2020 BMW 4 Series spied!

G22 underpinnings and an M440i range-topper are due for the forthcoming two-door Bavarian

The next-generation BMW 4 Series will be given a sporting makeover when it arrives in July 2020, as suggested by two lightly disguised development cars, which have been spied on top of a transporter in Germany. As far as we can see from the pairing, the G22-based coupe will get accentuated lines - emphasised by a sleeker nose and extended tailgate - to create a sort of scaled-down 8 Series silhouette and more substantially differentiate the two-door from its saloon sibling.

What lies beneath that new body, however, will be largely similar to the 3 Series, with that car’s G20 base lending aluminium and high strength steel segments and a pair of wider tracks, as well as double front wishbone and rear multi-line suspension. We’re familiar with the advantages of the new CLAR structure, which include higher structural rigidity and better efficiency of weight, because the effects have been clear in every version of the G20 saloon we’ve tested, from mid-rung 320d to M340i.

On that subject, much of the 3 Series engine line-up will be carried over, with a punchy turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel likely to continue as the strongest seller in Europe and an all-new M440i, powered by BMW’s 3.0-litre inline six petrol, providing the highest performance this side of the following M4. In the 3, the straight-six has 374hp and 369lb ft of torque, so expect the same for this car, which will also be xDrive only like the saloon. While that seems like an odd decision for a hot variant like this, BMW might want to leave the M3/M4 pairing with some dynamic breathing space from a cheaper, though not much slower, M440i.

If the G20 is anything to go by, the best handling 4 Series will be those equipped with adaptive damping; the 3 Series benefits substantially from this adjustable hardware by being both comfortable and keen on a technical road. Although the option of adaptive steering will probably remain one to pass on for PHers, with BMW’s electric system still not having any feel in reserve to give away. There’ll also be automatic eight-speed and six-speed manual gearboxes for the range, with an M Sport differential there as an option.

The rest of the 4 Series setup will be largely identical to that of the 3, with the same new-gen infotainment system inside top trim cars, giving them the voice-controllable BMW 7.0 operating system complete with a central display and digital instrument cluster. It’s a setup that’s second only to Audi’s Virtual Cockpit – but the 4 Series could, arguably, claw back any lost ground with its sleeker exterior design and more sporting demeanour. That its coupe lines look to be emphasised further in the next-generation might significantly boost its appeal, a job which a 510hp M4 halo would only go further towards completing...