The introduction of the BMW i4 appears to be a multi-stage rocket. Little by little, BMW released more information about the electric i4. Today the car in its entirety makes its debut. BMW also immediately announces the prices of the electric Gran Coupé.
Highlights BMW i4
- Electric Gran Coupe in two flavors
- M50 as first electric M model alongside eDrive40
- Starting price: €60,697
- Up to 590 kilometers range
BMW showed in March last year with the Concept i4 a concrete harbinger of the electric i4 as it is now on your screen. In fact, you should see the i4 as the electric version of the new 4-series Gran Coupé yet to be presented. In March this year, BMW provided relatively extensive information about the electric i4, although the brand omitted specific data about the various powertrains with which the car will be available. Until today. BMW not only releases all technical specifications, we also know immediately what the BMW i4 should cost.
BMW i4 eDrive40
Prices BMW i4
To start with the prices of the electric BMW i4: the starting price of the BMW i4 eDrive40 is €60,697. For the electric M Performance version that listens to the name i4 M50 you have lost € 73,496.
Engine versions
The BMW i4 eDrive40 has a 340 hp and 430 Nm strong electric motor that drives the rear wheels. Whoever gives the i4 eDrive40 a lot on his failure, should be able to get the electric BMW in 5.7 counts at a speed of 100 km/h. Its top speed is limited to 190 km/h. The 80.7 kWh battery pack that is incorporated in the bottom provides the BMW i4 eDrive40 with a range of no less than 590 kilometers determined via the WLTP method. The eDrive40 has adaptive dampers, air suspension and Dynamic Stability Control as standard. An M chassis is optional. The i4 eDrive40 has 17-inch alloy wheels as standard, although larger options are available as an option.
BMW i4 M50
The i4 M50 seems to remain the top version of the range. This M Performance version has two electric motors that together produce 544 hp and 795 Nm of torque. This zooms the i4 M50 to a speed of 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds. Its top speed is limited to 225 km/h. The fact that this version has two instead of one electric motor naturally results in a smaller range. The BMW i4 eDrive M50 squeezes up to 510 kilometers (WLTP) from its 80.7 kWh battery pack. The M50 can be recognized from the outside by its black accents, its own bumper work and its rear spoiler. The i40 M50 has an adaptive M chassis, an additional strut bridge at the front, Variable Sport Steering, M sports brakes and – optionally – 20-inch alloy M wheels. 18-inch M alloy is standard.
The i4 can charge up to 200 kW and, with that charging capacity, can of course be filled with fresh electricity fairly quickly. The i4 can be charged in 8.5 hours on an 11 kW charger. If you check the optional towbar on the order list, you can tow up to 1,600 kilos with the electric i4.
Dimensions and appearance
The BMW i4 is 4.79 meters long, which makes it a good 15 centimeters longer than the previous generation 4-series Gran Coupé. The distance between the front and rear axles is 2.86 meters. The five-seater has a boot that measures 470 litres, 10 liters less than the previous-generation 4-series Gran Coupé, which was only available with petrol and diesel engines. If you throw the back seat flat, you can stow up to 1,290 in the electric i4.
BMW i4
The BMW i4 has full-LED headlights as standard, relatively flat ones that are optionally replaced by adaptive LED viewers with Laserlight technology and a high-beam assistant. The i4 eDrive40 is optionally available with the Model M Sport and M Carbon package to give the car a sportier look. Of course there is more to personalize. M Performance Parts will be available and the interior can be dressed with Sensatec and Vernasca leather available in five colours. A combination of both materials is also possible and BMW also has its Individual department where you can shop for, among other things, Merino leather.
Interior
The interior of the BMW i4 is no longer a surprise. Recently we were able to show you the first pictures of the i4 interior. Although the dashboard looks less futuristic than that of the Concept i4, it is not identical to the interior of the 3 and 4 series. For example, the center console is slightly different than you are used to. It is done in the i4 with the small digital screen that has nestled in the 3 and 4 series between the ventilation grilles. The series of buttons placed under the ventilation grilles with which you control the climate control in the 3 and 4 series is also not to be found in the i4. The series of buttons that is below that in the 3 and 4 series and with which you operate the audio system, among other things, has been adjusted. From now on, this will include the button for the hazard lights. The physical volume knob and the ‘next and previous track/channel’ buttons remain, although the latter are now located directly next to the volume knob. On top of the dashboard is a curved panel, the BMW Curved Display, in which a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation and the 14.9-inch large infotainment screen are processed. The latter screen is linked to BMW’s latest generation iDrive, version eight already. We may also see this new display in the 3-series and 4-series Coupé and Cabrio after the LCI.
BMW i4
As far as safety systems are concerned, the i4 is nicely capped. For example, the EV is available with automatic Speed Limit Assist with traffic sign recognition and adaptive cruise control with stop&go function (optional). Front Collision Warning, Speed Limit Info and Lane Deperture Warning are standard. Driving Assistant with Rear Collision Prevention and Crossing Traffic Warning at the rear are optional. Also available: a more extensive version of Driving Assistant (Professional) that keeps the i4 neatly within the lines at a speed of up to 180 km/h.
More to come
BMW still has a mountain of electrical news in the pipeline. For example, the 3-series gets a fully electric i3 next to it and the flagship 7-series also gets an electric brother in the form of the i7. Unlike the iX3, i3 and i4, the i7 is on its own platform. You can read more about this here. This iX will also be launched in the second half of this year.