The all-electric BMW i4 is on its way to Australia, and the company has revealed that two models will be available in 2022 – the i4 eDrive40, priced at $99,900, and the high-performance i4 M50, priced at $124,900 (before on-road costs).

That i4 M50 performance model will have an electric motor at the front axle and another at the rear to deliver a system output of 400kW and 795Nm. That kicks the M50 along at quite a clip – 100km/h arrives in 3.9 seconds and top speed is a limited 255km/h. Energy comes via an 84kWh battery pack and range for the M50 is a claimed 510km.

The i4 eDrive40 also has the 84kWh battery pack but comes with a 250kW electric motor at the rear. Peak torque is 430Nm and 0-100km/h is reached in 5.7 seconds. Range is up to 590km.

DC fast charging at up to 200kW is available and both models are to be offered with complimentary five-year subscription to fast DC and ultra-rapid chargers as part of the Chargefox charging network.

Fast charging will allow for up to 164km of range to be pumped into the i4 eDrive40 in 10 minutes, and 140km in the M50. Charging from 10 to 80 per cent can be achieved in 31 minutes. An 11kW BMW Wallbox is available for the home enabling the battery pack to be charged to 100 per cent in 8.5 hours.

The standard chassis technology of the BMW i4 comprises a double-joint spring strut front axle and five-link rear axle, lift-related dampers, electromechanical Servotronic steering, an integrated braking system and rear air suspension.

Near-actuator wheel slip limitation optimises traction and directional stability, and this system is fitted as standard on the BMW i4 and teams up with electric all-wheel-drive for the first time.

The i4 M50 is also equipped with adaptive M suspension that incorporates bespoke tuning, variable sport steering, M Sport brakes and up to 20-inch M light-alloy wheels with mixed-size tyres.

The fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology in the BMW i4 comprises drive units which bring together the electric motor, power electronics and transmission within a single housing.

The interior, as you’d expect, is premium, and individualisation options are available. Elements include seat heating and ventilation, Vernasca leather and BMW Individual leather trim variants, Sensatec and leather coverings for the instrument panel, M Sport package Pro, a glass slide/tilt sunroof, ambient lighting and the Harman Kardon Surround Sound System.

The transmission selector lever, BMW Controller and function keys are positioned on a control panel in the centre console. The large tailgate has an automatic opening and closing mechanism as standard. Load compartment capacity ranges between 470 and 1,290 litres.

The new generation of the iDrive display and control/operation system is fitted in the BMW i4. It is, says BMW, designed with a focus on the touchscreen functionality of the BMW Curved Display and spoken communication with the upgraded BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.

The BMW Curved Display fully digital screen grouping brings together a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display behind a glass surface angled towards the driver.

Three-zone automatic climate control system is fitted as standard and uses nanofibre filter technology to purify the air inside the car. Remote Software Upgrades keep the car’s software up to date, and there’s a cloud-based navigation system for route planning that factors in mid-journey stops to charge the battery.

Driver assistance functions are legion with 40 such features available either as standard or available as options. These include Active Cruise Control with automatic Speed Limit Assist, route monitoring and the Steering and Lane Control Assistant. Front-collision warning, Speed Limit Info, Lane Departure Warning, Park Distance Control and the Reversing Assist Camera are fitted as standard, while Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant, and Parking Assistant Plus including Surround View and Remote 3D View will also be available.

Source: Motor Trader e-Magazine (August 2021) 

24 August 2021