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BMW’s next 4 Series appears early — in CGI
Long before BMW lifts the veil on its third-generation 4 Series, digital artists and auto outlets have already imagined what the coupe could look like. With BMW preparing a major refresh across its lineup — driven by the Neue Klasse EV architecture and design cues that will ripple across internal-combustion models — the timing for a new 4 Series remains uncertain. Still, renderings from outlets such as Kolesa and creator Nikita Chuicko (aka kelsonik) provide an early, unofficial glimpse of the coupe’s possible shape and stance.
Why renders arrive years before production
BMW introduced the current G22 4 Series in mid-2020, so a full redesign is not expected until the latter half of this decade — likely 2027–2029 at the earliest. Meanwhile, BMW’s broader strategy is clear: roll out the Neue Klasse platform for dedicated EVs and use its design language across both electric and ICE models. That roadmap encourages creatives and the rumor mill to extrapolate existing spy photos of the camouflaged BMW 3 Series into a sportier two-door profile.
Design cues: how similar will 3 and 4 Series be?
Renderers anticipate BMW will tighten the visual relationship between the 3 Series and 4 Series, using shared signature elements while preserving the coupe’s identity. Key predicted features include:
- Horizontally elongated kidney elements integrated with the headlight clusters, treated more as a design signature than a traditional grille.
- Headlight and daytime running light integration that mirrors the marque’s recent split-light theme seen on the updated 7 Series.
- Sleeker, more refined LED taillights than those on the 3 Series sedan, with bumper and tailgate treatments remaining broadly similar.
- A distinct grand-tourer profile for the 4 Series: a lower roofline, shortened rear overhang and coupe proportions that set it apart from the sedan.
Performance and powertrain possibilities
BMW’s platform strategy suggests the third-gen 4 Series could offer multiple powertrains: conventional gasoline engines, plug-in hybrid variants and a fully electric version for buyers prioritizing zero-emissions driving. Expected engine options — based on what BMW currently offers and what upgrades are plausible — may include:
- Turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder, roughly 255 hp in tuned form.
- Turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six producing in the neighborhood of 386 hp.
- M-badged high-performance variants exceeding 473 hp, derived from M4 developments.
Platform-wise, the current 4 Series sits on BMW’s CLAR architecture; an updated CLAR could carry conventionally powered variants forward, while pure-EV models—such as an electric coupe sibling to the i4—are likely to adopt Neue Klasse’s dedicated EV hardware, potentially using higher-voltage electrical systems in future BMW EVs.
Renders vs. reality: what to expect
It’s important to separate artistic interpretation from factory intent. CGI and enthusiast renderings are informed guesses—often extrapolated from spy shots of related models like the 3 Series. They highlight styling directions and proportions rather than precise technical details. Still, these visualizations serve a useful role: they give enthusiasts a sense of how BMW’s evolving design language might translate into a performance coupe.
“Renderings are conversation starters, not official blueprints.”
Market positioning and context
BMW is balancing heritage and electrification. The 4 Series has always been a style-led sports coupe in BMW’s lineup, and that positioning is likely to continue. Whether buyers choose gasoline, hybrid, or electric versions will depend on market demand, regulatory pressures and BMW’s rollout of Neue Klasse EVs alongside refined combustion options.
For now, renderings from Kolesa and others spark debate: will BMW keep the coupe’s soul while aligning it more closely with the 3 Series? The likely answer is yes — shared design DNA with distinct coupe proportions.
What do you think: do the imagined renderings capture the spirit of a future 4 Series, or do they dilute what made the coupe special? The real test will come when BMW finally reveals the production car, but until then, these conceptual previews are a fun early look at where the brand might be headed.
Source: autoevolution
Comments
turbo_mk
Whoa that grille is wild, but the coupe lines still look sharp. CGI vibes not convinced about some details though.
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