History Of The BMW 4 Series

Since its inception, the BMW 4 Series has stood as the perfect example of the Bavarian brand’s ability to merge performance, luxury, and innovative automotive technology. The 4 Series range of compact executive cars has captured the attention of driving enthusiasts and luxury aficionados alike.

Looking into the history of the BMW 4 Series reveals a timeline of some of the German firm’s most iconic moments. Not only does the elegant coupe represent the design evolution at BMW, but it also reflects the ever-changing automotive landscape and the way in which manufacturers have had to adapt. They remain stalwart at the forefront of automotive excellence.

From its origins to the sleek and powerful models that grace highways and back roads today, the 4 Series and BMW in general have tirelessly pushed the boundaries of innovation, becoming the gold standard for a number of different vehicle segments. With a focus on driver experience, finely tuned powertrains, and an iconic aesthetic appeal that has challenged norms, we embark on a journey through the 4 Series’ rich heritage and explore how it contributes and draws from the brand’s rich legacy.

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The BMW 2002 Is The Grandfather To The 3 and 4 Series

To understand how the modern 4 Series came to be we have to dive deep into the history of BMW itself. We travel back in time to the mid-1960s when BMW was still attempting to solidify itself as a brand, not just in America but across the globe. It wasn’t until the introduction of the Neue Class sedans that the popularity of the German automaker would truly started to boom.

The BMW 02 Series started production in 1966, this was the sedan that directly preceded the first 3 Series. It was essentially a cheaper and smaller version of the New Class and came in coupe or convertible body styles. With a smaller body and lighter overall weight than the New Class, the 02 Series was more suitable to become BMW’s sports car offering.

2002 Turbo Performance

America was desperate for a sporting version of the 02 Series. Thus, after putting a larger 2.0-liter engine in it, BMW devised the 2002. Many iterations of the 2002 were produced, all to great success, but the most iconic was the BMW 2002 Turbo. This was the first BMW car to be fitted with a turbocharger.

Already, comparisons between the 2002 and the 4 Series are apparent. Both are the smaller and cheaper coupe offerings of their time and both aim to be top performers for BMW in terms of motorsports.

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The 4 Series Is The Coupe Version Of The 3 Series

After the BMW 2002 came the E21 3 Series. This was the first generation of the iconic 3 Series, and it was offered as a two-door sedan and a convertible. The 02 Series was starting to show its age and the Turbo’s introduction right before the oil crisis saw sales start to take a stumble. Thus, BMW decided that it was time for a change of pace and introduced its successor.

The 3 Series has historically always been one of the best-selling cars for BMW, and this has remained true. The 3 Series currently accounts for nearly 30 percent of BMW’s entire automobile sales. The first generation of the sedan was an incredible hit and the German automaker instantly decided to capitalize, bringing in a range of new body types from the second generation onwards. The second generation was also the first generation of the 3 Series to receive the BMW M treatment.

So, why are we talking so much about the 3 Series in an article about the history of the 4 Series? It’s because the two cars are essentially one and the same. Due to the overwhelming amount of body types and variations that came about for the 3 Series, in 2013 BMW decided to diversify their lineup. Thus, all the coupe and convertible body style 3 Series were from then on to be marketed under the nameplate of the 4 Series. So, the legacy and heritage of the 3 Series and the 4 Series are intertwined.

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Deep Diving Into The Evolution Of The BMW 4 Series

In January 2013 at the North American International Auto Show, the original concept car for the BMW 4 Series was revealed. It was marketed as a spin-off of the 3 Series and would replace all coupe and convertible models of the 3 Series. It has since also been offered in a five-door liftback body style marketed as the Gran Coupe.

While the 4 Series is based on a lot of the same underpinnings as the 3 Series sedan, it wasn’t simply a clever marketing ploy by BMW to swap out the names. The new BMW 4 Series distinguished itself as a sportier more playful car by being lower to the ground and it was made longer, with its wheels being pushed further apart to increase handling and grip. Its sleek and unique body type let everyone know that it was its own car and not just a rebadged 3 Series.

F32 420i Coupe Performance

The first generation of the 4 Series received the same recognition and acclaim as its sedan twin but towards the end of its production run, it was starting to show its age. By the 2020 model year it was no longer the cutting edge, standard setter that it once was. Thus, in 2021 the coupe saw drastic changes with the introduction of the second generation.

The 3 Series had started to pull away from its coupe cousin, but the second generation 4 Series pulled it back. With improved interior quality, a more refined power train, and a ton of new tech, the 4 Series was reclaiming its glory. The only problem was that its base models were starting to lose their sporty identity in favor of comfort.

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How BMW Motorsports Has Influenced The 4 Series

As with just about every BMW, the 4 Series has a BMW M model. The M4 boasts upgrades over the standard 4 series in just about every way: from improved suspension to a completely separate powertrain. While the base 4 Series models have started to lose their sportiness, the M4 remains one of the best-performing BMW M cars money can buy.

2023 M4 CSL Performance

It’s no wonder then that the M4 has been so successful in motorsports. The DTM, a naturally aspirated touring car version of the DTM saw victories in the prestigious Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters from 2014 to 2016. At the 2017 24 Hours of Le Mans BMW debuted the M4 GT4. The M4 GT3 is another version of the M4 which complies with FIA standards for GT3 racing and competes in a range of racing series and endurance classics.

The 4 Series and the M4 have set new standards for performance coupes around the world. BMW has continued to shift goalposts and innovative in terms of performance and luxury. Unfortunately, it looks like the end of the 4 Series is upon us. Rumors are circulating that the 4 Series will cease to exist past this generation. Whilst we think it’s highly unlikely that a product similar to the 4 Series will exist in the future, we still plan to celebrate and enjoy this exquisite coupe from BMW while it is still around.