The New BMW i4: When Will the Convertible and Coupé Arrive on the "Neue Klasse" Platform?

Aug 5

3 min read

Since its launch in 2022, the BMW i4 has proven that a sporty driving experience and electric power aren't a contradiction. Now the next big step is underway: the Neue Klasse brings an entirely new technical foundation to BMW – and the i4 is taking on a new role in the lineup along the way. We've gathered together the latest information.

The end of the current i4 generation.

The current i4 (G26 series) is approaching the end of its lifecycle. According to reports, sedan production is set to wind down in early 2027. That brings the first generation to a close after around five years on the market – the G26 series has been available since 2022.

The actual successor is called the i3 Sedan

Anyone expecting a direct i4 successor in the form of a four-door fastback sedan may be surprised: that role is being taken over by the new BMW i3, which is already launching this summer as the first Neue Klasse production model. BMW itself internally refers to the i3 as the true successor to the i4 in sedan form. Technically, the i3 shares its platform with the iX3 and brings an 800-volt architecture with up to 400 kW charging power, along with BMW's sixth-generation eDrive.

The "real" new i4 arrives as a coupé – not until 2028

So the i4 name itself isn't disappearing, but it is being repositioned: as a two-door mid-size coupé on the Neue Klasse platform. Based on current knowledge, a market launch around 2028 can be expected. The new i4 would thus become the third low-roof Neue Klasse model after the i3 Sedan and i3 Touring, closely related to the i3 rather than being developed as a fully standalone model.

In terms of timing, the lineup would be staggered as follows:

2026: BMW i3 Sedan (Neue Klasse) – market launch
2027: BMW i3 Touring
Early 2027: End of production for the current i4 sedan (G26)
2028: New i4 as a two-door coupé and convertible (Neue Klasse)

i4 Convertible and i4 Coupé family

BMW is apparently working on an entire two-door i4 family. Alongside the coupé, an i4 convertible is also in development – the brand's first fully electric convertible. Spy testing points to a public unveiling in the second half of 2027, with market launch in select markets in 2028. The convertible is expected to be based on the Neue Klasse platform, making it the first open-top model of this new architecture.

At the same time, the current G23 generation of the 4 Series Convertible will remain in the lineup for a while longer: BMW plans to keep building the combustion-engined convertible until around mid-2029 – an indication of how important BMW considers the transition phase between combustion and electric power for this segment.

Note: Images are AI-rendered. Not official BMW images.

Tech outlook: What the Neue Klasse brings

Based on what we already know from the i3 and iX3, we can expect the following key specs for the new i4:

800-volt architecture with charging power up to 400 kW
BMW's sixth-generation eDrive for motor and battery
Bidirectional charging: Vehicle-to-Load (V2L), Vehicle-to-Home (V2H), and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), depending on market
New four-eye kidney design with a reduced, clear design language
Close technical kinship with the i3, rather than fully independent development
The first drivetrain variant at launch could be the i4 50 xDrive, already known from the iX3 and i3 sedan. The i4 40 and i4 30 would follow at a later point.

The i4 name lives on – but with new meaning. While the sedan role is taken over by the i3 going forward, from 2028 the i4 becomes a purebred coupé on the Neue Klasse platform, complemented by a first-ever i4 convertible. Until then, it remains exciting to watch how much of the Vision Neue Klasse design actually makes it into the production version. We'll stay on top of it for you and keep you updated with all the news on the new i4 generation.

Note: All information is based on current industry reports and insider information; official confirmation from BMW is still pending.

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