BMW i4 EV sports sedan: Speed, battery range, specs for all-electric performance vehicle
The i4 is the first electric BMW sports sedan, and it aims to redefine what an EV is.
The BMW i4 is BMW’s first all-electric performance vehicle and the German sports sedan has been designed with driving dynamics and long-distance Autobahn-cruising comfort in mind.
Among other things, the i4’s center of gravity is several inches lower than a BMW 3 Series Sedan and the electric motors are manufactured without using any rare earth minerals. A rear air suspension is standard, with an automatic self-leveling feature to maintain a constant ride height even with a heavy load — and to handle the battery’s considerable weight.
There are two i4 models:
- The rear-wheel-drive, single motor i4 eDrive40
- The dual-motor, all-wheel-drive i4 M50
With as much as 536 horsepower and 200 kW DC fast charging, BMW hopes to deliver the Ultimate (electric) Driving Machine. We’ll have to get behind the wheel to see if they’ve managed it. The i4 M50 manages an almost-ideal weight distribution of 48/52 as well as an impressive drag coefficient of just 0.25.
Here’s everything you need to know about the BMW i4, from price and specs to range and charging time.
This story is developing and this report will be updated as more information becomes available...
The i4 M50 is the sportier M-variant of the i4, tweaked by BMW’s in-house tuning shop. It includes an adaptive M suspension, special anti-roll bars, variable sport steering, improved brakes, and fancier wheels.
What’s the range of the BMW i4?
There are two different BMW i4 models, each with two different wheel options — and they all have different range estimates:
- 301 miles - BMW i4 eDrive 40 with 18-inch wheels
- 282 miles - BMW i4 eDrive 40 with 19-inch wheels (with performance tires)
- 270 miles - BMW i4 M50 with 19-inch wheels (with performance tires)
- 227 miles - BMW i4 M50 with 20-inch wheels (with high-performance tires)
How fast can I charge the BMW i4?
The i4 is capable of charging at up to 200 kW via a DC fast charger, and both versions of the i4 work identically. They’re fitted with an 81.5 kWh usable battery capacity (83.9 kWh gross).
BMW says the i4 can charge up to 90 miles of range in 10 minutes at top speed. Filling the battery from 10 to 80 percent should take around 31 minutes on a DC fast charger.
Using a Level 2 residential charger, the i4 can charge itself at up to 11 kW. That means it’ll run from 0 to 100 percent in a bit under 8 hours.
The blue accents on the shift knob and the start/stop button are a nod to the electric nature of the car, an accent theme that continues on the exterior depending on which color is fitted.
How much horsepower and torque does the BMW i4 have?
The BMW i4 eDrive 40 makes 335 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque from its single rear motor.
The i4 M50 makes a combined 536 horsepower from its two motors, as well as 586 lb-ft of combined torque. The two motors means it has all-wheel drive, too.
What’s the 0-60 time and top speed of the BMW i4?
BMW says the i4 M50 should hit 0-60 mph in under 3.7 seconds, and continue on to a top speed of 140 mph (with the proper wheels fitted).
The more genteel i4 eDrive40 model runs from 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds and it has a top speed of 118 mph.
The BMW i4 eDrive40 doesn’t look too different from a standard gasoline-powered car. The blue accents around the grille and below the doors are the biggest giveaway that there’s something special here. That and the fact that it doesn’t make any noise.
Is the BMW i4 self-driving?
It is not. The i4 includes a suite of BMW advanced driver assist systems, including the optional Driving Assistant Professional feature that combines an advanced Lane Keeping Assistant with Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go.
Between the two, the i4 has an SAE Level 2 driver-assist system. The lane-keeping assist works up to 112 mph and uses visible lane markings and vehicles in the lane ahead to provide steering assistance.
Turn on the Active Cruise function and the dashboard screen will show images of cars, trucks, and motorcycles recognized by the camera and radar sensors at the front of the vehicle. This confirms that the i4 is seeing everything it should.
Though you can’t drive the i4 completely hands-free, it will allow for brief periods where you can take your hand off the wheel, though you should never do that.
The advanced driver assist system in the BMW i4 can help drivers stay in their lane, maintain speed, and even make lane changes safely.
When will the BMW i4 go on sale?
The US market launch of the BMW i4 is expected in the first quarter of 2022.
What’s the price of the BMW i4?
The BMW i4 eDrive 40 starts at $56,395, while the i4 M50 starts at $66,895. Numerous options including Adaptive M suspension, M Sport brakes, an M Carbon exterior package, adaptive LED headlights with Laserlight, and many more will run the price up from there.
Both cars are eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit plus any applicable state incentives.
How can I order the BMW i4?
Contact your local BMW dealer to place an order for the new BMW i4.
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