BMW i4

The BMW i4 is an all-electric four-door fastback styled sedan under development by German automobile manufacturer BMW, marketed as a four-door coupé with sales commencing in 2021. It was first unveiled as a concept car named i Vision Dynamics at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. The i4 is the fifth BMW i sub-brand model, and one of BMW's 25 electrified models by 2023.[2]

BMW i4
BMW Concept i4
Overview
ManufacturerBMW
Also calledBMW i Vision Dynamics
Production2021 (planned)
AssemblyGermany: Munich
DesignerLim Seung-mo (i Vision Dynamics)[1]
Body and chassis
ClassCompact executive car (D)
Body style4-door fastback sedan
Layout
PlatformCluster Architecture (CLAR)
Powertrain
Electric motorFront and rear motor combined output, 3-phase synchronous motor
TransmissionSingle-speed with fixed ratio
Battery80 kWh lithium-ion
Electric range600 km (373 miles) WLTP
Plug-in charging
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,993 mm (117.8 in)
Length4,804 mm (189.1 in)
Width1,933 mm (76.1 in)
Height1,387 mm (54.6 in)

Development and launch

The initial i Vision Dynamics concept debuted at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show,[3] and was built on the flexible CLAR platform rather than a carbon-fibre structure as with the contemporary i3 and i8 electric models.[4] The production version was announced at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show as the BMW i4.[5] A second concept, designed as 85% production ready, was unveiled in March 2020.[6]

An investment of about €200 million in the Munich plant was made in preparation for the 2021 series production as it is built on the same assembly line as cars with combustion engines and plug-in hybrids.[7] While 90% of the existing production equipment in the body shop were incorporated into the production process of the i4,[8] several new systems were required mainly for the floor assembly and rear structure as the electric drive and high-voltage battery are different from conventional architectures.[9] The plant was closed for six weeks to convert more than 1000 robots in the body shop and assembly area to prepare it for the assembly of the i4. The electric motor is assembled in Dingolfing.[10]

At the 2018 Paris Motor Show, BMW confirmed the i4 would utilize lightweight construction to make the model attractive in an electric market weighed down by bulky batteries that reduce on-road handling.[11] The engineers ensured "the spontaneous power delivery of the electric motor is combined with precisely controllable handling in every situation". An i4-specific damper design helps to "[reduce] the dipping movements of the body" under acceleration, while the "actuator-related wheel slip limitation" stability control system has been fitted to aid traction and more quickly detect and react to wheel slip.[12] Other factors that helped the i4 in terms of driving dynamics includes dimensions like wheelbase, track widths, model-specific camber values, large wheels, Servotronic power steering, as well as the high torsional rigidity along with the low centre of gravity and weight distribution.[13]

  • BMW i Vision Dynamics (2017)
  • BMW Concept i4 (2020)

Specifications

The production model is based on the modular CLAR platform to keep costs low and volume-production attainable,[14] and it is described as a battery-powered G20 3 Series.[15][16]

The electric drive component of the BMW i4, its charging unit and high-voltage battery are all developed in-house by the BMW Group. A notable technical feature of the i4's powertrain concerns its packaging. The electric motor, transmission and power electronics are all contained in a single component, which allows for a higher efficiency of energy conversion.[17]

The fifth-generation eDrive system supports up to 150 kW DC fast charging. The 80 kWh battery pack, which weighs roughly 550 kg (1,213 lb), can be charged to 80 percent in 35 minutes or six minutes for a range of 100 km (62 mi).[18] The design of the high-voltage battery is characterized by its extremely flat design and optimized energy density.[19]

Equipment

All models feature the new BMW Curved Display that combines the 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 14.9-inch infotainment system with a redesigned touch interface within a single unit. The system includes an updated "Hey BMW" voice-controlled assistant and the iDrive controller is also retained on the centre console.[14] The driving sounds are co-developed with Academy Award winner Hans Zimmer.[20]

Models

The model planned to be introduced at launch is the i440 with a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive layout. Additional power and range models will be available.[21] The M-branded i4 M50 with a dual-motor xDrive all-wheel system will be the first battery-electric vehicle by BMW's motorsport division.[22] The base model i435 will arrive at a later date.[23]

Specifications[21][24][23]
Model i435 i440 i4 M50 xDrive
Powertrain Rear-motor rear-wheel drive Dual-motor all-wheel drive
Base price (German market) €TBA €TBA €TBA
Availability Early 2022 Late 2021
Battery capacity (useable) 60 kWh (TBA) 80 kWh (TBA)
Range TBA 373 mi (600 km)WLTP TBA
Motor 3-phase synchronous electric motor 3-phase synchronous electric motor front and rear
Power (peak) 200 kW (272 PS; 268 hp)[25] 246 kW (334 PS; 330 hp) 390 kW (530 PS; 523 hp)
Torque (peak) TBA TBA TBA
Acceleration
0–100 km/h (62 mph)		 TBA TBA 4.0 seconds
Top Speed N/A N/A 200 km/h (124 mph)
DC Fast Charge (DCFC) Speed Up to DC 150 kW via CCS Combo 2
AC On-board Charge Speed 3-phase AC 11 kW via Type 2
Luggage[25] 1,290 L (46 cu ft) max volume with rear seats folded and rear trunk. 470 L (17 cu ft) rear trunk + 38 L (1 cu ft) for charging cables under the rear trunk.

Concept cars

BMW i Vision Dynamics

The BMW i Vision Dynamics debuted at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show.

BMW Concept i4

The BMW Concept i4 was revealed in March 2020 with BMW saying that some of its design feature would make it to the BMW i4 as well as other BMW electric cars[26].

References
  1. "'Korean car designers play greater roles'". The Korea Times. 2019-04-15. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
  2. Canada, Shop All Cars. "BMW i4 - One of 25 Electrified Models by 2023". ShopAllCars. ShopAllCars. Retrieved 20 November 2020.
  3. "BMW i Vision Dynamics concept-inspired i5 to spark new era of i cars". Autocar. 2017-09-22. Retrieved 2018-03-10.
  4. "Insight: how new BMW platforms can cope with multiple powertrains". Autocar. 2017-12-04. Retrieved 2019-09-12.
  5. "BMW confirms new electric i4 sedan coming to production based on Vision Dynamics concept". Electrek. 2018-03-06. Retrieved 2018-03-10.
  6. Quiroga, Tony (2020-03-03). "BMW Readies i4, Its Answer to Tesla". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  7. "BMW puts €200M into Munich plant to make electric i4". Electrive. 2018-12-11. Retrieved 2018-12-11.
  8. "BMW unveils Concept i4 electric Gran Coupé; 600 km range". Green Car Congress. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  9. "BMW Group's home plant ready for BMW i4". Automotive World. Retrieved 2020-09-12.
  10. "BMW to convert Munich plant for i4 production this summer". electrive.com. 2020-01-17. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
  11. "New 2021 BMW i4 will spearhead rapid electric expansion". Autocar. 2018-10-02. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  12. "2021 BMW i4 teased | CarAdvice". CarAdvice.com. 2021-01-24. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  13. "BMW i4 can and will drift". CarWale. 2021-01-25. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  14. "New BMW i4 to take BMW electric cars mainstream in 2021". Auto Express. 2018-10-17. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  15. "What's Going on at BMW? Many Future/Current Cars Are Being Axed". Automobile Magazine. 2019-07-29. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  16. "BMW r&d chief sees rising demand for diverse, multifunctional powertrains". Automotive News Europe. 2020-01-05. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  17. "BMW i4: this is how far and how hard BMW's latest electric car will go". Motorburn. 2019-12-04. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  18. "BMW details i4 electric car, stresses next-gen advances". electrive.com. 2019-11-18. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
  19. "BMW plans different sized battery cells to preserve design of future models". Autonews. 2018-04-18. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
  20. "BMW Concept i4 to go into series production in 2021". www.autodevot.com. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  21. "2021 BMW i4 details revealed: 80-kWh battery, 530 hp, 373-mile range". CNET.
  22. "BMW's motorsport division announces first EV based on the i4". Engadget. Retrieved 2020-09-28.
  23. "BMW i4 Will Reportedly Have Three Variants, Base Model With Around 280 HP". Carscoops. 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
  24. O'Kane, Sean (2020-03-03). "BMW's electric i4 sedan finally shown off in concept form". The Verge. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  25. "BMW i4: Prototyp des Tesla-Fighters". AUTOMOBIL PRODUKTION Online (in German). 2021-01-16. Retrieved 2021-01-18.
  26. "Behold: the all-electric, BMW Concept i4". Top Gear. 2020-03-03. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
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