BMW set to launch new electric i4 saloon in November
BMW has revealed the production details for its new electric saloon, the i4, which boasts over 360 miles of range.
The i4 is the first all-electric premium car from the BMW Group and will look to compete with the Tesla Model 3 and the Polestar 2 when it is released in November this year.
Much like the Tesla, the new i4 will have over 300 miles of range, with a WLTP combined range of 367 miles.
The BMW i4 will be available in three different model variants from launch, including the first-ever BMW M car with an all-electric drive. The BMW i4 M50 is powered by a 190kW electric motor at the front axle and a 230kW version at the rear, which combine to produce 544hp. 0-62mph can also be achieved in a swift 3.9 seconds.
The BMW i4 M50 is a performance model from BMW M GmbH and, according to the manufacturer, delivers “extreme driving enjoyment, bringing the classic M formula of agility, dynamism and precision to the world of electric mobility.”
The high operating range of the BMW i4 can also be attributed to the gravimetric energy density of its high-voltage battery, which has been upped by 20% in comparison to the BMW i3. New charging technology will also allow the BMW i4 models to be charged at 200kW, increasing range by 102 miles in the BMW i4 eDrive40 in just ten minutes.
Hooking up the high-voltage battery to a conventional domestic power socket or a Wallbox allows it to be fed with AC power from both single-phase and three-phase mains connections, at a charging rate of up to 11kW. Using this method, the BMW i4 can recharge its battery from totally empty to 100% in under 8.5 hours.
BMW i4 customers in the UK will also gain access to one of the world’s largest public charging networks, using just one RFID card or App.
First look
Short overhangs, slim pillars, doors with frameless windows all feature to create a classic BMW coupé mould. According to BMW, the BMW i4 “combines the hallmark sporting aesthetic of the brand’s coupés with the comfort of a four-door car and a practical appeal enhanced by features including a large tailgate.”
Models will come with 18” wheels as standard and the i4 will also be fitted with sports seats and a sport steering wheel. The 12.3-inch information display and 14.9-inch control display will also be included, as well as BMW’s Operating System 8 which will offer over 40 driving controls.
The BMW Curved Display in the BMW i4 is held in place by a supporting structure that is concealed from the occupants’ view, so it appears to be standing freely in the cockpit, and The BMW Live Cockpit Plus fitted as standard. This includes an audio system with DAB+ tuner, six speakers and an output of 100 watts.
In the UK, the BMW i4 range will cost from £51,905 with the M50 model starting from £63,905, with the earliest models expected from November this year.
