The first-ever BMW i4
- Striking gran coupé introduces all-electric mobility to the heart of the BMW brand
- Range of up to 367 miles (WLTP)
- New BMW iDrive and Operating System 8 further enhances interaction between driver and vehicle
- Line-up includes the i4 M50, the first purely electric performance car from BMW M GmbH
- i4 eDrive40 available in Sport and M Sport trim
- BMW IconicSounds Electric vehicle sounds composed in collaboration with Hans Zimmer
- Comprehensive BMW Charging solution. Subscription-free access to ‘bp pulse’ and ‘IONITY Plus’ packages for i4 retail customers in the first 12 months of ownership
- BMW i4 priced from £51,905 OTR and due for UK launch in November 2021
The BMW i4 is a statement vehicle, putting all-electric mobility at the very heart of the BMW brand. It combines style, agility and comfort with zero tailpipe emissions and up to 367-mile range (WLTP).
Due for launch in the UK in November 2021, the i4 is the first all-electric premium car from the BMW Group aimed at the traditional core of the midsize segment. Its combination of sportiness and long-distance ability has been achieved with an efficient drive system technology and intelligent lightweight design, which enable exhilarating driving dynamics and an impressive range without the need for disproportionately large and heavy batteries.
The newcomer offers both a captivating drive and class-leading levels of technology. In addition to being based on a flexible vehicle architecture conceived from the outset for a purely electric drive system, the new i4 features the latest generation of the iDrive system, plus cutting-edge innovations in the areas of automated driving and parking assistance.
Beneath its four-door gran coupé body style, it boasts fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology incorporating the latest power electronics, charging technology and high-voltage battery as well as the highly integrated electric motors that enable strong performance combined with everyday usability and long-distance capabilities.
The BMW iDrive / Operating System 8 is key to the user experience on board the BMW i4 and takes the interaction between driver and vehicle into the digital future. The new BMW Operating System 8 helps give the BMW i4 all the tools needed to serve as an intelligent and proactive partner in any situation. The intuitive, multimodal operation becomes a dialogue between the user and their car that seeks to tailor all the functions controlled via BMW iDrive precisely to the driver’s needs and preferences.
The BMW i4 will be available in three different model variants from launch, including the first ever BMW M car with all-electric drive. The BMW i4 M50 is a performance model from BMW M GmbH delivering extreme driving enjoyment, bringing the classic M formula of agility, dynamism and precision to the world of electric mobility.
Equipped with electric motors at both the front and rear axle with a combined maximum output of 544hp and M-specific chassis technology, it promises exceptional performance while achieving a range of up to 316 miles in the WLTP test cycle.
In the BMW i4 eDrive40 Sport and BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport, a 340hp electric motor teams up with rear-wheel drive to enable locally emission-free driving with plenty of sporting flair. It has a WLTP-calculated range of up to 367 miles.
The BMW i4 enhances its usability further still with flexible charging options. Notably, its Combined Charging Unit allows use of DC high-power charging stations with an output of up to 200kW. Range of up to 102 miles (BMW i4 eDrive40) and 87 miles (BMW i4 M50) can be delivered within a 10-minute charging stop at stations of this kind.
The i4 eDrive40 in both the Sport and M Sport specification includes 18-inch alloy wheels and the Live Cockpit, plus such standard equipment as a reversing camera, Parking Assistant, automatic air conditioning, ambient lighting, LED lights front and back and acoustic protection for pedestrians.
ModelMax Power (hp)Peak Torque (Nm)Acceleration
(0–62mph)
Top Speed (mph)Range (Miles) (WLTP) *CO2
Emissions
(WLTP)*Electric Power
Consumption
(WLTP) kWh/62 miles*OTR Price*** i4 eDrive403404305.7118**367*020–16£51,905
Sport£53,405
M Sporti4 M505447953.9140**316 *024–19£63,905
*All figures relating to output, charging capacity, charging times, performance, energy consumption and range are provisional and based on the standard specification in Germany.
**Electronically limited.
***Preliminary on-the-road pricing, correct at the time of publication — the latest prices can be found at www.bmw.co.uk.
The BMW i4 will be produced at BMW Group Plant Munich. Its production, which is performed alongside petrol, diesel and plug-in-hybrid models on the same line, marks the beginning of a new era for the manufacturing facility. The BMW Group invested around 200 million Euros in the company’s home plant to cover the necessary disassembly and conversion work for the production machinery. Both the BMW i4 and its battery cells will be manufactured using 100 per cent green energy.
In the UK, the BMW i4 range will cost from £51,905 OTR.
Precisely coordinated premium drive and chassis technology
The superb dynamic performance offered by the BMW i4 distinguishes it from other electric vehicles in its segment. The standard chassis technology’s extremely sophisticated features (some of which are exclusive to BMW) include the lift-related dampers, rear air suspension, electromechanical steering with Servotronic function, integrated braking system, DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system and near-actuator wheel slip limitation. The BMW i4 M50 boasts a bespoke adaptive M suspension with individually configured springs and dampers, specially designed anti-roll bars and an additional spring strut tower brace in the front end, along with variable sport steering, M Sport brakes and M light-alloy wheels up to 20 inches in diameter with mixed-size tyres. Meanwhile, the fully electric all-wheel-drive system helps it achieve outstanding levels of traction, directional stability and agility.
An intensive testing programme ensures that the motor output, power transmission, chassis set-up and body attributes work together to deliver the familiar BMW driving pleasure. The result is highly impressive driveability in all scenarios: from hard acceleration through high-speed cornering to relaxed cruising. Even in adverse road conditions, the car can effortlessly pick up speed.
The BMW i4 shows itself to be a cut above the rest when it comes to driving comfort as well: its advanced chassis technology and steering characteristics, plus high levels of ride, vibration and acoustic comfort translate into easy, fatigue-free driving on long journeys.
Electric all-wheel drive, innovative damper technology and new near-actuator wheel slip limitation including Launch Control
The top-class powertrain and chassis systems interact with great precision to produce a driving experience that no competitor can offer, particularly from a standing start. The electric all-wheel-drive system in the BMW i4 M50 plays a particularly effective role here, with the presence of an electric motor at both the front and rear axle allowing drive power to be channelled to the road to optimum effect. The electric all-wheel drive reacts with extreme sensitivity to the speed of the wheels at each axle. If necessary, it can optimise traction and handling stability by adjusting the drive torque accordingly, without the traction control even having to intervene.
The fully variable system can choose exactly the right form of power transmission for the full range of requirements, from highly efficient pure rear-wheel drive through to an all-wheel-drive set-up that maximises traction. Normally, power is relayed solely to the rear wheels of the BMW i4 M50 to increase its efficiency and range. At higher levels of acceleration or in response to wheel slip, the motor acting on the front wheels assumes just the right share of the drive power to optimise driving dynamics and directional stability.
Near-actuator wheel slip limitation is fitted on both versions of the rear-wheel-drive BMW i4 eDrive40 and the all-wheel-drive BMW i4 M50, whose intelligent distribution of power between the front and rear wheels also keeps the vehicle glued to the road under rapid acceleration long before the traction limit is reached. The near-actuator wheel slip limitation is designed to bring the advantages of rear-wheel drive to the world of electric mobility in BMW i4 eDrive40 variants, whereas in the BMW i4 M50 it is set up for optimum, rear-biased distribution of drive torque between the two axles.
Weight-optimised bespoke chassis technology
Optimised for both weight and rigidity, the newly engineered chassis technology for the BMW i4 provides an outstanding basis for combining precisely controllable handling with impressive long-distance comfort.
The superb driving qualities of the BMW i4 are partly down to its balanced weight distribution and its low centre of gravity. The high-voltage battery is positioned low down in the vehicle floor, bringing about a drop in the centre of gravity that has a positive impact on the car’s agility. The centre of gravity is 34mm (BMW i4 M50) or 53mm (BMW i4 eDrive40 Sport and M Sport) lower than on a 3 Series Saloon.
Standard specification for all model variants also includes rear air suspension, whose automatic self-levelling feature keeps the car at a constant ride-height even when carrying a heavy load.
Precisely controllable driving dynamics right up to the limits of performance
While the motor management’s integrated near-actuator wheel slip limitation function mostly halts loss of traction while accelerating, the DSC system is responsible for optimising directional stability and steering capability in demanding situations by selectively applying the brakes at individual wheels. Its primary functions include the Anti-lock Braking System, traction control system and electronic stability control. The easily activated Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) mode allows a higher degree of wheel slip, helping the driver to explore the car’s performance limits. It is also easy to engage the DSC off mode for extremely sporty driving without any brake intervention to stabilise handling.
Integrated braking system optimises stopping power and pedal feel
The BMW i4 is the only model in its segment to be fitted with an integrated braking system that delivers outstanding stopping power and reliable pedal feel. Unwanted pedal feedback is eliminated when recuperation is being used to slow the car, with Brake Energy Regeneration at a maximum rate of 195 kW (BMW i4 M50). The integrated braking system enables the recuperation and brake pressure elements of the overall stopping force to be combined with great precision. Consequently, the driver enjoys superb pedal feel in all situations, as applying the same pressure to the pedal will always generate the same stopping power.
Adaptive recuperation of energy during a journey can be adjusted
Adaptive and individually regulated recuperation during overrun and braking allows the efficiency of the drive system in the BMW i4 to be further increased in a way that no other model in this segment can. Intelligently connected drive management means the intensity of the brake energy recuperation can be adapted to the road situation, as detected by data from the navigation system and the sensors used by the driver assistance systems.
Sustainability-enhancing advances: fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology
Fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology — comprising the electric motors, power electronics, charging technology and high-voltage battery — forms the basis for driving pleasure with zero tailpipe emissions in the BMW i4. Developed by the BMW Group, the standalone design principle for the electric motors, and their compact arrangement within a housing shared with the transmission and power electronics, are key factors in the drive system’s outstanding power delivery and efficiency. This highly integrated drive technology results in an improvement in power density over the electric drive system in the 2020 BMW i3 of around 30 per cent.
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 per cent in comparison to the BMW i3. At the same time, maximum charging capacity for the latest-generation batteries has now been increased to 210kW.
The drive units are — like the high-voltage batteries, power electronics and charging technology — the product of fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology. The electrically excited motor’s specific ESM design principle enables typical BMW power delivery with locally emission-free mobility. The drive system’s high efficiency and cutting-edge NMC-811 battery cell technology give the car a long operating range and exceptional everyday usability. Extremely powerful charging technology with a maximum charging capacity of 200kW for high-power DC charging means that only short mid-journey stops are required to replenish the energy content of the high-voltage battery.
The electric motors developed in-house by the BMW Group have an efficiency factor of 93 per cent in their latest version. They not only better the figures achieved by current combustion engines (less than 40 per cent), but also rank among the leading electric drive units in their class.
The excellent range of the BMW i4 is underpinned by efficiency rather than ever larger batteries. Fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology therefore resolves the dilemma that has confronted all electric vehicles in the past and helps to create a blend of sporting performance, energy efficiency and practical operating range that clearly sets the BMW i4 apart from its competitors.
The BMW i4 M50 — the first ever fully-electric BMW M model — is powered by a 190kW electric motor at the front axle and a 230kW version at the rear, which combine to produce 544hp. The flagship model’s electric all-wheel-drive system allows drive torque to be adjusted with incredible speed and precision, thereby maximising dynamic performance, traction and handling stability. The drive system technology in the BMW i4 eDrive40 Sport and M Sport promises sustainable driving pleasure in the way BMW is most famous for: the power generated instantaneously by its 340hp electric motor is channelled to the road via the rear wheels.
Enthralling performance with Sport Boost function in the BMW i4 M50
In the BMW i4 M50, the motor driving the rear wheels generates maximum output of 313hp, while the unit at the front axle produces 258hp. Intelligently controlled interaction between the two electric drive units ensures the car always makes effortless progress.
The fully variable system is matched exactly to the requirements at any given moment, offering everything from highly efficient pure rear-wheel drive through to an all-wheel-drive set-up that maximises traction.
A specially designed boost function that can be activated on demand brings the BMW M model’s high-performance character even more to the fore. The Sport Boost function increases the system’s combined drive power by 68hp to its maximum of 544hp for over ten seconds. At the same time, combined torque is upped by 65Nm to 795Nm. The burst of speed is accompanied by an M-specific soundtrack which was composed in collaboration with Hans Zimmer, to further intensify the performance experience inside the BMW i4 M50.
Activating the Sport Boost function enables the BMW i4 M50 to race from 0 to 62mph in 3.9 seconds. The Sport Boost effect can also be triggered several times in succession if the high-voltage battery has sufficient charge. The BMW i4 M50 has an electronically governed top speed of 140mph.
Customary BMW sportiness and efficiency in the BMW i4 eDrive40
A lively electric motor teams up with classical rear-wheel drive in both versions of the BMW i4 eDrive40. Its drive unit develops maximum output of 340hp between 8,000 and 17,000rpm, placing it on an equal footing with BMW’s most powerful current six-cylinder in-line diesel engine. The other key factor in the electric motor’s performance characteristics is its instantaneous peak torque of 430Nm.The BMW i4 eDrive40 sprints from 0 to 62mph in 5.7 seconds. Its top speed is electronically limited to 118mph.
Combined Charging Unit allows power to be taken on board at 200kW
New charging technology is also part of the fifth-generation BMW eDrive toolkit. The Combined Charging Unit (CCU) in the BMW i4 enables an extremely high level of flexibility when it comes to using charging stations of different types.
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 per cent in under 8.5 hours.
A significantly higher charging output — and the shorter charging times this enables — can be accessed by using a DC high-power charging station. The BMW i4 can charge its high-voltage battery there at up to 200kW. So when hooked up to high-power charging stations of the type mainly found on major transport routes, it can take enough energy on board in just ten minutes to increase range by 102 miles in the BMW i4 eDrive40 and 87 miles in the case of the BMW i4 M50.
BMW i4 models in the UK are supplied complete with the Flexible Charger offering a charging rate of up to 11kW and a mode 3 charging cable for public charging stations. Retail customers purchasing their i4 via the BMW UK Retail Network will receive a BMW Charging card that facilitates access to special tariffs offered by the BMW Charging network. This allows electrical power to be replenished at a very attractive price at both public and high-power charging stations. In addition, ‘bp pulse’ and ‘IONITY Plus’ packages are offered to i4 customers without a subscription fee for the first 12 months of ownership. With these additional benefits, BMW i4 customers in the UK gain access to one of the world’s largest public charging networks, using just one RFID card or App.
The new generation of the BMW iDrive / Operating System 8
The new BMW iDrive is an instrumental factor in the user experience on board the BMW i4. The most recent incarnation of the display and operating system takes the interaction between driver and vehicle into the digital future. The new BMW Operating System 8 features a new generation of displays, controls and software, plus extremely powerful connectivity and data processing.