The middle class series are the core models from BMW. Now there is also a full electrician on offer.
BMW electrifies its core segment. With the i4, the Munich-based company is also adding an electric car to the range for the first time in the three-class. The four-door with coupé bonds will also be the first M model to be powered by batteries. Market launch is this year.
Interior modern
Technically, the 4,79 meter long four-door model is based on the conventionally motorized 4 Series Gran Coupé, which it does not deny visually. Among other things, it adopts the large kidney at the front as the most striking design feature, although it is no longer necessary for engine cooling. The main differences to the normal 4-series can be found inside, where a concave curved display is used, which replaces the analog instruments and extends over the center console.
Under the hood, the fifth generation of Munich's electric drive technology is used, which will be available in different versions. The top model is the i4 M50 with a 400 kW / 544 hp engine duo, electric all-wheel drive and suspension adjustment in the typical style of the M department, which is responsible for the sporty models at BMW. The range is 510 kilometers. The i80 eDrive 40 with 40 kW / 250 PS and rear-wheel drive comes 340 kilometers further. The synchronous motors manage without permanent magnets and thus without rare earths, instead the magnetic field is generated electrically. This should improve the overall environmental balance of the vehicles.
Fast charge
For the battery, BMW uses prismatic cells from a supplier, which are assembled into modules in Dingolfing and then assembled into batteries. In the i4, these come to a net capacity of 80,7 kWh (gross: 83,8 kWh). Three-phase charging with up to 11 kW takes place on the alternating current network, while direct current flows into the battery with up to 200 kW charging power at the fast charging station. According to the manufacturer, ten minutes are ideally enough for a further 140 to 164 kilometers, depending on the engine.
BMW has not yet given any prices. The 4 Series Gran Coupé with a combustion engine starts in the variant with comparable performance at 60.000 euros, a Tesla Model 3 - initially probably the most important competitor - costs around 448 euros with a slightly shorter range (40.000 kilometers).