BMW teases i4 electric sedan with new images and details; BMW M Performance version to follow
BMW has teased exterior images of the new i4 Gran Coupe EV at its annual conference in Munich, Germany overnight. The automaker is drawing out the launch, with full technical specifications and interior images to be released over the next few weeks.
BMW shows off its first all electric sports sedan - the i4 Gran Coupe with up to 590km (366mi) WLTP range
BMW has teased exterior images of the new i4 Gran Coupe EV at its annual conference in Munich, Germany overnight. The automaker is drawing out the launch, with full technical specifications and interior images to be released over the next few weeks.
BMW promises up to 590km (366mi) WLTP range, power up to 390 kW (530PS) as well as a BMW Motorsport version (eventually). We can expect the i4 Gran Coupe to compete against a range of vehicles in the competitive sports sedan class, from Tesla’s Model 3, Model S and Polestar 2 at the more affordable end, to the Porsche Taycan and Audi E-Tron GT when BMW announces an i4 Gran Coupe M Performance.
Broadly sharing most of the design details from the concept i4, the usual “toning down” has taken place, with less futuristic headlights to satisfy various legal and cost constraints, conventional side mirrors and smaller wheels.
The large “grille” remains, along with vertical front intakes, slim, broad taillights and BMW’s signature Hofmeister kink on the rear doors. We like it; though it lacks the “wow” effect of the concept i4, proportions are sound, and the design details are contemporary. One thing though; please lose the blue highlights BMW!
The BMW Concept i4 vs. the production i4:
The BMW concept i4
The BMW i4 Gran Coupe
The i4 will be built on BMW’s flexible and modular CLuster ARchitecture (CLAR) platform, on which the iX3 and iX SUVs are based. Notably, BMW will produce the i4 Gran Coupe on the same production lines as petrol and diesel models, thanks to a massive €200 million retooling of the Munich assembly plant.
Most manufacturers—including BMW—are focusing on the development of crossovers and SUVs based on their next generation electric architectures, so it’s great to see Munich also prioritising an all-electric sports saloon.
As mentioned, further technical details and imagery is expected to be launched over the next few weeks. While BMW has yet to reveal pricing and launch timing, we can expect the i4 to follow the iX SUV to market in early 2022.
Images: BMW AG
Porsche readying its all electric Taycan Cross Turismo for launch
Porsche has released some further information on the upcoming Taycan Cross Turismo estate today, with the head of the Taycan model line, Stefan Weckbach, putting the pre-production car through its paces against a frozen European backdrop.
Porsche’s Taycan Cross Turismo is an electric soft-roader with style
Porsche has released some further information on the upcoming Taycan Cross Turismo estate today, with the head of the Taycan model line, Stefan Weckbach, putting the pre-production car through its paces against a frozen European backdrop.
It’s been three years since the striking Porsche Mission E Cross Turismo concept was launched, and the pre production Taycan Cross Turismo features in the below video, lightly camouflaged and retaining many of the design elements of the Mission E concept.
Porsche’s 2018 Mission E Corss Turismo concept. Image: Porsche
“With the Taycan Cross Turismo, we wanted to offer a little bit more space, a little more flexibility and versatility,” Weckbach says from behind the wheel. “We developed a completely new roofline, fitted with roof rails, a more generous second row and bigger trunk, all to make a car that is perfect for an active lifestyle. A car that is perfect for both an urban environment and the countryside.”
Weckbach didn’t divulge any specifications of the Taycan Cross Turismo, but expect similar Turbo S/Turbo/4S drivetrain options to the standard Taycan. It appears to have a longer wheelbase the the standard Taycan too, possibly creating additional interior and storage space. Naturally, as an elevated soft-roader, the Taycan Cross Turismo has light off roading capabilities. “In order to enable it to handle light off-roading and gravel roads,” Weckbach states, “we increased the ground clearance. And we optimised our suspension system so the Cross Turismo comes with a CUV (cross utility vehicle) specific driving mode. This makes sure it does well on gravel roads in terms of stability, performance, and dynamics.”
The Taycan Cross Turismo undergoing final pre-production testing.
The Taycan Cross Turismo is a big car on a big wheelbase. Image: Motor 1
The Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo prototype. Image: Motor 1
Porsche’s Taycan has been a success, with the company selling over 20,000 vehicles in 2020. Porsche obviously wants to capitalise on the Taycan platform, and it’s likely that we could see a non-elevated version—a Taycan Sport Turismo—sometime in the future too. As previous owners of German fast wagons, we’ve big fans of the fact that Porsche is continuing to launch fast wagons. With the global trend towards big heavy SUVS, let’s just hope that people actually buy the Taycan Cross Turismo. Porsche is expected to announce a launch date sometime in the second quarter of 2021.
