BMW M4 Gran Coupe ruled out over cost concerns

BMW has ruled out any plans to offer an M4 Gran Coupe model, which, were one to be created, would be based on the regular 4 Series Gran Coupe model.

According to BMW M performance arm sales boss, Jörg Bartels, the car was considered and a business case developed, but it didn’t meet criteria to make it to production.

“The M4 Gran Coupe was evaluated concerning its volume potential on one side. And on the other side also on the cost that such a concept would have,” Bartels said.

“Due to the difference in production location with the 4 Series Gran Coupe – in Dingolfing where we also have 5, 6 and 7 Series (as opposed to being built alongside the M3 sedan and M4 Coupe in Munich) – so we would need to build up a new place of production for parts of the M4,” Bartels said.

He confirmed it was cost that ruled the car out of contention for production.

“Finally, it was not profitable, so it was not decided [to be offered],” Bartels said.

Another aspect of the car being struck from the list may have been the fact an M4 Gran Coupe could have stolen sales from the M3 sedan. This wasn’t an explicit factor, according to Bartels.

“Each time when we bring a new M automobile, we also take into account the customers that come from other M automobiles, from BMW automobiles and also new customers. This is always taken into account once we do business cases,” Bartels said.

“With the product strategy that we have, and the models that we have, we are really happy.

It doesn’t seem likely that BMW M will shy away from other vehicles in the 4 line, though. When asked if an X4 M would be likely, Bartels didn’t state there woudn’t be one – instead, he said: “There’s nothing communicated yet about the X4”.

However, as CarAdvice has reported in the past, there has been a question over an X4 M and what potential sales such a model may attract.

The M division also hasn't ruled out potential plans for an M version of the all-new X1.