EV Brief 7/17/21 EV Brief 7/17/21

BMW i4 electric sedan set for early 2022 launch priced from $99,900 MSRP

BMW has always been famous for its sports sedans, having sold close to 5 million 3 series models since the line was introduced in the mid-1970s. The i4 aims to carry on that legacy, but with zero tailpipe emissions.

i4 eDrive40 priced from $99,900 MSRP, offering 250kW/430Nm from a single motor with a 590 kilometre WLTP range
i4 M50 priced from $124,900 MSRP, offering 400kW/795Nm from two motors with xDrive
all-wheel-drive with 510 kilometre WLTP range
M50 model performs 0-100km/h sprint in 3.9-seconds
BMW Operating System 8 fitted as standard
5 years free DC rapid charging with the Chargefox network in Australia

It wasn’t long ago that Klaus Fröhlich, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development said in an interview that the discussion around electric vehicles was “a bit irrational”. His qualified this with “Perhaps in the eastern region of China; Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong … they might be 100 per cent electric. But the world – Russia, Australia, USA, big portions of Europe – they will have combustion engines for a very long time.”

And yet here we are. BMW has always been famous for its sports sedans, having sold close to 5 million 3 series models since the line was introduced in the mid-1970s. The company was also an early pioneer in electrification, with the quirky i3 city car sporting a revolutionary mass-produced carbon monocoque, and making recycled plastic and hemp fibre interiors cool, long before the likes of Mazda, Hyundai and Mercedes-Benz started on the trend.

The i4 is a liftback sedan (similar to the petrol and diesel-powered 4 series) based on BMW’s Cluster Architecture (CLAR). This flexible platform was built for EVs from the ground up, maximising packaging efficiency for electric motors and drivetrain components.

The i4 eDrive40 and i4 M50 will land in Australia with adaptive M suspension as standard and M Sport brakes, M Light alloy wheels, and variable sport steering. The M50 adds electric all-wheel-drive and a second motor for greater acceleration. Speaking of which, 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) is dispatched in 3.9 seconds on the M50 variant, and 5.7 seconds on the eDrive40 model.

In terms of battery technology, the pack is comprised of four modules with 72 cells each and three 12-cell modules, for a total of 324 cells and 84 kWh (gross). BMW states 200kW DC fast charging is possible, which will be free for owners for the first 5 years when using Chargefox infrastructure. The automaker claims the car’s range can be increased by as much as 164 kilometres (102 miles) in 10 minutes at a 10 percent state of charge. While certainly rapid, it pales in comparison to Hyundai’s 800 volt IONIQ 5 which adds 100 km (62 miles) of range in four minutes when charging at 220 kW.

BMW has invested a lot of money in its electric vehicle production; one hundred percent green energy is used for both vehicle production and battery cell manufacturing, and the company has set an ambitious goal of net carbon-neutral production across all locations by the end of 2021. At this year’s annual general meeting, the BMW group announced that it will avoid the emission of over 200 million tonnes of CO2 by 2030.

Scroll down for pricing and standard equipment for the Australian market, as well as a gallery of images.

EV Brief 6/6/21 EV Brief 6/6/21

BMW releases pricing information, additional details and images of iX electric SUV

The iX xDrive50 M Sport cuts an imposing figure. Images: BMW AG

iX range headlined by iX xDrive50 M Sport with 385 kW (530 PS), 765 Nm (564 lb-ft), 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.6 seconds
iX xDrive 50 fitted with massive 111.5 kWh (105.2 kWh gross) battery while iX 40 utilises a 76.6 kWh (71 kWh gross) battery pack
iX xDrive 50 models offer 611 km (380 mi) WLTP range, iX xDrive 40 models 414 km (257 mi) WLTP range
New technology including all-wheel-drive system with near-actuator wheel slip limitation technology
Price from £69,905 (UK OTR) / $84,195 (US - xDrive 50 only) / € 77,300 (Ger) / $135,900 (AU)
European and Australian customer deliveries are expected from late 2021, North American deliveries will begin in Q1 2022

A performance-focused tech-laden SUV

BMW is on a global electric vehicle model offensive, with the iX3 recently launched in Europe and China, and the i4 sedan making its public debut last week for the first time. With the worldwide success of the BMW X-series SUVs, the Munich automaker has prioritised bringing the iX range to customers over the i4, as it looks to capture market share from the established Audi e-tron and Tesla’s Model X series, and beat the likes of Volvo and Porsche to market with a full-size electric SUV.

BMW is looking to ensure the iX xDrive40 and xDrive50 models live up to the “Ultimate Driving Machine” tagline. The iX features an aluminium spaceframe construction, with Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) components for the side frame, rain channels, roof frame, cowl panel and rear window frame. These form a lightweight, torsion-resistant ‘Carbon Cage’.

BMW also includes front and rear anti-roll bars on the iX combined with a hydraulic damping system, to optimise the vehicle’s ride between comfort and sport driving. There’s a front double-wishbone suspension for higher steering precision, and a five-link rear suspension and aluminium again used on control arms, steering forks and the like for weight savings and improve chassis response.

The performance is impressive across the range; the “base” xDrive40 model delivers 240kW (326 PS) and 630Nm (465 lb-ft), for a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) time of 6.1 seconds. WIth 385 kW (530 PS) and 765 Nm (564 lb-ft), the xDrive 50 M Sport hits the 100 km/h benchmark in 4.6 seconds.

A new generation of battery technology

BMW is supplied with battery cells to exacting specifications by CATL, Northvolt and Samsung SDI, and assembles the battery modules at its own plants. BMW claims a 20 percent energy density improvement over previous generations’ technologies, and the xDrive 40, with 77 kWh, offers a WLTP rated range of 425 km (264 mi). The monstrous 112kWh pack in the xDrive 50 M Sport claims a 630 km (391 mi) WLTP range.

The BMW iX range can also charge at up to 200 kW using a DC fast charger. BMW claims 90 miles (145 km) of range can be added in just ten minutes at 200 kW. The iX can also replenish its battery from 10-80 percent in less than 40 minutes. It’s worth pointing out that Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 has already demonstrated its market-leading charging prowess in the real world, replenishing 10-80% of range in 18 minutes when plugged into a 350 kW DC charger, and adding 62 miles (100km) of range in four minutes.

Australian Models and Pricing:

UK Models and Pricing

EV Brief 6/2/21 EV Brief 6/2/21

BMW i4 M50 and i4 eDrive40 electric sedan models set for November 2021 launch [updated]

BMW has revealed more details and images of its i4 range, with the i4 M50 and i4 eDrive40 the first models available for pre-order.

BMW has revealed more details and images of its i4 range, with the i4 M50 and i4 eDrive40 the first models available for pre-order. You can find a gallery with new images from BMW below. This article will be updated with full details and specifications as soon as we can.

i4 range headlined by i4 M50 with 400 kW (544 PS), 795 Nm (586 lb-ft), 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.9 seconds
i4 eDrive 40 offers 250 kW (340 PS), 430 Nm (317 lb-ft), 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds
83.9 kWh battery pack offers 590 kilometres (367 miles) range in the WLTP cycle
Extensive use of secondary raw materials, natural materials and recycled materials
Northern Hemisphere deliveries to start in Autumn 2021

20210409-P90422899_highRes_bmw-i4-interieur (1).jpg

Performance-oriented electric sedan

BMW is placing a great deal of emphasis on the dynamic and sporty characteristics of the i4 range, and the electric sedan debuts the flexible vehicle architecture that will underpin the Bavarian automaker’s future electric line up.

The suspension is tuned for handling, with a double-joint spring strut front axle and a five-link rear axle. Lift-related dampers and rear-axle air suspension come as standard. BMW’s fifth-generation eDrive technology claims a power density of up to 2.14 kW/kg, resulting in instantaneous power delivery. The i4 M50 sprints to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.9 seconds, while the eDrive 40 variant makes the dash in a respectable 5.7 seconds.

There’s an 83.9 kWh lithium-ion battery, offering 590 kilometres (367 miles) of range on the WLTP cycle, and the ability to charge from 10-80% at a 200 kW peak rate in 31 minutes. The i4 offers up to 11kW on an AC 3-phase charger.

BMW claims 164 kilometres (102 miles) can be added to the i4 eDrive40 in 10 minutes, and 140 kilometres (87 miles) to the i4 M50 in the same time.

Both models come with four-piston fixed front brake calipers and single-piston floating rear calipers. All discs are ventilated.

Exterior Styling

The i4 continues the large kidney grille theme that debuted on the production 4-series models, but with a closed-in front end to aid aerodynamics. The i4 achieves a drag coefficient figure of 0.24 Cd, making it slightly less slippery than the Tesla Model 3 (0.21 Cd) and Polestar 2 (0.23 Cd).

The i4 has a lot of familiar elements about it: the GranCoupe-style roofline, the broad rear lights, and the signature Hofmeister kink. The i4 is 4,783mm long, 1,852mm wide 1,448 high, and sports a 2,856mm wheelbase. That’s pretty close to Tesla’s Model 3 and the Polestar 2, though the BMW does sit lower.

European specifications offer 17” alloy wheels on the eDrive 40 model, and 18” alloy wheels of the M50 model. These will likely be shod in low rolling-resistance rubber.

The i4 M50 sports a number of signature BMW design elements. Image: BMW

Sport meets luxury on the inside, with sustainable materials

Any current BMW owner would feel comfortable stepping into the i4. The usual sports seats and sports steering wheel are present, as are the BMW iDrive controller and angled-towards-the-drive centre console.

BMW’s Operating System 8 graces the control system, and BMW promises remote software upgrades will be available to keep improving the car’s functions. There’s a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, and a 14.9 inch control display for driver and passenger. Vernasca leather and BMW Individual leather are available, as well as an artificial Sensatec option.

BMW claims over 40 driver assistance functions are available including Active Cruise Control with automatic Speed Limit Assist, route monitoring function, and reaction to traffic lights (in Germany).

BMW says that its battery cells are manufactured using 100 percent green energy, and the company has also achieved controlled, sustainable extraction of cobalt and lithium for the batteries. Recycled and secondary raw materials are used to minimise the virgin plastics needed in the car.

The i4 is expected to launch in November 2021 to European customers. It will land in Australia in early 2022 according to BMW Australia, and can already be preordered via BMW’s website.