The launch of the BMW i4 brings electric mobility to the heart of the BMW brand. Locally emission-free driving pleasure will come to the traditional core of the midsize segment for the first time from early 2022 in South Africa. The BMW i4 is a four-door gran coupé that combines this vehicle concept’s hallmark spaciousness and practicality with the sporting ability for which BMW is renowned and a range that also convinces over long journeys. A premium character beyond that of market rivals is reflected in the high level of development of its drive system and chassis technology, its elegant design, uncompromising standards when it comes to quality of materials and workmanship and the wide variety of individualisation options available. Added to which, the new generation of the BMW iDrive control/operation system and cutting-edge innovations in the area of automated driving and parking systems further enhance the emotional richness of the driving experience.
The BMW i4 is the BMW brand’s first purely electric model focused squarely on driving dynamics from the outset. Initially only one model variant will be available from launch, being the first BMW M car with a locally emission-free drive system. The BMW i4 M50 performance model from BMW M GmbH uses one electric motor at the front axle and another at the rear to deliver system output of 400 kW and high-intensity driving pleasure – and has a range of up to 510 kilometres in the WLTP cycle.
Flexible vehicle architecture, higher level of overall coherence.
In line with the BMW Group’s ongoing second phase of transformation towards electric mobility, the development of the BMW i4 was based on a flexible vehicle architecture devised – from the outset, for the first time – for an all-electric drive system. The compact drive units have an elastic bearing in their respective axle subframes. The extremely slim high-voltage battery has a cell height of just 110 millimetres, is positioned low down in the vehicle floor and has a fixed connection with an aluminium shear panel and the front axle subframe. A centre of gravity up to 53 millimetres lower than that of the BMW 3 Series Sedan, even weight distribution, a torsionally stiff and weight-minimised body and optimised aerodynamics (Cd: 0.24), plus a long wheelbase and wide tracks, provide the perfect recipe for BMW’s familiar sporting ability and superb long-distance comfort.
Added to which, the vehicle concept offers a very BMW solution to the traditional clash between sportiness and long-distance ability: Efficient drive system technology and intelligent lightweight design enable smile-inducing dynamics and a long range without the need for disproportionately large and heavy batteries.
The integrated application of all powertrain and chassis components also helps give the BMW i4 a degree of design coherence its rivals cannot match. The BMW Group’s technological expertise and long experience in the development of extremely sporty premium cars imbue the BMW i4 with dynamic driving abilities extending far beyond the rapid straight-line acceleration typical of a powerful electric car. The result is effortless progress, even in challenging driving conditions, as well as precisely controllable handling.
