These new battery BMWs, are not shy when it comes to kWs
BMW has finally revealed the customer specification of its new i4 range, and the performance numbers are impressive. We've already had a first look at the all-new BMW i4 in terms of design, but now all the power and range details have been showcased.
As the ‘Werke moves to embrace an electrified product portfolio, it is not compromising on power. Although crossovers and SUVs are being tables as the lead product configurations for electric vehicles, BMW has not abandoned its commitment to luxury sedans.
The new i4 four-door enters the market with an eDrive40 derivatives. True to BMW’s engineering heritage, this i4 is rear-wheel drive and produces 250 kW, supported by 430 Nm. Those numbers aren’t too dissimilar to what you’d get in a standard BMW M340i.
Performance is brisk, with the benchmark 0-100kph in 5.9 seconds and with an 83.9kWh battery pack, BMW claims 483 km of driving range.
The next variant is an i4 M50, which is all-wheel drive and has 400kW of available power. This is a veritable electric M-car, capable of 0-100kph in only 3.9 seconds. It uses the same battery capacity as i4 eDrive40, with a reduced range of 394km. Truth be told, if one uses the performance potential, the M50 driving endurance will be a lot less, than that.
Beyond its new i4s, BMW has also confirmed the iX crossover’s specification. All these electric BMWs have dual motors, each driving an axle. On the iX xDrive50, peak power is 385 kW, making it capable of 0-100kph of 4.6 seconds and 483 km of range.
The iX xDrive50 uses a larger 111.5kWh battery, compared to i4, and is being offered with adaptive air suspension, with 30mm of ride height adjustment.
Inside these new battery-powered BMWs, the cabin architecture sees a 50% reduction in physical switches and buttons, whilst the helm is now a hexagonal shape. Instrumentation is displayed via 12.3-inch digital display, whilst infotainment is controlled with a 14.9inch touchscreen.
These new BMWs are all 5G compatible, too. The first-ever BMW i4, along with the first-ever BMW iX, will be available in South Africa from the first quarter of 2022.
Further Reading
BMW i4: First Images and Details Revealed
