BMW i4 — BrandWiki

BMW i4

Overview

BMW i4

manufacturer	BMW
model code	G26 BEV
production	October 2021‡R1R‡ – present
assembly	Germany: Munich
designer	Seungmo Lim (concept & production exterior)‡R2R‡ Chris Lee (interior design)
class	Compact executive car (D)
body style	5-door liftback/fastback sedan
layout	Rear-motor, rear-wheel drive (eDrive) Dual-motor, all-wheel drive (xDrive)
platform	Cluster Architecture (CLAR)
transmission	Single-speed with fixed ratio
wheelbase	2856 mm
length	4785 mm
width	1852 mm
height	1448 mm
weight	2125 - 2290 kg
related	BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé (G26) BMW i3 (G28)
motor	Front and rear motor combined output, 3-phase electrically excited synchronous motor
powerout	200 –
battery	lithium-ion NMC chemistry 400V class (430V nominal) 83.9 kWh capacity
electric range	Maximum 580 km NEDC Maximum 590 km WLTP
charging	DC 205 kW AC 11 kW
model years	2022–2026‡R3R‡

The BMW i4 (model code G26) is a battery electric compact executive car produced by BMW since 2021. It has a five-door liftback body style and is marketed as a four-door coupé. The initial concept version, named BMW i Vision Dynamics, debuted at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. It is the fifth BMW i sub-brand model, and is sold in several variants at different performance levels, including the first battery-electric variant by BMW's motorsport division.[4] The production version was revealed in March 2021 and went on sale in November of the same year as a 2022 model.

Development and launch

An investment of about €200 million in the Munich plant was made in preparation for the 2021 series production as the G26 BMW i4 is built on the same assembly line as cars with combustion engines and plug-in hybrids.[5] While 90% of the existing production equipment in the body shop were incorporated into the production process of the i4,[6]

Equipment

All models feature the iDrive 8 infotainment system, including an updated voice-controlled assistant and gesture control system, while the iDrive controller is also retained on the centre console.[30] The interface is sourced through the BMW Curved Display that combines the 12.3 in instrument cluster and 14.9 in infotainment system with a redesigned touch interface within a single unit.[30] The iDrive 8 system features Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, compatible with 5G mobile technology, while third-party applications for communication and music streaming are also integrated within the system.[31] The over-the-air functionality is increased and incorporate updates to driving functions, such as driving assistance and semi-autonomous features.[30] A number of ambient lighting elements are placed throughout the cabin and change color depending on the driving mode.[32] The iDrive 8 system is integrated with the new My BMW App for smartphones.[33]

Standard equipment includes a sports steering wheel with multifunction buttons and sports seats, three-zone climate control, acoustic glazing for the windshield, pre-heating and pre-conditioning, and an electrically-operated tailgate. Optional equipment includes seat heating and ventilation, M Sport Package Pro, ambient lighting and a glass slide/tilt sunroof. An M Carbon exterior package and M Performance Parts can also be ordered as an option.[34] The i4 offer a 10-speaker audio system with a 205-watt amplifier as standard, while a Harman Kardon system with 16 speakers with a digital seven-channel amplifier is an optional equipment.[22] Full LED headlights and tail lights are standard, though the former can be upgraded to adaptive units with BMW Laserlight and BMW Selective Beam function.[25] It is available in wheel sizes from 17 inch to 20 inch with wider rear tires as standard.[17]

The i4 comes with an acoustic pedestrian protection system, which is an artificially generated sound (including optional false engine sounds)[28] produced by the exterior speakers that is active when driving up to 21 kph in Europe or 31 kph in the US. Furthermore, it has up to 40 driver assistance systems, enabling Level 2 semi autonomous driving.[17] Standard driver assistance systems including lane departure warning, intelligent speed adaptation, collision warning with braking intervention, front and rear parking sensors, and a backup camera.[34] A Driving Assistance Professional package is optional, which adds adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane-keep assist with side collision avoidance, and rear automatic emergency braking. The optional parking assistant system displays a three-dimensional 360-degree view of the car and its surroundings.[34] The maximum towing capacity is 1600 kg, with an additional 75 kg roof load possible.[29]

M Performance parts can be fitted 35-40 models in the M Sport Trim and all M50 models. These include carbon fibre mirrors, spoiler, kidney grille trim, splitter, diffuser, rear bumper trim, front vents and gear lever, M wheels, interior alcantara, a sport steering wheel and sport seats.

Concept cars

The BMW i4 was previewed by three concept cars: the BMW Vision Next 100 (2016), BMW i Vision Dynamics (2017) and BMW Concept i4 (2020).[41]

BMW i Vision Dynamics (2017)

The initial BMW i Vision Dynamics concept debuted at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show,[42] and was built on the flexible CLAR platform rather than a carbon-fibre structure as with the contemporary i3 and i8 electric models.[43] The i Vision Dynamics concept gave a hint at BMW's intention to make a mid-sized EV four-door coupé.[44] It was powered by a single electric motor on the rear axle. The car had projected performance figures of 0–100 km/h in 4.0 seconds, and a top speed of over 200 kph. BMW's range goal for the i Vision Dynamics was 600 km on the European WLTP cycle. The design of the i Vision Dynamics was based on the study Vision Next 100 from 2016.[45]

Although the interior was not finished, BMW promised a great view outwards via the "flush integration of glass into the main body".[46] Controversially, the i Vision Dynamics featured a reworking of the double-kidney grille that covered a plethora of sensors.[47] Depending on the legal environment, BMW intimated that the goal was to launch the production car with the capability to work at Level 3 or Level 4 autonomous driving, which require differing types of human input depending on circumstances.[42]

The production version was announced at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show as the BMW i4.[48] At the 2018 Paris Motor Show, BMW confirmed the launch year for the i4 as being 2021.[49]

The headlight design was introduced in 2022 on the G70 7 Series and the facelifted G07 X7, while the rear light design was adopted in 2019 on the F44 2 Series Gran Coupé and G06 X6.

BMW Concept i4 (2020)

The BMW Concept i4 was presented in March 2020 and reiterated a lot of i4's specifications that was shared at the LA Auto Show in November 2019. The design language of the Concept i4 was more closely resembled to the production model than the i Vision Dynamics, and confirmed the i4 as an all-electric version of the G26 4 Series Gran Coupé.[50] The single rear-motor was projected to be rated at 390 kW that was on par with one of BMW's V8 combustion engines, though media doubted this claim as V8's are connected to a xDrive system.[51] It was clarified that the i4 would come with an EPA-estimated range of 270 mi from an 80 kWh battery pack,[50] though the production model has an EPA-rated range of 300 mi.[52]

The BMW Concept i4 was an evolution of the i Vision Dynamics design study from 2017. The proportions were classic coupé, featuring a long wheelbase, fastback roofline and short overhangs. The exterior design had been kept simple with its smooth lines and clear surfaces "as a deliberate counterpoint to the dynamic flair of the driving experience".