2021 BMW 4 Series: No PHEV planned

BMW won’t bother blending batteries with petrol power in the new 4 Series.

“Plug-in hybrid is not planned for the 4 Series,” said Andreas Ederer, project manager for the 4 Series model line.

Rather than electrifying the regular 4 Series, the upcoming i4 electric vehicle will give buyers keen on a greener two-door sports car something to look at in their local BMW showroom.

It’s an interesting move for BMW, given Europe’s increasingly strict emissions regulations and the availability of a plug-in drivetrain on the 4er’s platform – the related 3 Series is available as a PHEV in the form of the 330e.

However, the company’s coupe models have avoided electrification for the time being, as it instead introduces plug-in hybrid and all-electric versions of its core passenger range.

The 3 Series, 5 Series and 7 Series are already available with PHEV power, as are the X1, X2, X3 and X5.

BMW has launched the all-electric iX3 overseas – which will head Down Under in mid-2021 – and there’s rumours of an all-electric 1 Series launching globally in 2021 too. The X1 and 5 Series are also set to get electric variants within five years.

You’ll notice all of BMW’s ‘coupe’ lines – 2 Series, 4 Series, 8 Series, X4 and X6 – were not included in the above list.

In Australia, the 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series and X5 plug-in hybrids are all currently on sale, with the X3 PHEV set to join the range next year after multiple delays.

BMW Australia has previously indicated there are no plans to bring the X1 and X2 plug-in hybrids to our market, however.

The new 4 Series coupe is on sale now, and will be joined by convertible and M4/M4 Competition variants in the new year.

Prices start at $70,900 before on-road costs for the base 420i coupe, topping out at $116,900 before on-roads for the M440i xDrive. Read our pricing and specs story here.

Stay tuned to CarExpert for our Australian launch drive of the new 4 Series on December 9.

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