BMW calls the sedan Grand Coupé and speaks of up to 590 kilometers range according to WLTP. The company showed the vehicle for the first time at its annual conference without a camouflage film. As already suspected, it will hit the market three months earlier than planned.

The manufacturer also speaks of increasing the proportion of electric cars, but of wanting to remain “open to technology” overall. A fuel cell car should roll off the production lines next year.

E-Drive with electromagnet

BMW already changed the engine concept with the iX3. The fifth generation no longer consists of a permanent magnet (PSM), but an electrically excited (ESM) synchronous motor. Instead of the permanent magnet, an electromagnet is used. BMW claims to be able to achieve a high level of efficiency and be able to fine-tune the engine. In a few seconds he accelerates the i4 to 100 kilometers per hour and beyond. A new damper system, among other things, is responsible for the “impressively superior driving characteristics” of the i4.

First electric M version announced

You should be able to order the BMW i4 with a system output of up to 390 kilowatts. That equates to around 530 hp, including the boost function. This variant accelerates the car from a standing start to 100 kilometers per hour in four seconds. According to media reports, the sports variant is called the i4 M50, has larger wheels and a larger brake system. There are also more aggressive aprons and a rear spoiler on the body. The M50 will cost between 58,000 and 60,000 euros. Its little brother is called the i440 and has a rear-wheel drive with 330 hp. Customers can also book the boost function. The basic model with the designation BMW i435 is to be added later. It is supposed to be powered by a 280 PS unit.

Apart from the range, BMW reveals little about the technical specifications, which of course have not yet been officially confirmed. However, we know the information from the study from which the i4 grew. It said that the battery had 80 kilowatt hours and thus a range of around 600 kilometers.

Design ensures little surprise

The design, which BMW describes as “progressive”, is based heavily on the BMW 4 Series Grand Coupé. The contracted double cardioid is known from another model: the fully electric SUV iX. Observers suspect sensors are behind it. As is typical for an electric car, the wheelbase is wide in order to create plenty of space in the interior. The i4 is still based on a common platform with its petrol siblings. For example, it shouldn’t have a front trunk. According to its own information, BMW is working on its own, purely electric car platform and is therefore late compared to other manufacturers.

Interior not yet revealed

The engine works did not yet show any interior views. In the study and in the iX there is a free-standing curved display, which will probably also move into the production version of the i4. The recently presented BMW operating software OS 8, which forms the basis for the also revised version of iDrive, is expected to run on it. A more modern interface, more interaction options and the reduction of physical controls should lead to a new experience.

BMW wants to build the “greenest” car

BMW is going on the technology offensive with the iX and the i4. By 2023, the group aims to have a dozen fully electric models on the market, covering 90 percent of today’s market segments. This is made possible, among other things, by the fact that the Munich-based company is adding electric versions to its standard models: the 5 Series, the X1 and later the 7 Series and the successor to the Mini Countryman. Mini is to be completely electrified. At the same time, the entire supplier and production structure is being converted. The claim is still loud: the “greenest” car comes from BMW. In 2030, the company aims to generate at least 50 percent of global sales with fully electric models. However, in contrast to VW, the Bavarians do not focus on battery electric vehicles. They want to be “open to technology”, they say from Munich. A fuel cell car called Hydrogen Next should go into small series next year.

Luxury division cannot absorb loss of sales

The group’s numbers slumped due to the pandemic. Sales fell by five percent and profit even by 35 percent to 5.22 million euros before taxes. The car division alone only achieved half of the previous year’s income. Contrary to the trend, luxury vehicles did well. Their volume increased by 12.4 percent. BMW pays a dividend of 1.90 euros per common and 1.92 per preferred share. You might also be interested in