BMW i4 eDRIVE40

BMW i4 – an all-electric executive coupe with a sporty character

The BMW i4 is a fully electric Gran Coupe. Available from 2021. It was presented as a concept in 2017 at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2017.

Options

BMW i4 can be ordered in three trim levels:

• eDrive 35 - an installed electric motor with a power of 210 kW, accelerating the car to 100 km/h. in 6 seconds. The battery capacity is enough for 473 km of travel on one charge. Drive type – rear;
• eDrive 40 – an installed electric motor with a power of 250 kW, accelerating the car to 100 km/h. in 5.7 seconds. The battery capacity is enough for a minimum of 491 km and a maximum of 580 km. Drive type – rear;
• M50 (sports version) - two 400 kW electric motors are installed, which accelerate the car to 100 km/h. in 3.9 seconds. The battery capacity is enough for a minimum of 414 km and a maximum of 519 km. Drive type – full. The sports package improves the dynamic performance of the electric vehicle and improves driving pleasure.

Appearance

The exterior of the electric “fourth” BMW has been modified to increase its aerodynamic properties. For example, the door handles are made flush to reduce resistance to oncoming air flow. The door itself is made without a top frame.

The radiator grille, unlike the diesel and gasoline versions, performs a purely decorative function. There are no sensors or sensors behind it. Therefore, it is made from a single sheet of plastic. The exception is its lower part, which is closed by sliding flaps. They open only when electrical components under the hood need additional cooling.

At the edges of the front bumper there are holes for the wheel arches, through which excess pressure is released. It is formed when the wheels rotate and worsens the aerodynamic properties of the body. Excess air leaves the wheel arches through the side openings, and then they are immediately blown along the sides of the body. Behind the wheel arches there are narrow “winter” openings, through which excess air is also blown along the body.

The rear bumper has a massive diffuser. It replaces the classic exhaust pipes that are found in the petrol and diesel versions. The diffuser adds more aggressiveness to the exterior and makes the car visually wider.

A small spoiler is installed on the trunk door. It creates enough downforce to keep the rear drive wheels firmly on the asphalt at all times. Optionally, you can order a spoiler and diffusers made of carbon.

The low beam is made of LED lights in all trim levels. The main beam in basic versions is LED, but laser light can be ordered as an option. In the highest sports configuration, the high beam is laser only. Also in higher configurations there is a function of automatically switching high beams to low beams. In all trim levels, the BMW i4 is equipped with a light sensor, headlight height adjustment and daytime running lights.

Interior

Sport seats are already installed as standard for the driver and front passenger. They have side bolsters and deep headrests that keep your head planted during sharp turns. The driver and front passenger seats are equipped with electrical adjustment and position memory.

A sports multifunction steering wheel is also installed as standard. It does not obscure the information that provides the driver with a fully digital instrument panel. Both the steering wheel and seats are upholstered in high-quality eco-leather. On the backs and seat cushions there is additionally perforated eco-leather, which improves ventilation and heating.

The standard upholstery is dark. But there are other options:

• Canberra Beige – light sand color;
• Tacorarot – terracotta red;
• Cognac – light cognac color.

All options are upholstered in perforated Sensatec fabric and Vernasca eco-leather with black decorative tape. In addition, the owner can order an individual interior designed by BMW's own designers. There are only ten such individual salon interiors - light, red, blue and dark.

The doors, front panel and central tunnel, in addition to eco-leather, are additionally treated with plastic and aluminum inserts. In the sports version, aluminum inserts are made in the signature M Aluminum Rhombicle Anthracite style.

The driver's area is designed in the signature BMW Live Cockpit Plus style. This is a fully digital instrument panel with a diameter of 5.1 inches and a movable (it can be moved towards the driver) 10.5-inch touch screen of the multimedia system.

Decorative lighting (11 colors) is already installed in the interior as part of the basic configuration. The backlight can work in stand-alone mode or it can be connected to an audio system, and then the light will change to the rhythm of the music.

Main technical characteristics

Weight and dimensions characteristics of the BMW i4 electric car:

• length – 4.78 meters;
• width – 1.85 meters;
• height – 1.45 meters;
• wheelbase length – 2.85 meters;
• curb weight – 2112 kg.

A double-wishbone independent suspension is installed on the front axle, and a five-link independent suspension is installed on the rear axle. Ventilated disc brakes are installed on all wheels. The top-end M50 configuration has the function of pneumatic suspension adjustment along two axes.

The two basic trim levels are equipped with cast alloy wheels in the signature M High Gloss Shadow Line design with low-profile tires measuring 245/45 R18. The top sports version comes standard with 858 M Bicolor alloy aerodynamic wheels and the tire size increases to 245/40 R19. But optionally, the owner can choose from six wheel options ranging in size from 17 to 20 inches.

Engine and battery

The electric BMW i4 coupe is equipped with powerful permanent magnet electric motors, which have a high efficiency of converting direct current into mechanical energy (torque):

• a 210 kW engine (eDrive 35 package) consumes from 15.8 to 18.7 kWh per 100 km;
• a 250 kW engine (eDrive 40 package) consumes from 16.1 to 19.1 kWh per 100 km;
• two M Power engines with a power of 400 kW (M50 equipment). Each of them consumes from 18.1 to 22.5 kWh per 100 km.

All engines are equipped with an automatic single-stage transmission. The driver switches transmission modes using a large washer located on the central tunnel.

The BMW i4 electric car is equipped with two batteries of different capacities:

• 67 kW – the battery is installed on the eDrive 35 package. Slow charging occurs after 7 hours;
• 81.1 kW – the battery is installed on the eDrive 40 and M50 configurations. Slow charging occurs after 8.25 hours;

At fast charging stations, all batteries regain 80% charge in 31 minutes.

Batteries are cooled when moving and when recharging by a separate heat pump, which is controlled by an intelligent system. It maintains optimal battery temperature in summer and winter.

Comfort level

As standard, the interior is equipped with a dimmable interior mirror and three-zone climate control. It maintains a unique microclimate for the driver, front and rear passengers.

The BMW i4 is equipped with the iDrive 8 complex. It has received features of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. Therefore, the iDrive 8 complex studies the driver’s habits and adjusts the car’s functions to suit them. The driver can set up an individual profile and upload it to other BMW vehicles via the My Modes cloud service.

The iDrive 8 complex includes a voice assistant that can control:

• navigation;
• audio system;
• climate control;
• light in the cabin;
• eclipsing the panoramic roof.

The voice assistant can be given its own unique name, which will be the activation command.

Security level

BMW i4 is equipped with the following safety systems:

• front and rear parking sensors;
• 360 degree all-round view;
• tire pressure monitoring;
• anti-lock brakes (ABS);
• distribution of braking forces;
• Brake Assist;
• traction control (TCS);
• stabilization system (ESP);
• active braking;
• lifting assistance;
• automatic parallel parking.

The following passive safety devices are installed in the BMW i4 interior:

• front airbag for driver and passenger;
• front side airbags;
• front and rear curtain airbags;
• Isofix child seats.

Conclusions

The BMW i4 Coupe combines excellent dynamics, a high level of comfort and optimal suitability for daily use. The buyer can choose what to focus on - executive-class comfort or sporty driving dynamics, which have little to do with the dynamics of racing cars.