The fate of the BMW 4 Series petrol hangs in the balance as the Neue Klasse-based 3 Series emerges with a sleeker design, potentially overshadowing its coupe counterpart. While BMW boasts an illustrious lineup of iconic models, the 4 Series may not secure a place among them.
Initially introduced in 2014 as a coupe and liftback companion to the enduring 3 Series, reports from BMW Blog suggest that the petrol-driven 4 Series is unlikely to see a third generation.
Despite the 4 Series petrol and diesel range maintaining respectable sales figures, particularly in the USA where it has enjoyed strong demand since its debut, and even surpassing the Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe and convertible in Australian sales last year, the impending arrival of the next-generation 3 Series poses a challenge.
With its sleeker aesthetics, as previewed by the Vision Neue Klasse concept, the upcoming 3 Series threatens to encroach significantly on the territory traditionally occupied by the 4 Series, potentially rendering the latter redundant. However, this doesn’t signify the demise of the extended 4 Series family entirely. According to the same sources, the i4 designation is set to continue, adorning an electric coupe and convertible variant.
In a broader context, German automakers are streamlining their product portfolios, consolidating offerings that proliferated throughout the 2000s to focus on profitability over sheer volume.
Mercedes-Benz, for instance, has consolidated its C-Class and E-Class coupe lines into a unified CLE model, while the future of the CLS four-door coupe appears uncertain due to sluggish sales. Furthermore, reports from the German newspaper Handelsblatt suggest that even the small A-Class and B-Class models are under scrutiny, as luxury brands seek to optimize profits amidst evolving market dynamics.
