The new BMW 4 Series will arrive in 2020 and will be much lighter

Mónica Redondo @MonicaRedondoD 22 April 2019 3 min.

The fourth generation of the BMW 4 Series will arrive in 2020 with a very significant weight saving and a plug-in hybrid variant.

As the good weather arrives, the convertible prototypes of the new BMW 4 Series are changing mood and starting to shed their “clothing”. The fourth generation of the 4 Series from the German brand is coming to be renewed; it is the BMW G22 and it has just been spotted without its roof.

From the Bavarian brand they could be developing a new BMW 4 Series Cabrio and everything points to it being very different from the 4 Series that BMW has accustomed its users to.

Among the most notable differences offered by the future BMW 4 Series is the inclusion of a soft folding roof, instead of a hard one. The German brand has probably made this decision for three reasons: it is easier to manufacture, cheaper and much lighter.

Weight is a very important factor, and the folding mechanism of the current hard roof of the BMW M4 Cabrio weighs around 229 kilograms. This makes it considerably heavier than the more powerful coupé version. This excess weight in the BMW M4 Cabrio affects its performance.

Among the benefits of the new flexible roof is the improved boot space for carrying luggage and, of course, a very notable weight reduction. Will this weight reduction improve its figures?

A much lighter BMW 4 Series

Some sources claim that the new generation of the BMW 4 Series will be unveiled in 2020. The new BMW 4 Series Coupé will internally be designated G23, while the Cabrio version of the BMW 4 Series will be called G22. It is important to note that the new generation of the BMW 4 Series arriving in 2020 will look much more like the new BMW 3 Series.

The renewed BMW 4 Series will have elegant bumpers, both front and rear, accompanied by different light clusters aimed at making the vehicle “more impressive”. According to photographers who have spotted the new members of the 4 Series family, the new model may feature kidney grilles inspired by the new BMW Z4.

Although official data is still unknown, the BMW 4 Series could reach the market with a wide range of four- and six-cylinder engines. In addition, for the first time, BMW users will have a plug-in hybrid variant of the new members of the BMW 4 Series.

Some sources have suggested that this new member of the BMW family could go head-to-head as a plug-in hybrid alternative to the current Tesla Model 3. Will it improve its performance? We will have to wait until 2020 to find out.

BMW 4 Series

The current BMW 4 Series can be described as the coupé-bodied version of the current 3 Series. They share a platform and many mechanical elements. So far, the members of the 4 Series measure 4,638 mm in length, have a wheelbase of 2,180 mm and a width of 1,825 mm.

It can be chosen as a Cabrio or a Coupé, although a third version is available: the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé. Buyers can choose the model with several engine options. In petrol, you can choose between the 2.0-litre four-cylinder and the 3.0-litre six-cylinder with 306 CV. If the buyer prefers diesel, it is offered with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder and the 3.0-litre six-cylinder engines.