BMW is taking the fight to the likes of Tesla’s Model 3 with the first-ever i4, which is said to be the company’s most dynamic all-electric car to date. It’s also coming to South Africa, in the first quarter of 2022, along with the iX crossover EV.
The new BMW i4 is built around a flexible vehicle architecture, meaning it uses the combustion-engined 4 Series structure as a starting point. In fact, barring for the blacked out grille, this could very easily be mistaken for the next-generation 4 Series Gran Coupe.
Being BMW’s most driver-focused EV to date, the Bavarian automaker has also created an M variant. This M40 model has a twin-motor all-wheel drive set-up that provides 400 kW and a hearty 795 N.m, and the ability to launch the car from 0-100 km/h in 3,9 seconds.
BMW will also be offering a single-motor rear-wheel drive model called the eDrive40. This one offers 250 kW, 430 N.m and a 0-100 time of 5,7 seconds.
BMW mentions a range of 590 km between charges for the eDrive40 variant and 510 km for the M50, measured on the WLTP cycle. The high-voltage batteries allow for DC charging at up to 200 kW, meaning that when plugged in at a high-voltage station, around 150 km of range can be achieved in just 10 minutes of charging.
Interestingly, with the batteries stashed in the floor area, the BMW i4 has a centre of gravity of up to 53 mm lower than that of the 3 Series. The uniquely tuned chassis of the i4 also includes rear air suspension as well as near-actuator wheel slip limitation, which is said to optimise traction and directional stability in all road and weather conditions.
Although you’ll see hints of the 4 Series in the cabin, the new BMW i4 is set apart by a new generation iDrive display system that includes a curved screen that’s angled towards the driver. This fully digital display comprises a 12,3 inch instrument cluster and 14,9 inch central infotainment display. Furthermore, the Intelligent Personal Assistant has gained additional skills, BMW says, as well as a new graphic to communicate with the car’s occupants.
The tech package includes cloud-based navigation and over-the-air software updates, as well as available semi-autonomous driving capability through the combination of Active Cruise Control and Steering and Lane Control Assistant.
South African prices and specifications for the BMW i4 will be announced closer to launch.