BMW has released the pricing for their long-awaited and somewhat controversial-looking electric vehicle (EV), the i4.
With an 84kWh battery pack, range should be around 590km – more than enough for most of the population. Two models will be available in New Zealand’ the i4 eDrive 40, and the high-performance i4 M50 – the first-ever emissions-free BMW M car.
The eDrive 40 will have a single 250kW/430Nm electric engine that should get it to 100km/h in 5.7 seconds. The M50 ramps power using dual electric engines, with combined power at 400kW, torque to 795Nm and performance to 100km/h drops to 3.9 seconds, with a range of 590km.
The BMW i4 eDrive40 is priced from $109,900* which puts it between a base 420i Gran Coupé M Sport and the M440i xDrive Gran Coupé.
The models will be available in the first quarter of next year.
Both variants of the all-new BMW i4 will be manufactured at BMW Group Plant Munich with sustainability a core focus.
Electricity used to produce the vehicle in Munich is generated via hydroelectric plants in Bavaria, which is a key aspect of BMW Group’s plan to reduce its CO2 emissions in the production phase by 80 per cent by 2030.
2022 BMW i4: Flexible Vehicle Architecture, Higher Level Of Overall Coherence
The extremely slim high-voltage battery has a cell height of just 110 millimetres, is positioned low down in the vehicle floor and has a fixed connection with an aluminium shear panel and the front axle subframe.
A centre of gravity up to 53 millimetres lower than that of the BMW 3 Series Sedan combined with even weight distribution, a torsionally stiff and weight-minimised body, optimised aerodynamics (Cd of 0.24) and wide tracks provide the perfect recipe for BMW’s renowned sporting ability.
2022 BMW i4: Model-Specific Chassis Technology And Electric All-Wheel Drive
Both the i4 eDrive40e and M50 models for New Zealand come standard with adaptive M suspension that incorporates bespoke tuning, as well as variable sport steering, M Sport brakes and 19-inch M Light alloy wheels.
On the M50 variant, the system teams up with electric all-wheel-drive to deliver exceptional dynamic poise during bursts of speed and under intense lateral acceleration.
Demanding a large amount of power for more than 10 seconds in the BMW i4 M50 triggers Sport Boost, which unfurls not only the drive system’s maximum output but also its mighty maximum system torque of 795Nm.
The sporty driving experience is accompanied by BMW IconicSounds Electric, which is fitted as standard on both variants. This enables integration of new drive sound variants created as part of BMW’s collaboration with legendary film and music composer Hans Zimmer.
2022 BMW i4: Adaptive And Individually Adjustable Recuperation
Adaptive recuperation gives the efficiency and range of the BMW i4 an additional boost. In driving position D, a high, medium or low brake energy regeneration setting for all driving situations can be selected in the BMW iDrive menu.
In driving position B, a high level of recuperation is activated automatically, generating the distinctive one-pedal feeling.
Maximum recuperation power is 116kW in the BMW i4 eDrive40 and 195kW in the BMW i4 M50.
2022 BMW i4: High-Voltage Battery With The Latest Battery Cell Technology
Fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology comprises a high-voltage battery with the latest battery cell technology.
The gravimetric energy density of the lithium-ion battery has been increased by around 20 per cent in comparison with the battery in the current BMW i3. The gross energy content of the high-voltage battery is 84kWh.
An integrated heating and cooling system for the interior, the high-voltage battery and the drive system – which operates using an exceptionally efficient heat pump function – comes as standard on the BMW i4.
Anticipatory thermal management allows the operating temperature of the high-voltage battery to be optimised ahead of a stop at a fast-charging station, paving the way for rapid and efficient charging.
The Combined Charging Unit (CCU) of the BMW i4 has been designed to enable extremely flexible battery charging with DC charging possible at up to 200kW.
For example, in a short mid-journey stop at a high-power charging station, the car’s range can be increased by as much as 164 kilometres (BMW i4 eDrive40) and 140 kilometres (BMW i4 M50) within 10 minutes from a 10 per cent charge level.
2022 BMW i4: Wide Variety Of Driver Assistance Systems
Forty assistance functions are fitted as standard or available as options to provide safe and comfortable driving and parking. Highlights include Steering and Lane Control Assistant, Active Cruise Control and Speed Limit Assist.
Standard fitment technology and safety features include: Front-collision warning, Speed Limit Info, Lane Departure Warning, Park Distance Control, Reversing Assistant and Parking Assistant Plus including Surround View and Remote 3D View.
2022 BMW i4: ChargeNow Network In New Zealand
All new BMW electric vehicle owners will receive a free ChargeNow membership card and free membership.
BMW electric vehicle owners will also receive a 10% discount on all charging sessions used in the ChargeNow charging network for the first 24 months.
BMW i4 eDrive40 and M50 pricing*
BMW i4 eDrive40 $109,900*
BMW i4 M50 $137,900*
*Recommended Retail Pricing is shown and includes GST, but excludes on-road and delivery costs. Customers are advised to contact their nearest BMW dealer for all pricing enquiries.
BMW i4 eDrive40:
Standard specification highlights:
· Current-excited synchronous motor, rear
· 84 kWh high-voltage battery unit
o 250kW
o 430Nm
o 0-100km/h 5.7s
o Max range (WLTP) = 590km
- M Sport Package
- Adaptive M Suspension
- Comfort Access System
- M Sport Brakes
- Driving Assistant Professional
- Parking Assistant Plus
- Leather ‘Vernasca’ Upholstery
- Instrument panel in Sensatec
- 19” M Light Alloy Wheels
- Sport seats for driver and front passenger
- Seat heating, front
- BMW Head-up Display
- LED headlights incl. High Beam Assistant
- Automatic tailgate operation
- Electric seat adjustment
- Ambient light
- Galvanic embellishers for controls
- Storage compartment package
- Through-loading system
- Live Cockpit Professional
- Connected Package Professional
- Smartphone Integration
- HiFi Loudspeaker System, 10 speakers
- Wireless Charging
- DAB+ digital radio
- BMW IconicSounds Electric
- ChargeNow membership
- Model 2 Domestic charger
- Model 3 Public charging cable
BMW i4 M50:
Standard specification highlights (in addition to eDrive40):
· Two current-excited synchronous motors, front and rear
· 84 kWh high-voltage battery unit
o 400kW
o 795Nm
o 0-100km/h 3.9s
o Max range (WLTP) = 510km
- M Performance tuning and elements
- xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive system
- Lumbar support
- BMW Laserlight
- harman/kardon surround sound system, 16 speakers
- Glass roof, electric
- 19” M light alloy wheels with performance tyres
- M Technology Package
- M Rear Spoiler
- Metallic paintwork
2022 BMW i4: Option Packages
| Visibility Package | i4 eDrive40 | i4 M50 |
| Metallic paintwork Glass roof, electric BMW Laserlight | $5,800 | N/A |
| Comfort Package | i4 eDrive40 | i4 M50 |
| Steering wheel heating | | |
| Lumbar support | | Std |
| Seat heating front and rear | – | |
| Price | $1,700 | $1,050 |
2022 BMW i4: Technical Data
| Variant | Power | Torque | 0-100km/h (sec) | Battery (kWh) | Range (km, WLTP) |
| eDrive40 | 250kW | 430Nm | 5.7 | 84 | 590 |
| M50 | 400kW | 795Nm | 3.9 | 84 | 510 |
2022 BMW i4: Charging Data
| Charging rate | eDrive40 | M50 |
| Max DC Charge Rate | 200kW | 200kW |
| Range from 10 mins charge at Public Charger (max rate) | 164km | 140km |
| Public Charging 10 – 80% charge (max rate) | 0:31hrs (approx.) | 0:31hrs (approx.) |
| BMW i Wallbox 10 – 80% charge (11kW rate) | 8:30hrs (approx.) | 8:30hrs (approx.) |
| Domestic socket 10 – 80% charge (approx. 1.8kW rate) | 46:00hrs (approx.) | 46:00hrs (approx.) |