BMW i4: Price, release date, interior, range, and more

BMW i4: Price, release date, interior, range, and more than

(Image credit: BMW)

BMW i4

Release Date: Jump 2022
Price: From $55,400
Power: 2 motor, AWD
Battery Range: 301 miles
0 to 60 mph: 3.7 seconds
Smarts: 8th gen iDrive

The BMW i4 was shown off recently, with BMW directly pitching production-spec saloon against the Tesla Model three. The all-electric i4 volition bring together the BMW i3 electric hatchback, a new BMW iX3 mid-sized SUV and the BMW 9 high-performance SUV to boost the company's plans for expanding its growing EV lineup.

The Munich-based auto manufacturer has had concept visions of the car doing the rounds for some time now, and the production ready model doesn't expect too unlike. Along with an exterior that's dominated past BMW'southward electric current penchant for huge imposing grilles, much like that seen on the new BMW 4 Series, the interior promises minimalist refinement and plenty on the tech and infotainment front.

BMW i4: Toll and release engagement

Pricing for the BMW i4 is set to get-go at $55,400 for the lowest spec model, which only comes with a unmarried electric motor. Meanwhile the operation model will set you dorsum $65,900. That makes it more expensive that the entry-level Tesla Model 3, 1 of the cars BMW seems to exist competing with.

Another quality EV alternative, the Polestar 2, comes in at effectually the same cost point, which could prove to be a tempting puzzler for buyers looking to move up to their first electric saloon. Many might prefer the benefit of a long-established brand like BMW.

BMW says that the kickoff deliveries for the i4 start in March 2022. All the same, orders that came later will not be delivered until June 30, 2022. The earliest commitment dates appear to have sold out, and then pre-ordering one today means waiting until at to the lowest degree summer.

BMW i4 M50 vs eDrive40

Two different BMW i4 models will exist going on sale next yr. The base of operations-level i4 eDrive40, and the i4 M50. The M50 comes from BMW's M Division, which is designed to produce enhanced cars to supplement BMW's road automobile portfolio.

BMW has described the M50 as the "first purely electric performance car from BMW 1000". Naturally that performance comes at a price, and you'll be paying over $10,000 more for the M50 than the $55,400 it will price to purchase an eDrive xl model.

Simply there will be more power under the hood to become you where you need to get speedily. While the eDrive40 can hit 0-60mph in 5.7 seconds, the M50 does it in just 3.9 using a 'Sport Boost' push to get you full employ of the 537bhp and 586lb ft of torque.

That power comes from two electrical motors that offers all-wheel drive, The eDrive forty, by comparison, simply has a single motor driving the rear wheels.

The downside is that the M50 model is not as efficient, and suffers past the fact it has the aforementioned battery equally the eDrive 40. That means the official range guess is just 270 miles — 31 miles less than the eDrive xl.

From a pattern perspective, that's about all there is to differentiate the 2 cars. They both look functionally the same, and their 83.9kWh batteries can handle up to 200kW charging speeds.

BMW i4: Range, battery and operation

BMW i4: range and charging — (Image credit: BMW)

The BMW i4 is set up to use an 83.9 kWh bombardment, with a weight estimated to be around 550kg, to ability a single electric motor. Equally a upshot the car will exist heavy, but operation promises to exist impressive. That'southward thanks to the BMW i4 featuring the company's the eighth-generation system iDrive control organization, BMW's most powerful to date, to help milk the nigh from that powertrain.

Official EPA range figure offer up to 301 miles of range for the eDrive40 model, provided you opt for the 18-inch wheel configuration. Larger wheels ever cause a reduction, so opting for 19-inch rims means your range will drop to 282 miles.

Meanwhile the M50 model comes packing a maximum of 270 miles with nineteen-inch wheels, while the 20-inch configuration offers a significantly lower 227 miles. Which is, honestly, pretty low for a premium EV. That'due south what happens when all four variants characteristic the aforementioned bombardment.

It also shows what happens to range when you have an automobile with more than of a functioning focus. Still, the M50's performance is pretty impressive from the sounds of things. The car's 'Sport Boost' mode will likewise get yous from zero to 62mph in a pretty tidy 3.7 seconds and top speed is expected to be over 130mph.

Meanwhile the eDrive40 tops out at 118mph, with a060 time of 5.5 seconds. Then it's no slouch, but patently there are much faster cars on the roads.

Interestingly range figures show merely how much of a difference you can go by testing range under unlike standards. The figures above all came from the EPA'south range testing and are significantly lower than those calculated per the European WLTP standard. There the eDrive40 has up to 365 miles of range, while the M50 has up to 318.

That's a huge departure, and plain we won't know which figure is more accurate until people start driving the i4 on existent roads.

Charging the car should exist quick at least, with the i4 existence uniform with 200kW charging points. If you can detect one and so the eDrive40 tin can regain 108 miles of range in 10 minutes, while the M50 will pull in simply 88 miles of range in the same time. Again, it seems that extra power comes with some downsides.

BMW i4: Design and interior

The BMW i4's forepart end is dominated past another one of its wild grille designs, while bright blue flourishes around the auto highlight that it'due south an all-electrical creation. The i4 is also longer than a BMW 4 Series Coupe considering of its four doors, although its profile notwithstanding looks quite sleek. Circular at the dorsum, the rear end packs more blue styling touches, forth with a diffuser that helps to break up the blueprint thanks to its contrasting color.

Central to the interior volition exist the iDrive control system, which will be based effectually crisp new loftier-resolution displays and a host of touch controls. Indeed, BMW's dazzling new curved display is expected to exist a highlight, and follows the theme as seen in previews of the nine SUV. In that model there's a 12.3-inch instrument brandish mated with a 14.ix-inch infotainment screen, which boasts a resolution of 200ppi.

Both the digital instruments and the infotainment will be controlled via a rotary dial located on the center console. Over-the-air updates volition mean that new features and functions can be added over time and without the need for a visit to the dealership.

Driving options volition come from a trio of modes: Core, Sport and Efficient allowing drivers to cull betwixt operation and battery usage, or both. Watch for a related feature that will let owners change the i4'southward outside graphics and lighting effects depending on the manner selected. This experience is said to come complete with custom audio effects developed in collaboration with Hans Zimmer, the Hollywood composer.

BMW i4: Democratic driving

bmw i4 autonomous driving — (Paradigm credit: BMW)

The BMW i4 will come up with Level two driver assistance features. The car doesn't come shut to offering full driver-free autonomy, simply what information technology does have does accept the pressure level off the commuter for a more relaxed and easy ride.

Those features include lane keeping, bullheaded-spot detection, emergency braking, and adaptive prowl control. Those are all fairly standard on well-nigh mid-range electric cars right now, so there'southward zero particularly special about what the i4 has to offer.

Particularly since it volition likely require the driver to go along their hands on the wheel, even if the car is doing some of the steering by itself.

BMW i4: Outlook

The BMW i4 may toll more than the Tesla Model 3, but you also take to consider that information technology'south been designed every bit a luxury car. Compared to other luxury electric vehicles and both BMW i4 models look pretty cheap by comparison. At the very least the i4 will appeal to drivers who desire that premium badge on their driveway.

Every bit for the range, 245 to 300 miles doesn't sound neat. Information technology's not terrible, but it certainly could be improve. Especially when you consider the college range estimates beingness advertised on the same cars in Europe. Still the figures could be worse, though the performance-geared i4 M50 isn't quite every bit highly-seasoned there, but you notwithstanding the actress speed and ability in exchange.

BMW's luxury design and reputation certainly makes the i4 an appealing car, as does the not-too-unreasonable price tag. However we just we we could have got a few extra miles of range out of them — specially M50.