BMW i4 hits sweet spot with range, power and handling

Published on 16 March, 2022

Overview

IN just under a decade BMW has brought electrification from quirky to downright sexy.

Looking back, it’s hard to believe that the i3, with its futuristic shape and suicide doors, rolled off the production line in 2014 with a tiny 22kWh battery and an electric motor with the equivalent of 170bhp.

Even more surprising was the minuscule range of just 160km — which in real life was closer to 120km.

Inside, it was a fully digital affair, with one small screen acting as an instrument cluster and the other for streaming music.

The seats were made from recycled plastic bottles and the gear selector was a giant switch on a huge stalk beside the steering.

Acceleration was brisk, shooting from 0-100kph in 7.2 seconds — which was quicker than a similar sized 120 diesel.

Fast forward eight years and the Bavarians have gone full funk with the i4, which is nothing short of breathtaking in terms of design and technology.

Just reading the spec sheet will make their rivals weep.

For starters, the entry-level eDrive 40 has a face-peeling 340bhp, a 0-100kph sprint of 5.7 seconds and a go-anywhere-in-Ireland range of 590km from the 80kWh battery.

Those looking for a bit more adventure could opt for the M50, which has a super-car-like 544bhp, all-wheel drive hitting 100kph in 3.9 seconds and a claimed range of 510km.

Deciding that the 3-series wasn’t desirable enough, BMW chose the four-door Gran Coupe version as a design template and it looks stunning.

Subtle tweaks like the solid front grille and the absence of tail pipes in the rear diffuser hint at it’s zero emission credentials.

The biggest giveaway is on the inside, which is glorious too, with a state-of-the-art cockpit straight out of the much more expensive iX SUV.

The curved digital dash comprising of two 12.5-inch displays dominate the cabin and is home to the system 8 iDrive software for sat nav, music, apps and the latest in autonomous driving aids.

Under the skin is the fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology, which allows for high powered charging (up to 200kW) and will see the range upped by 165km in just 10 minutes.

Using a conventional wallbox, the battery can go from totally empty to 100pc in under 8.5 hours.

We had a brief spin in the 40 at Mount Juliet last week, where a four-ball looked on in envious admiration as we wafted by the first tee box with a gentle whirr.

The winding B-roads around Thomastown proved the perfect environment as we unleashed the full-on power.

The rear-wheel drive set up gives it a real BMW feel and the fun factor is there in spades — especially if you push your luck in wetter conditions.

Like its ICE sibling, the i4 is perfectly composed, agile and with pinpoint precision steering is worthy of being called a proper Beamer.

We are simply salivating at just how tantalising the M50 will be, with a bespoke adaptive M suspension with individually configured springs and dampers, specially designed anti-roll bars and variable sport steering.

Throw in all-wheel drive, new near-actuator wheel slip limitation including launch control, M Sport brakes and 20-inch light-alloy wheels with mixed-size tyres and you have a proper hooligan on your hands.

With that range, power and handling, the party may very well be over for Tesla.

Prices for the i4 start at €63,566 and the M50 costs €78,315.