Automotive

BMW looks ahead to the 373-mile all-electric i4 gran coupe

BMW looks ahead to the 373-mile all-electric i4 gran coupe
The BMW i4 prototype proves its mettle on snow and ice
The BMW i4 prototype proves its mettle on snow and ice
View 11 Images
BMW showed the first preview of the i4 two years ago with the i Vision Dynamics
1/11
BMW showed the first preview of the i4 two years ago with the i Vision Dynamics
BMW i Vision Dynamics
2/11
BMW i Vision Dynamics
The i Vision Dynamics was revealed at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
3/11
The i Vision Dynamics was revealed at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
It looks like the future of BMW is going to include some huge grilles, no matter what's powering the wheels
4/11
It looks like the future of BMW is going to include some huge grilles, no matter what's powering the wheels
From left to right: The BMW iNext, iX3 and i4 prototypes undergo winter testing
5/11
From left to right: The BMW iNext, iX3 and i4 prototypes undergo winter testing
The BMW i4 prototype proves its mettle on snow and ice
6/11
The BMW i4 prototype proves its mettle on snow and ice
The BMW i4 will follow the iX3 and iNext to market
7/11
The BMW i4 will follow the iX3 and iNext to market
BMW's electric production car and concept lineup
8/11
BMW's electric production car and concept lineup
BMW has been developing its electrified technology for years and is now preparing to launch its fifth-gen eDrive on a series of all-electric vehicles
9/11
BMW has been developing its electrified technology for years and is now preparing to launch its fifth-gen eDrive on a series of all-electric vehicles
The iX3 will kickoff the 5th-gen eDrive vehicle launch next year, followed by the iNext and i4 in 2021
10/11
The iX3 will kickoff the 5th-gen eDrive vehicle launch next year, followed by the iNext and i4 in 2021
BMW has focused on scalability with the gen-5 eDrive, allowing it to underpin all types of vehicles
11/11
BMW has focused on scalability with the gen-5 eDrive, allowing it to underpin all types of vehicles
View gallery - 11 images

Not wanting Ford to hoard all the EV spotlight with the buzzy Mustang Mach-E, BMW confirmed some details about its upcoming i4 electric four-door this week. The new model will be part of a new generation of BMW electrics that'll boast spirited performance, sharp driving dynamics and comfortable commuting within an electrified package. For the i4 that means the latest eDrive technology, 523 horsepower, up to 373 miles (600 km) of driving range, and sporty but roomy four-door coupe packaging.

Next year marks the kickoff of BMW's new-generation electric vehicle offensive, which will be based around its fifth-generation eDrive technology, a scalable architecture packaging together a more energy-dense high-voltage battery, new charging hardware, and a new integrated unit with motor, transmission and power electronics in a single housing. BMW will be able to offer the eDrive in various output levels and readily adapt it to different styles of vehicle. The iX3 crossover will be the first to market with the gen-5 eDrive next year, followed by the production iNext and i4. In June, BMW announced it intends to have 25 electrified vehicles in its lineup by 2023, two years sooner than originally planned.

From left to right: The BMW iNext, iX3 and i4 prototypes undergo winter testing
From left to right: The BMW iNext, iX3 and i4 prototypes undergo winter testing

When the i4 launches in 2021, it will come powered by a 523-hp electric motor developed as the electric performance equivalent of a modern V8. That motor will draw power from a high-voltage battery pack with around 80 kWh. BMW reckons that the combo will team up to offer around 373 miles (600 km) of range, an impressive Model S-matching figure, though we assume BMW is deriving it from the generous WLTP standard. BMW also assures that the i4 will deliver on the brand's promise of driving pleasure, accelerating from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in about four seconds well before topping out at double that speed.

The BMW i4 will follow the iX3 and iNext to market
The BMW i4 will follow the iX3 and iNext to market

The specs here aren't really new, as they're the same numbers that were attached to the 2017 i Vision Dynamics, an early i4 preview. BMW is, however, confirming those numbers as actual production targets, not just pie-in-the-sky concept car figures.

The i Vision Dynamics was revealed at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show
The i Vision Dynamics was revealed at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show

The i4 will have a charging capacity of up to 150 kW, allowing the battery to jump from 0 to 80 percent in roughly 35 minutes. If you don't have that kind of time, you can add 62 miles of driving range for every six minutes wired up to a compatible charger.

BMW will build the i4 at its main Munich plant, where it also builds current 3 and 4 Series models.

Source: BMW

View gallery - 11 images
No comments
0 comments
There are no comments. Be the first!