BMW i4

BMW i4 at a glance

From concept to production

Three concept cars led to the i4: the BMW Vision Next 100 of 2016, the i Vision Dynamics shown at the 2017 Frankfurt show and the Concept i4 of March 2020. The production car was revealed in March 2021, about three months ahead of plan. Production in Munich started in October 2021, and sales began in November 2021 as a 2022 model. For the start of i4 production in 2021, BMW invested about €200 million in the Munich plant so that electric and combustion cars can share one line. The electric motors come from BMW's plant in Dingolfing.

The i4 is not built on a dedicated electric platform but on BMW's CLAR architecture, and its body shell is that of the G26 4 Series Gran Coupé.

Versions and performance

Figures are from Wikipedia's version table; the PS values for eDrive35 to M50 are those quoted by BMW at the 2024 facelift. The EV database evkx.net lists the xDrive40 and the M60 xDrive as the versions still available in 2026. All versions are in the BMW catalogue. The eDrive35 is the lightest version, at 2,070 kg against 2,125 kg for the eDrive40 and 2,290 kg for the M50.

Battery, range and charging

The eDrive40, xDrive40, M50 and M60 use an 83.9 kWh battery with 81.5 kWh of usable capacity; BMW gave 81 kWh net at the facelift. The eDrive35 has a smaller 70.2 kWh pack (66 kWh usable, 67 kWh in BMW's 2024 data).

On a DC charger the 81.5 kWh versions accept up to 200 to 205 kW and charge from 10 to 80 percent in about 31 minutes. The eDrive35 charges at up to 180 kW and needs about 32 minutes. At home or at public AC points the i4 charges at up to 11 kW, which fills the battery from empty in under eight hours, so an overnight charge on a wallbox is enough for a full battery. In the US the EPA rated the eDrive35 at 418 km.

Facelift of 2024

BMW presented the updated i4 in April 2024, and sales started in July 2024. Outside there are new kidney-grille patterns, with horizontal bars on the M50 and a honeycomb on the other versions. Two vertical, arrow-shaped daytime running lights replaced the earlier signature. Matrix LED headlights with blue inserts and rear lights with glass-fibre elements are optional. Inside, the climate controls and seat heating moved to the touchscreen and voice control. A small switch replaced the gear lever, and ambient lighting became standard. The battery sizes stayed the same: Motor1 lists 81 kWh net for the large and 67 kWh for the small battery. BMW's facelift data include the all-wheel-drive xDrive40 with 295 kW (401 PS) and 600 Nm; Wikipedia dates its availability from May 2023.

Practicality

The i4 is a liftback, so the whole rear window opens with the boot lid. The boot holds 470 litres, plus a 38-litre compartment for the charging cables, and up to 1,290 litres with the rear seats folded. The body is 4,785 mm long, 1,852 mm wide and 1,448 mm tall on a 2,856 mm wheelbase.

Safety

Euro NCAP tested the i4 in 2022. It scored 87 percent for adult occupants, 87 for children, 71 for pedestrians and 64 for the assistance systems. The assistance score of 64 percent was the weakest of the four areas. ANCAP adopted similar results for Australia.

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