New BMW 4 Series will be more emotional

The new G20-generation BMW 3 Series sedan may be the most elaborately styled generation yet, but its two-door 4 Series counterpart will be even more of a departure.

BMW once labelled its mid-size coupes and convertibles as 3 Series models. Then with the arrival of the sixth-generation (F30) 3 Series, the company created the 4 Series.

Now, the next generation of 4 Series models, due to break cover some time in 2019, are set to be further separated from their mechanical siblings than ever before.

“We have moved the 3 and 4 Series apart in their current generation,” BMW 3 and 4 Series spokesperson Kai Litche told carsales.com.au.

“It makes sense that we would move it further apart in its next generation,” he said.

Although the 2019 BMW 3 Series line-up will be culled, with the 3 GT not set to be replaced, the full 4 Series range will return.

Currently BMW offers three body styles: Coupe (F32), Convertible (F33) and GranCoupe (F34).

The seventh-generation (G22) BMW 4 Series Convertible was spotted testing with its soft-top in October.

“There’s been a trend to many body styles with us and our competition, but maybe this move is at and end and there will be some contraction,” Litche proffered.

“[But] 4 Series [current] models have strong acceptance,” he said.

The new BMW 3 Series arrives in Australia in the first half of next year – initially in 320d and 330i sedan forms, followed by the hot M340i xDrive sports sedan and the 330 plug-in hybrid.

Watch out for our first drive next week.