BMW i4

i4 leads BMW charge as it switches to electric motoring

Andrew Walker takes a spin in BMW’s latest electric sensation, the i4, and reckons the Germans have got pretty much everything right

As 2021 ended, BMW was firmly focused on the electric car sector, with the launch of two new models, the iX and the i4. We got to spend some time in both, beginning with the i4.

It’s an electric five-door coupe based on the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. While many brands are launching electric cars that look different, BMW is mixing its responses up. So, while the iX premium SUV look very different from all that has gone before it, the i4 looks just like a 4 Series Gran Coupe and, in our opinion, is all the better for it.

It’s pitched in a competitive sector alongside the Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2 and Jaguar I-Pace, but comes with so much of BMW’s traditional class and premium touches that it is an immediate contender for your cash.

Two versions are offered, starting with the i4 eDrive40, which we tested. The 40 has a single electric motor driving the rear wheels only. It’s still impressively rapid though, with 340hp and 430Nm of torque and will go from 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds. Top speed is limited to 118mph. Entry level Sport costs £51,905, while our test model M Sport retails at £53,905. The more powerful M50 version starts at £63,905.

Charging

All versions of the i4 are equipped with a 205kW DC charger, meaning charging from empty to 80 per cent is just 35 minutes. However, at home it’s more likely you’ll be using a 7kWh AC charger like our own Rolec, so expect 0-100% to take 13 hours.

Specs and extras

Standard equipment on entry level i4 Sport 40, includes air con, a reversing camera, 18” alloys, Shadow Line exterior trim and heated front seats. Our M-Sport added lightweight 18” alloys, M Sport exterior styling, an M Sport leather steering wheel, BMW Shadow Line lights, sun protection glass and M Sport seat belts. As ever with BMW, you can quickly put £10,000 on the price by adding equipment packs. For example, our test car was finished in a rather stunning Sanremo Green (at an extra cost of £695) and included a Visibility pack (£3,800), a Technology Pack (£3,800) and an M Sport Pro Pack (another £2,500).The i4 is also available with a selection of up to 40 driver assistance functions.

Battery range

Taking advantage of heat pump technology as well as excess heat from the electric motors, the i4 features improved heating efficiency, which BMW claims can improve driving range by up to 15 per cent in cold weather.

It all goes to help BMW claim a range of 556km/345 miles for the 40 M Sport, with an economy of 17.kWh per 100km/62miles.

Exterior

You’d be hard pressed to tell the difference between an i4 and a 4 Series Gran Coupe. The front kidney grille is finished in black plastic, you get aerodynamic alloy wheels, some blue ‘electric’ highlights and there’s no exhaust pipes at the rear. That’s about it.

Interior and infotainment

Things are more interesting inside the i4. While it’s very BMW familiar, the dashboard is dominated by the curved twin screens which are joined seamlessly in front of you. A 14.9” infotainment screen and a 12.3” screen that features the digital dials, which along with the head-up display, are customisable.

The graphics are sharp, response is quick and the fact you can scroll left and right on the screen itself, as well as via the rotary controller located between the front seats, also make it easy to use. It’s all powered by the latest BMW Operating System 8, which can also be utilised through voice gestures.

The i4 benefits from BMW’s impressive build quality, with all surfaces beautifully finished; they are a million times better than the inside of a Model 3. The steering wheel and switchgear will be familiar to existing BMW customers and overall, it’s a comforting environment to be in.

Practicality

There’s plenty of room inside for four adults. Unlike most EVs the rear floor features a ‘transmission’ tunnel, limiting the centre seat’s leg room. This actually contains extra batteries to complement the larger battery located under the floor plan.

Cabin storage is okay, with two cup holders in front of the gear lever, twin USBs, under armrest storage and generous door pockets. Rear passengers get their own climate controls and twin USBs.

Boot space is 470 litres with the rear seats in place, which increases to 1,290 litre with them folded. The floor is flat, with two extra storage spaces on either side and cargo nets to prevent slippage. There’s space under the boot floor for storing charging cables.

What’s it like to drive?

When it comes to sporty saloons, BMW’s ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ moniker has left it with very little wriggle room. Happily, the i4 continues to show why BMW invariably gets this right, even with an electric car.

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The extra battery weight – the i4 weighs 2.2 tonnes – actually helps rather than hinders the handling, as it gives it a lower centre of gravity, allowing it to hug the road like glue and corner superbly.

Furthermore, the cabin is eerily quiet and is well insulated against the elements and road noise is kept to a minimum. The ride itself is supple, much better than most EVs, and being RWD, it offers a bit more grip from a standing start then the FWD Polestar 2.

On the motorway, you can take advantage of the cruise control, sit back and relax and watch the miles go by. Around town it’s quiet and unassuming, while on the open road you can enjoy its typical BMW handling and performance. A win-win.

Driving modes

Driving modes offered are Eco Pro, Comfort and Sport, so you can tailor your drive to your needs.

Eco Pro will conserve your range and is particularly useful on the motorway.

Normal introduces a little more power and if you select Sport the car offers increased power and will give you access to the BMW IconicSounds Electric function, adding some computer generated engine noise to the driving experience.

The range runs away from you a little, however.

Regeneration

There’s also an intuitive brake regeneration system on the i4. This has an Adaptive mode that uses data from the navigation system and onboard sensors to work out when to increase the regenerative effect. You can also utilise the B mode on the gear lever, which gives you one-pedal driving, meaning that if driven carefully, you’ll rarely have to push the brake pedal when slowing down.

Pros

These may seem strange praise for a 50k car, but for what it is and what you get, the i4 is a bit of a bargain! The performance is sensational, the handling sublime and the overall quality of the i4 exceptional.

Pretty much all of the engine, tech and electric gizmos are shared with the iX, which would set you back £70,000.

Add in a decent electric range and 1% BIK and it’s an electric car you can own with a smile on your face.

Cons

The i4 doesn’t charge as fast as a Tesla Model 3, nor does it benefit from the Tesla Supercharger Network, so you’ll have to rely on standard motorway charging; that’s currently a hindrance if you do a lot of motorway miles.

Conclusion

The biggest praise we can give the i4 – and remember, we didn’t try the more powerful M50 model – is that it’s as close to driving a petrol 4 Series Gran Coupe as you can get. Just like the iX3, BMW has managed to build an electric car that will offer customers a proper BMW driving experience.

Existing 3 and 4 Series company car drivers who switch to electric won’t skip a beat and if you’re looking for something similar from Audi or Mercedes-Benz, you’ll have to wait.

Model Tested BMW G26 i4 eDrive40 M Sport

CC&V VERDICT

It’s a stunner – no doubt about that – and even though it’s 50k+, it seems good value for money. BMW has clearly pulled out all the stops to make sure it fits the bill for its beloved fleet car market

CC&V RATING:

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