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BMW M4 (G82) Gets a Neue Klasse Makeover — in CGI
As BMW ramps up the Neue Klasse roll‑out, digital artists are already imagining how the brand's design language could reshape even its hottest combustion models. UK-based CGI studio avantedesigns_ has released a fresh set of renderings that graft Neue Klasse cues onto the second‑generation G82 BMW M4 coupe, delivering a glossy, mid‑cycle refresh concept that has fans debating whether the next LCI will follow suit.
Why the M4? A candidate for a contemporary facelift
The G82 M4 arrived in series production in late 2020 and quickly expanded into a wide family — standard and Competition trims, M Performance Parts, the track‑focused M4 CS, plus a run of special editions such as the M4 x Kith, 3.0 CSL homage, 50 Jahre models and the flagship M4 CSL. With several years on the market, an LCI (BMW’s term for a mid‑cycle refresh) is expected. Enthusiasts have long speculated the grille, lighting and fascia will evolve, and the avante render imagines exactly that.
Key design changes in the renderings
The CGI makeover focuses primarily on the front end, where Neue Klasse hallmarks are most obvious:
- New LED headlamps with dual 'LED claws' serving as daytime running lights
- A slim illuminated visor over the nose that visually links the lamps
- Smaller, more vertical kidney grilles that remain a BMW signature but sit more proportionally with the rest of the face
- A fully revised front bumper with larger ducts and sculpted intakes to suit the updated lights and grille
These changes keep the M4’s aggressive stance but modernize the fascia in line with BMW’s recent EV‑first language as seen on the Neue Klasse iX3 concept.
From teal to classic blue: styling and presentation
This is the second iteration of avantedesigns_'s M4 renderings. Where earlier images used an exotic teal finish, the latest CGI swaps to a more traditional BMW blue — a deliberate choice that highlights the model’s sporty lines while making the new front end read clearer in photos and social posts.
Highlights from the concept:
- A believable mid‑cycle update rather than a full redesign
- Subtle integration of Neue Klasse motifs without erasing M4 DNA
- Visual tweaks that could be applied to other non‑EV models if BMW decides to harmonize its lineup
Market context: Neue Klasse, EVs and the competition
BMW will showcase its Neue Klasse direction at CES 2026 with the next‑gen iX3, built on the dedicated Neue Klasse EV platform. That car is both a product and a statement: many forthcoming BMWs will either wear Neue Klasse styling, use the EV platform, or both. The move aims to unify design across gasoline, hybrid and electric models — and to position BMW against rivals such as Mercedes‑Benz’s 2026 GLC with EQ technology in the premium compact crossover segment.
While the M4 itself remains a petrol‑powered performance coupe (offering a turbocharged straight‑six in current trims), this CGI exercise spotlights how BMW might balance combustion models with the brand’s fresh design direction.
Would BMW actually do this?
Renderings like avantedesigns_'s are unofficial, but they often influence public expectations and sometimes nudge manufacturers. The proposal is realistic as a Life Cycle Impulse: tweaks to headlights, a slimmer grille treatment, and a new bumper are all typical LCI moves. Whether BMW will adopt Neue Klasse styling wholesale for the M4 remains to be seen, but the renderings make a persuasive case for a tasteful, modernized facelift.
What do you think — should BMW give the G82 M4 a Neue Klasse face lift, or keep the current, bolder grille language? Share your thoughts below.
Source: autoevolution
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