Is BMW Hinting at the Upcoming i4 with This Enigmatic Sedan? | Carscoops

      A mysterious sedan concept showcased on the iX3 webpage has ignited speculation regarding a potential unannounced Neue Klasse model.

      Recently, BMW discreetly displayed an enigmatic sedan on the German product page for the iX3. This concept appears broader and sportier than the upcoming Neue Klasse i3 sedan, but there has been no confirmation regarding its potential production.

      Is BMW gearing up to introduce an entirely new four-door sedan to broaden its Neue Klasse lineup? While the all-electric i3 sedan is confirmed to be added, following the launch of the second-generation iX3, the automaker's website now features an unexpected sporty model that, to our knowledge, has not been seen before.

      This unidentified vehicle has been included on the iX3 German page to demonstrate some of the iX3’s driving assistance technologies. The brief animated clips highlight features such as radar cruise control, automatic sign recognition, and BMW's new autonomous lane-change functionality. Additionally, they illustrate how BMW’s Parking Assistant Professional system operates, enabling vehicles to be maneuvered into and out of parking spaces via the BMW app.

      The vehicle designed for displaying these driving and parking assistance functions adopts the Neue Klasse design ethos but notably differs from the new i3, which has been revealed in various concept stages and recently in camouflaged pre-production form.

      Up front, it features stylized kidney grilles paired with slender LED headlights, while the sides showcase a smooth surface design with flush door handles. At the rear, narrow taillights finalize its appearance, and overall, the car seems wider and more substantial compared to the i3. Another significant detail is the inclusion of production-style exterior mirrors, which are rarely found on more whimsical concept vehicles.

      Digital Representation or Concealed Hint?

      These vehicles are generally categorized as computer-generated concepts, yet it is unusual for BMW to have crafted a unique design solely for this demonstration instead of utilizing the iX3 to highlight these autonomous capabilities. Alternatively, it might originate from an earlier development sketch of the forthcoming i3, whether tied to earlier concepts or from the production model design stages.

      Could this design lead to a new production vehicle? The possibility always exists, particularly if BMW is contemplating a successor to the i4 Gran Coupe, as the proportions and stance imply it could act as a sportier variant of the i3. Conversely, the company might not plan to include another all-electric sedan in the Neue Klasse horizon, instead opting to let this computer-generated design shape smaller aesthetic elements in future vehicles.

      We have contacted BMW for further clarification and will update this article should we receive a response. In the meantime, what is your opinion on this concept? Would you like to see BMW bring something like this to market?

      Sources: BMW, Carbuzz