BMW 4 Series facing the axe - report

BMW has a long list of legendary names, but 4 Series isn’t one of them.

Introduced in 2014 as a coupe (and liftback) sibling to the long-running 3 Series, BMW Blogreports the petrol-powered 4 Series won’t be renewed for a third generation.

Unlike some niche products, the petrol and diesel 4 Series range hasn’t been a sales flop.

It’s sold strongly in the USA since launch, and in Australia outsold the Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe and convertible last year.

But with its slinkier design, BMW Blog reports the next-generation 3 Series (previewed by the Vision Neue Klasse concept) will encroach too far into the 4 Series’ turf to justify offering both.

That doesn’t mean the extended 4 Series range will die, however. The same report says the i4 badge will live on affixed to an electric coupe and convertible.

German brands are in the process of slimming their ranges, having expanded to fill every available niche throughout the 2000s.

Mercedes-Benz has already merged the C-Class and E-Class coupe ranges into a single CLE model, and the slow-selling CLS four-door coupe is reportedly facing the axe.

Also in the firing line are the small A-Class and B-Class, according to a report from German newspaper Handelsblatt.

It comes as big luxury brands look to pad their profits, rather than chase volume.

MORE: Everything BMW 4 Series