As is often the case with electric cars, manufacturers highlight the best equipped and most powerful models. Often to the detriment of the version offering the most autonomy. This is the case with our BMW i4 eDrive 40, much less publicized than the M50 version, but which offers much greater autonomy on paper. And in reality ?
If Tesla still remains the undisputed master of autonomy, some manufacturers are in ambush. This is the case of BMW, which would see itself stealing a few sales from the Palo Alto firm (although now based in Austin, Texas). And the entry-level BMW i4 has indeed enough to compete with the best-selling of all electric cars: the Tesla Model 3. If the BMW i4 M50 already tested is the most powerful with its 544 horsepower, the i4 eDrive 40 displays less power, 340 horsepower, less two-wheel drive, but a WLTP range given for 590 km!
It did not take less to want to test this electron twin of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé and ask the question whether precisely, it can not hold the dragee high to the queen of the market.
BMW i4Technical sheet
| Model | BMW i4 |
|---|---|
| Category | sedans |
| Power (horses) | 340 horsepower |
| Power (kw) | 250kW |
| 0 to 100 km/h | 5.7 seconds |
| Level of autonomy | 2 |
| Max speed | 190 km/h |
| Apple CarPlay | Yes |
| Android-Auto | Yes |
| Main screen size | 14.9 inches |
| Car side sockets | Type 2 Combo (CCS) |
| Length | 4783mm |
| Height | 1448mm |
| Lenght | 1852mm |
| Entry-level price | €59,700 |
Product sheet See the test |
BMW i4Design
Aesthetically, this BMW i4 eDrive 40 is the lookalike of its thermal cousin mentioned just above: 4.78 meters long (9 cm longer than a Tesla Model 3), 1.82 meters wide (3 cm shorter than the Tesla) and 1.44 meters tall. We also find the large beans in the front, although these partly lose their function of letting the air pass to the mechanics. They are therefore full on their upper part.
Special feature of our test version, the absence of exterior M Sport Pack. This is the “basic” finish which can be recognized by its slightly different front bumper, without large air inlets. It gains here in elegance and classicism what it loses in aggressiveness. A finish that also displays better autonomy!
If the white metallic paint “Minerlweiss” is an option charged € 1,090 all the same (plain black bodywork as standard), the bluish accents on the sills, around the front nostrils or in the rear diffuser are standard. Finally, note that while 17-inch rims are fitted as standard, our test model was fitted with 19-inch aero rims that suit it particularly well. €2,700 for the option all the same.
Habitability
It smacks of the premium atmosphere inside our BMW i4 eDrive 40. We are far from the standards of minimalism practiced by Tesla. But those who are not against a certain minimalism specific to the Palo Alto firm will not be disappointed here either. Indeed the buttons can be counted almost on the fingers of one hand. At least on the center console, because the steering wheel also groups many controls.
The handling of the whole is done very quickly. On the steering wheel, the left controls are used to engage the limiter and other cruise control, and the right controls the infotainment functions. On the dashboard, there is just enough to quickly access climate functions, sound volume or change track/radio.
Finally on the central console, just next to the knob, there is the Start/Stop button in blue to start the car, just above three buttons allowing you to directly select the driving mode. On the right, we find the iDrive system wheel, with touch function, allowing you to control the infotainment very easily. Shortcuts take you to the desired menus, navigation, media, telephone, with one click.
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In terms of habitability, this BMW i4 is a real family car, both in the back with seats that accommodate two adults in the greatest comfort, except for the middle seat which will serve more as an extra. Note that the “coupé” side with the receding flag does not encumber the space above the head. The rear seat can be folded up in three parts, 40/20/40, ideal for bringing in large objects… As after our visit to a famous Swedish furniture store! Officially, the trunk offers 470 liters, with space under the floor to store the charging cable.
BMW i4Embedded technologies
When you enter this i4, the eye is immediately caught by this huge curved slab. It actually incorporates two separate screens, one 12.3 inches for instrumentation, the other 14.9 inches for infotainment.
We quickly get used to the different interfaces offered by the two screens, that of the instrumentation offering several configurations, but the information is always readable quickly. For the central screen, on the other hand, if the touchscreen fluidity of the panel is good, and the menus appear to be well presented, there are often too many sub-menus to access the desired functions. And navigation by tabs on the side, so dear to BMW, is not always optimal. Question of habit no doubt.
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As for the voice command, we had to do it several times to indicate our destination to the navigation. Before finally failing to validate it vocally. And it’s not the ambient noise – there wasn’t any – that spoiled the experience.
BMW i4Conduct
After having already tried the M50 version of nearly 550 horsepower, it’s time for the “small” i4 eDrive 40. On the menu of the Gen5 engine, an engine developing 340 horsepower (250 kW) and a torque of 430 Nm. More than 200 horsepower less than the big sister, but a 0 to 100 km / h which nevertheless requires only 5.7 seconds. We are far from anemia!
It must be said that with a single engine against two for the higher version, it also loses a little weight. Finally, we still exceed the two tons with 2,050 kg empty. The maximum speed does not exceed 190 km/h.
When accelerating, the BMW i4 eDrive 40 gives a real feeling of power, the artificial sound signed by composer Hans Zimmer supporting the sensation, without ever being intrusive. The 19-inch rims do not affect comfort, the air suspensions smooth out the irregularities of the road well and the driving position is very pleasant. Although perhaps a little low for some.
Several driving modes are accessible directly via the central console: Eco Pro, Comfort and Sport. For regenerative braking, nothing is directly accessible. Apart from Brake mode – by tilting the Drive lever to the left – there is no possibility here of playing paddles behind the steering wheel to modulate the recovery of energy during braking. You have to go into the infotainment menus to change the intensity. A tip: add a shortcut on the home page!
During our test, the BMW i4 eDrive 40 proved to be particularly comfortable traveling in complete serenity over long distances. Indeed, during a first trip of 350 km, three quarters of which on the highway, the coupe sedan had a consumption of 20 kWh/100 km. And on arrival, the car still showed 130 km of autonomy, knowing that we just recharged five minutes (battery) on an Ionity terminal during a break. Five minutes during which we will have recovered 11 kWh, 14% battery, and 77 km on the range counter.
The same trip in the opposite direction will have confirmed the good autonomy. Consumption fell on this route, also mainly on the highway, to 18.7 kWh/100 km.
BMW i4Autonomy, battery and charging
As for the battery, the BMW i4 eDrive 40 is equipped with the same pack as the i4 M50, namely 80.7 kWh net (83.9 kWh gross). Autonomy is announced for 590 km in the WLTP cycle, very close to what the Tesla Model 3 Grande Autonomie which announces 626 km.
There is still a slight reservation to take into account: the configuration of the car. If the autonomy announced by Tesla concerns the 18-inch rims, with the optional 19-inch rims, it drops to 602 km. Ditto for the BMW for which the 590 km are announced for the optimal configuration, therefore without the M pack, but with the optional 17-inch aero alloy wheels at 350 euros. It is the latter which make it possible, in the WLTP cycle, to achieve the combined consumption of 16.1 kWh per 100 km. Our 18-inch aero rims, as beautiful as they are, are homologated for a slightly higher combined consumption of 16.4 kWh.
As for charging, our BMW i4 eDrive 40 can accept up to 210 kW peak, allowing the manufacturer to charge from 10 to 80% in just 31 minutes. We also recall that BMW is part of the Ionity consortium and offers preferential rates to its customers.
As fast charging is generally not the most common, let’s take a look at the other charging speeds and times: to stay on direct current, at 50 kW it takes 1h15 to go from 10 to 80%. In alternating current, count respectively 1 p.m. and 8:15 a.m. on a 7.4 kW Wallbox or on an 11 kW public load. Finally, with a 10 Amp domestic socket, it takes more than 43 hours.
BMW i4Price
The BMW i4 eDrive 40 comes to the German manufacturer’s configurator at a price just under the fateful bar of €60,000, or €59,950 to be exact. Enough to benefit from the bonus of 2000 € on purchase. It’s 40 € less than a Tesla Model Grande Autonomie, with a much more premium presentation but without the Supercharger network.
At this price, the German is well equipped, with front LED headlights and LED rear lights, automatic air conditioning, the double “BMW Curved Display” panel and the BMW OS 8.0 operating system, the camera recoil or the cruise control. The 11 kW AC Recharge is also included, as well as the DC capacity up to 210 kW and the heat pump used both to precondition the battery and to precondition the cabin.
Our test model was also equipped with leatherette upholstery at 400 euros, white paint at 1,090 euros, rims at 2,700 euros and ACC Plus active cruise control at 550 euros. Wireless induction charging, standard on a Tesla Model 3, is charged here at 250 euros. In all, our model flirted with 67,000 euros.