Coupes may be a dying breed, but there’s still life left in BMW’s 4 Series Coupe, scheduled to hit the market next year bearing updated dimensions and a new CLAR platform.
The new 4 Series family stands to look mighty different then previous, with some variants banished to the dustbin of history and new arrivals on the way. However, the coupe model will thankfully remain true to the original idea.
According to BMW, the next-gen 4 Series Coupe will be 2.2 inches lower than before, with a center of gravity now eight-tenths of an inch closer to terra firma. Rear track widens nine-tenths of an inch, while the front wheels adopt a boosted negative camber to aid the coupe’s roadholding mission.
The new car’s suspension borrows heavily from its 3 Series platform mate, adopting continuously variable, progressive damping control to go with its beefed-up rear axle bracing. Additional stiffness will be a much talked-up feature of the new coupe. There’ll also be a mild improvement in drag coefficient, with whatever fuel economy benefit realized by the additional aero bolstered by new powerplants.
While a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder is expected to return for the entry-level model, electrification comes standard in the loftier 4 Series, with the 440i xDrive adopting a 3.0-liter inline six (374 horsepower) employing a 48-volt mild hybrid system and a motor-generator that kicks in an extra 11 hp upon launch. The current 440i makes do with 320 hp.
In this guise, an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission doles out power to all four wheels, aided by a M Sport rear differential that better segregates left and right wheels for improved cornering. Above the 440i sits an M4 that remains hazy in nature. From what we can see in the provided photos, the 4 Series will gain a new digital instrument display and shifter, plus a larger infotainment screen rising majestically from the dash, much to Tim’s dismay.
Hiding behind that unconvincing front end camouflage lies a signature kidney grille that will definitely grow in size over the current generation’s tastefully openings.
Elsewhere in the 4 Series family, the current Gran Coupe (sedan) will bite the dust, replaced by the upcoming i4 electric vehicle. BMW aims to have that gas-free model do everything its ICE predecessor could do, minus lightning-fast fill-ups.
More specs will emerge of the new 4 Series as the model completes its shakedown trials. Expect a launch later this year.
[Images: BMW]
