Auto companies are racing to build ground-based EV platforms to take advantage of the packaging and efficiency that come with platforms designed for batteries and electric motors from the ground up.
In the interim, stopping distance measures such as retrofitting EV components to the internal combustion platform are being used to close the gap.
The BMW i4 is BMW’s answer to Tesla Model 3, Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5will also compete with the Hyundai Ioniq 6 when it launches next year.
Tesla, Hyundai and Kia are all based on dedicated EV platforms, so can the i4 consider it a serious competitor?
How much is the BMW i4?
Start from $99,900 plus on-road costsinput level 2022 BMW i4 eDrive40 Sold in Australia as a single trim level. There’s only one other variant in the i4, i4 M50 range, priced from $124,900 plus off-road vehicles.
There are several option packs available for both variants.
Visibility Plan: $5800 (eDrive40)
- Metallic paint (BMW Individual not included)
- Electric glass roof
- BMW Laserlight Headlight
Comfort Package: $1500 (eDrive40), $1300 (M50)
- Hot handlebars
- Lumbar support (eDrive40)
- Heated front seats (eDrive40)
- Heated front/rear seats (M50)
M Sport Plus Package: $1700 (eDrive40), $1200 (M50)
- M Lights Shadowline (darkened)
- US seat belt
- Rear spoiler M (eDrive40)
- High-gloss M Shadowline with expanded content
Executive Package: $3600 (eDrive40), $2100 (M50)
- Tire pressure monitoring
- Alarm system
- Sunglasses
- harmonic surround sound / kardon (eDrive40)
- BMW Drive Recorder
There are 12 colors available with one of the colors exclusive to the M50. In addition to white, color prices vary from $2000 to $4700.
What’s inside the BMW i4 eDrive40?
One of the benefits of working with an existing platform is the familiar design, both externally and internally.
And, inside the cabin is where the i4 really shines. The i4 uses an infotainment system and a large screen for the first time in a completely new version BMW iX.
That’s a good thing because the new infotainment system features the BMW iDrive 8, which is the latest version of BMW’s flagship infotainment system.
That means two large screens measuring 14.9 inches for the central infotainment screen and 12.3 inches for the driving display. The infotainment screen is controlled as a touchscreen or using the iDrive controller near the center console.
It has both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with voice recognition, built-in satellite navigation, and connectivity services. There’s a 10-speaker sound system, in addition to AM, FM and DAB+ radios.
The sound system is good, but the optional Damagean/kardon sound system with 16 speakers is where you want to get premium sound. It’s a ripper sound system and well worth the investment.
Outside of the outstanding specs, this infotainment system is easy to use, has a high-definition display, and isn’t long for any features. It also sits on top of the dashboard which is very nice.
In front of the driver is another screen that can be configured to show any number of driver options and will change its display style depending on the selected driving mode.
There’s also a wireless smartphone charging dock and two USB charging ports.
Legroom and headroom in the front row are good, but they all face the worst in the second row. It’s a rather cramped space with limited knee, head and toe room. It also has a drippy hump, which is where it hangs up from the internal combustion platform – ground-based electric cars like the Model 3, EV6 and Ioniq 5 all have flat floors in the second row.
There’s a central armrest with two cup holders, USB charging and third zone climate control. The two outboard seats have ISOFIX points and have three top connection points. Both the first and second rows of seats miss out on seat heating in standard spec.
Strangely the windows rolled down half way when any of the doors opened. It is not uncommon for a door without a window frame to have to lower the window a bit when opening and closing, but it is certainly unusual for the window to roll down almost half way each time.
There may be a setting that solves this problem, but we couldn’t find it when we rummaged through the menus.
On the commodity front there are 470 liters volume with the second row in the correct position. That expands to 1290L with the second row folded flat. Beneath the cargo floor, you’ll find a tire repair kit.
You won’t find any storage under the bonnet and the amount of storage below the cargo floor is limited.
What’s under the bonnet?
The entry-level BMW i4 uses a single electric motor mounted on the rear axle. It produces 250kW power and 430Nm of torque.
Single electric motor sends torque to the rear wheel and uses 84kWh battery. It quotes a 590km The WLTP certified driving range and official economic figure is 16-20kWh/100km.
On the charging front, the AC charger reaches 11kW on a three-phase circuit.
DC charging is quite impressive with a maximum charge rate of 200kW and an average of 120kW during the charge cycle.
How to BMW i4 drive eDrive40?
Like a combustion engine 4 Linesyou enter, exit and start the i4 the same way with the start key and button.
However, a completely different experience is what follows. BMW invited renowned composer Hans Zimmer to develop the vehicle’s ‘Iconic Sounds’ function.
When you turn it on, off, or press the accelerator hard, a Zimmer-designed noise is emitted from the speaker.
It actually sounds pretty cool and isn’t as dull as some automakers when it comes to the kind of noise that comes out of the speakers when you hit the gas. It can also be completely disabled if it’s not your jam.
It seems that BMW is also changing its dynamics philosophy. I first noticed it on iX and it seems to follow up with i4. Driving is deliberately restrained and more comfortable than in comparable internal combustion engine versions of the same vehicle.
In the case of the i4, the ride is comfortable and noiseless in and around the city. It doesn’t bother with minor road imperfections, and there’s a noticeable difference between Comfort and Sport modes. Usually, a BMW will be too stiff and only become more solid as you progress through the driving modes.
It also helps the i4 ride on standard 19-inch alloy wheels with 40-shaped tyres.
This powertrain combination is also perfect for the chassis. There’s just enough power to entertain and accelerate when you need it, while the battery is large enough to provide excellent driving range.
It’s heavier than the Tesla Model 3 – i4 eDrive40 weighs just over 2000kg, while the equivalent Model 3 Long Range weighs just under 1850kg. This is the downside of using a transitional internal combustion platform to load EV components.
But strangely, going out on the street did not feel like that. Like the 4 Series, the i4 feels incredibly agile and fun to drive. In fact, the morning we were filming, it was raining and in closed conditions with all driver aids turned off, the i4 was just as enjoyable and engaging as a rear-wheel drive petrol version of the 4. Series.
BMW uses an intelligent electronic differential lock to emulate the LSD, which means you can hang it out and handle it like you would with a sporty 4 Series.
That story continues around corners and at higher speeds, where the super-responsive powertrain constantly delivers a smile.
The rear-wheel drive feel mimics exactly what you’d expect to feel in an internal combustion Series 4 and that’s something that can’t be denied about some cars in this segment.
The Bespoke EV platform tends to sit in large wheelchairs and this, along with the lower battery weight, causes a lack of body control when the body swings – something we’ve seen before with the Ioniq 5 when We test it at our proof site.
On the other hand, the i4 is extremely calm and, most importantly, for a BMW, very enjoyable to drive.
There could be some work to be done on the regen modes, though – I’d love to see Tesla/Hyundai/Kia style single-pedal driving work a little more aggressively and smarter than the current setup on i4.
Visibility from the front and sides is great – it’s a bit compromised out of the rear window, but it’s not the end of the world. At lower speeds, you’ll notice a sizable rev at 12.5m, larger than expected for a rear-wheel drive car.
Just like at low speeds, the ride is great at higher speeds and complements the chassis.
During our driving, we managed a combined average of about 20kWh/100km. The car’s ‘from the factory’ readings are just above 18kWh/100km. This should result in a real-world driving range of around 444 km.
What do you get?
Highlights of BMW i4 eDrive40:
- USA Sports Package
- Adaptive M suspension
- Convenient access system
- Brakes M Sport
- Driver assistance specialist
- Parking Assistant Plus
- Leather ‘Vernasca’
- Instrument panel in Sensatec
- 19 inch M light alloy wheels
- Sports seats for driver and front passenger
- BMW head-up monitor
- LED headlights included. High beam assistant
- Automatic rear door
- Electric seats
- Ambient light
- Galvanic modifier for controls
- Storage compartment pack
- Pass-through system
- Live Cockpit Professional
- Professional Connection Pack
- Wireless Apple CarPlay / Android Auto
- HiFi speaker system, 10 speakers
- Wireless charging
- DAB + digital radio
- BMW IconicSounds Electric
- Chargefox 5 years unlimited charging
- Domestic charger Model 2
- Public charging cable Model 3
The BMW i4 M50 adds the following:
- M Performance tuning and factors
- xDrive (AWD)
- Waist support
- Seat heating, front
- BMW Laserlight
- Surround sound system harman / kardon, 16 speakers
- Glass roof, electricity
- 19-inch M light-alloy wheels with performance tires
- US technology package
- M behind Spoiler
- Painted metal
To be Is the BMW i4 eDrive40 safe?
The BMW i4 has yet to be crash-tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, nor has its 4 Series Gran Coupe sibling.
Although the two-door 4 Series Coupe earned five stars in 2019 testing, the difference in size and powertrain means it’s not as simple as transferring crash test data to a new EV.
Australian models have the following standard features:
- Automatic emergency brake
- Forward collision warning
- Lane keeping assist
- Speed limit identification
- Lane departure warning
- High beam support
- Driver assistance specialist
- Adaptive cruise control with stop/go
- Assistant steering and lane control (semi-automatic mode)
- Aid for evasion
- Traffic warning ahead
- Parking Assistant Plus
How much BMW i4 eDrive40 cost to run?
BMW covers its range with a three years, unlimited km New car warranty.
Services can be prepaid for four or six years and cost $1240 or $1,765 corresponds to the period determined by the vehicle’s infotainment system based on the condition.
CarExpert’s Undertaking BMW i4 eDrive40
I am really surprised by the BMW i4. Unlike most other brands whose EVs are built from an internal combustion platform, the i4 absolutely shines and feels like it was built from the ground up like an EV.
The ride is fantastic, it accelerates and handles like a sporty BMW and ultimately there are no compromises choosing this over an equivalent internal combustion 4 Series.
It’s downsized by the lack of second-row seat space and the price – it’s significantly more expensive than comparable electric vehicles on the market at the moment, and that could end up putting BMW on the edge, say. to sales.
In addition, I will not hesitate to recommend this as a good candidate for competitors in the same segment. It holds its own and feels every bit of a sporty BMW.
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THAN: Everything BMW i4
