others have already surrendered.
