BMW’s new i3 electric sedan is set to arrive in the US in just a few months—but what does that mean for the current i4? Well, it looks like the battery-powered 4 Series sedan is on its way out.
We spoke with BMW's product boss, Bernd Körber, at the launch of the i3 in Germany. He said that the i4 won’t be around much longer, with the i3 effectively taking its place for now. That said, a true successor to the i4 could still be in the pipeline. As Körber put it:
'The i3 is more or less the successor of the i4. But you’ll see the portfolio evolve over the next few years as our electric lineup expands—so there’s more to come. For the time being, though, the i3 is essentially the i4’s successor.'
There had already been rumors that the current i4 was nearing the end of its lifecycle, and this all but confirms it. Despite receiving a facelift in 2024, reports have suggested that production would wrap up by late 2026. We do know that a new 4 Series is likely on the way, and it will use the i3's Neue Klasse platform.
The i3 is expected to go on sale later this year as a 2027 model. That effectively marks the end of the road for the i4 as we know it. RIP.
Zander Sutton contributed to this report
Motor1's Take: The writing was already on the wall for the i4, and the i3’s debut seals its fate. Still, Körber’s comments leave the door open for a future i4—likely built on the i3’s Neue Klasse platform.
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The BMW i4 is being phased out in favor of the new i3 electric sedan.
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This shift highlights BMW's commitment to evolving its electric vehicle lineup.
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The i3 will utilize the Neue Klasse platform, paving the way for future models.