Tag Archives: BMW

News

BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe Might Bow Out Early — And Take the i4 With It

BMW’s swoopy, not-quite-a-sedan, not-quite-a-hatchback 4 Series Gran Coupe might be nearing the end of its odd but memorable run. A new report from Bimmerpost suggests the current G26 generation will leave the stage earlier than planned — February 2027, instead of its original June 2028 sendoff.

That’s roughly a year and a half shaved off its life span, and while 2027 might sound far away, that gives the model just one full production year left if the rumor proves true. For a car that’s long been the middle child in BMW’s lineup — stylish yet practical, sporty yet sensible — this could mark the end of a curious chapter in Munich’s design experiment.

The Niche No One Asked For, but Everyone Noticed

When it first arrived, the 4 Series Gran Coupe didn’t fit neatly into any box. It wasn’t compact enough to be a proper hatchback, yet its sloping roofline and frameless doors gave it a coupe’s silhouette. It was BMW’s way of giving you sedan practicality with just enough visual flair to justify calling it something else.

And somehow, it worked. Over the past decade, the Gran Coupe carved out a small but loyal following of buyers who wanted 3 Series usability with a bit more panache.

The Real Victim: The i4

If this rumor pans out, the biggest casualty won’t be the gas-powered variants — it’ll be the all-electric i4, which shares the same body shell. The i4 is arguably BMW’s best current EV, combining everyday usability with genuine driving fun. It’s one of the few electric cars that feels engineered for the driver first, not just the algorithm.

But BMW’s next-generation electric lineup — the Neue Klasse models — is on the horizon. The upcoming i3 sedan, built on that new platform, will likely cover the same territory as the i4 but with more advanced tech, faster charging, and less weight. That redundancy could explain the G26’s early retirement notice.

Still, it’s a little bittersweet. The i4’s liftback practicality and playful dynamics gave it a distinct personality in a field of increasingly sterile EVs. Its controversial styling may not have won over everyone, but at least it wasn’t boring.

Coupes Live On — For Now

For the traditionalists, there’s good news: the 4 Series Coupe (G22) and Convertible (G23), along with the M4 siblings (G82 and G83), are expected to soldier on until at least mid-2029. That’s nearly five more years of six-cylinder soundtracks and manual-transmission joy.

So while the Gran Coupe may fade out, the coupe bloodline isn’t going anywhere just yet.

A Body Style on the Brink

With the 8 Series Gran Coupe not long for this world and no confirmed successor in the pipeline, the entire “Gran Coupe” sub-brand could be facing extinction. After 2027, the only one left standing might be the compact 2 Series Gran Coupe — a car that, ironically, isn’t even rear-wheel-drive.

BMW has always liked to experiment with body styles, sometimes hitting home runs (hello, X6M) and sometimes producing curiosities like the 4 Series Gran Coupe. But as the company pivots toward electrification and streamlined production, these niche models may be first on the chopping block.

The End of a Beautiful Oddball

If the 4 Series Gran Coupe truly bows out in 2027, it won’t be a shock — just a quiet goodbye for one of BMW’s more charming misfits. It might not have been the purist’s choice, but it was never meant to be.

The G26 Gran Coupe existed in its own weird space: too stylish for the accountants, too practical for the purists — and maybe that’s what made it so interesting.

Source: bimmerpost

NEW CARS

BMW Canada Celebrates 50 Years with the M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition

Fifty years ago, BMW launched a small, boxy sports sedan that would go on to define the brand’s DNA. Now, as the 3 Series hits the half-century mark, BMW Canada is celebrating with a special-edition model that pays homage to its heritage — the 2026 BMW M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition. Limited to just 100 units, this Canada-exclusive model mixes nostalgia with modern performance in a way that only BMW seems to get right.

At first glance, the 50 Jahre Edition doesn’t shout about its significance — it whispers it. Each example is finished in one of six classic hues pulled from the BMW Individual catalog, each tied to a specific 3 Series generation. Think Madeira Red Metallic from the E21, Avus Blue Metallic from the E36, or the rich Carbon Black Metallic that graced the E46. These colors aren’t just paint; they’re touchstones in a 50-year story of driving joy.

The subtle upgrades continue with 20-inch forged M Performance wheels in Ferric Grey, an M Performance exhaust, and a cabin lined in BMW Individual Merino leather. Open the door, and the sills quietly remind you why this one’s special: “3 Series 50 Jahre Edition.” A small metal plaque on the cupholder cover finishes the job, marking each car as one of 100. No flamboyant badging. No loud anniversary logos. Just quiet confidence — exactly what you want from a 3 Series.

Powering the celebration is a familiar heart: BMW’s B58 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six. With 382 horsepower on tap, it remains one of the smoothest and most characterful sixes in the business — muscular, refined, and endlessly flexible. Paired with xDrive all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic, it turns the M340i into the kind of everyday sports sedan that punches far above its weight class. BMW didn’t need to change a thing under the hood, and wisely, it didn’t.

If the M3 is the headline act, the M340i has always been the deep cut — the one enthusiasts know. It’s the car that bridges BMW’s dual personalities: performance and polish. And this 50 Jahre Edition underscores that balance perfectly. It doesn’t rewrite the 3 Series formula; it celebrates it.

Production kicks off in Germany this November, with Canadian deliveries set for early 2026. Every car gets a numbered plaque, sealing its place in the 3 Series timeline. Given the limited run and historical nods, this might just be one of the most collectible modern 3ers in recent memory — not because it’s the fastest or the most powerful, but because it captures the essence of what made the 3 Series great in the first place.

After all, fifty years on, the 3 Series still defines the sweet spot between sport and sophistication. And the M340i xDrive 50 Jahre Edition is the birthday toast it deserves.

Source: BMW

News

BMW’s Solid-State Future Takes Shape: From Lab Dreams to Road Reality

BMW’s long-standing flirtation with solid-state batteries is starting to look more like a full-fledged commitment. This week, Colorado-based Solid Power announced a new three-way collaboration with Samsung SDI and BMW to bring all-solid-state battery (ASSB) technology out of the lab and into a real-world test vehicle.

For years, BMW has quietly been building the foundation for its next-generation energy strategy. Now, it’s ready to show that all the chemistry experiments and cleanroom work can actually move metal.

From Prototypes to Proof

The BMW–Solid Power relationship isn’t new—it goes back to 2017, when the two companies signed their first development agreement. By 2021, BMW had its hands on the first prototype cells, which were immediately shipped off to the automaker’s Cell Manufacturing Competence Center (CMCC) near Munich. This facility, purpose-built for testing future cell formats and production techniques, has been at the heart of BMW’s battery evolution ever since.

By late 2023, BMW had advanced to the “A-sample” stage — industry shorthand for early production-quality prototypes. Earlier this year, reports surfaced of a BMW i7 test car quietly running around Munich with a sulfide-based electrolyte from Solid Power under its floor.

This latest chapter adds a heavyweight to the roster: Samsung SDI. The Korean battery giant will use Solid Power’s sulfide-based solid electrolyte to build complete cells, which will then be tested jointly by BMW and Samsung to validate performance. The ultimate goal? A fully functional BMW demonstration vehicle powered entirely by solid-state batteries.

Why Solid-State Matters

Solid-state batteries are the holy grail of EV technology. By replacing the liquid electrolyte in conventional lithium-ion cells with a solid material, they promise major leaps in energy density, safety, and longevity. They run cooler, pack more power into less space, and drastically reduce fire risk — all of which could help shrink battery size and weight while extending range.

The catch, as always, is cost. Producing these cells at scale remains expensive and complex. That’s why BMW is playing the long game. Executives have repeatedly said that solid-state won’t appear in production cars until around 2030 — once the technology is both affordable and manufacturable in meaningful volumes.

The Road to Reality

BMW isn’t waiting around for the chemistry to catch up. The automaker has invested heavily in its battery infrastructure, particularly at its Parsdorf CMCC facility near Munich. This center is designed not just for today’s lithium-ion Gen6 round cells — which will power the upcoming Neue Klasse models — but also to pivot toward solid-state production when the time is right.

Solid Power, meanwhile, is pursuing a smart business model. Rather than trying to compete directly in cell manufacturing, it’s positioning itself as a supplier of key materials — particularly its proprietary sulfide-based solid electrolyte — to established Tier 1 manufacturers and automakers.

A Marathon, Not a Sprint

In an industry obsessed with rapid breakthroughs, BMW’s approach to solid-state technology is refreshingly methodical. The brand’s philosophy seems clear: don’t rush a revolution; engineer it. The transition from lab samples to an actual test vehicle marks a crucial step forward — one that turns theoretical advantages into tangible results.

If all goes according to plan, the next BMW test car running silently through Munich might not just be another electric sedan — it could be a glimpse at the battery tech that defines the next decade of EV performance.

Bottom line: BMW, Solid Power, and Samsung SDI aren’t just developing a new battery; they’re building the blueprint for the next generation of electric mobility — one solid cell at a time.

Source: BMW